Entertainment category, Page 355
How will ‘Empire’ handle Jussie Smollett’s character’s departure?
Although it was officially announced that FX’s popular hip-hop series “Empire” was ending its final season, no one really knew how the Lee Daniels-created drama would handle the departure of one of its biggest stars. In the aftermath of the legal woes surrounding Jussie Smollett following accusations he fabricated a...
6 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Aug. 9-11Video
The dog days of summer are upon us. We have a few ways to celebrate here in Westmoreland County … one more literal than the others. Rock on This ain’t your father’s Celtic band! No, this is Seven Nations. And these hard-drivin’ rockers will take over Greensburg’s St. Clair Park...
Former teen idol crooners share The Palace Theatre stageVideo
Actor and singer Frankie Avalon and Western Pennsylvania native Lou Christie will bring decades of performing talent to The Palace Theatre in Greensburg for an upcoming show. The two will take the stage for a Sept. 15 concert presented by Latshaw Productions. Avalon, 78, a Philadelphia native, is known for...
Review: Dorky hero shines in ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’Video
These days, there’s no intellectual property that hasn’t been mined for a big-budget, live-action Hollywood remake. But the adaptation of the popular educational kiddie cartoon “Dora the Explorer” into the summer-friendly romp “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a no-brainer. The beloved character of Dora, with whom Gen...
Review: Mob wives show they mean business in ‘The Kitchen’Video
It’s two-thirds of the way through “The Kitchen” before anyone asks Kathy Brennan (Melissa McCarthy) what, exactly, she wants. It’s her son, at the dinner table. We’ve seen Kathy struggle and scrape by to survive, utterly sick of depending on and thanking men for her existence. We’ve seen her turn...
‘Mr. McFeely’ to be honored at regional Emmy Awards
David Newell — best known as Mr. McFeely, the “Speedy Delivery” man of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” — is the recipient of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 2019 Board of Governors Award. The award will be presented at the 37th annual Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards...
Milo Ventimiglia says he was told he’s too old to play Batman
Milo Ventimiglia always wanted to play Batman, but discovered people think he’s too old. Speaking on “Morning Mash Up” on SiriusXM on Wednesday to promote his new movie, “The Art Of Racing In The Rain,” the 42-year-old actor talked about his desire to play Batman. He said that he talked...
Weird, wonderful ‘BH90210’ winks at its fansVideo
Who says you can’t go home again? Those paraphrased words were uttered last night by Jennie Garth at the end of the latest TV time machine — the “BH90210” on Fox. You remember Jennie Garth, right? Kelly Taylor? “Beverly Hills, 90210?” Yes, that’s the one. As billed by Fox: Jason...
Willie Nelson cancels tour, cites ‘breathing problem’
NEW YORK — Willie Nelson has canceled his tour because of a “breathing problem.” The 86-year-old singer apologized on Twitter late Wednesday, writing “I need to have my doctor check out.” Nelson had just finished performing with Alison Krauss in Toledo, Ohio, and he was next scheduled to appear Friday...
Entertainment planner: Aug. 8-21
Thursday Aug. 8 The Bricks, TGIS free concert, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg. 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org “Cabaret,” Little Lake Theatre, Canonsburg. Through Aug. 24. 724-745-7300 or littlelake.org “Violeta,” Quantum Theatre production, Frick Park lawn bowling greens, Pittsburgh. Through Aug. 25. 412-362-1713 or quantumtheatre.com Friday Aug. 9 500 Miles to Memphis, The...
Bryan Adams ‘shines a light’ on 4 decades of musicVideo
“Shine A Light,” the title track of Bryan Adams’ new album, was co-written with prolific collaborator, English musician Ed Sheeran. “I met Ed in Dublin this year at one of his shows and we kept in touch,” Adams said in a tour press release. “One day I sent him a...
Freeport Theatre Festival performs classic ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’
“Arsenic and Old Lace” is one of those killer classics. Written by Joseph Kesselring, two maiden aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, have a curious charity. They poison lonely, elderly gentlemen with homemade elderberry wine spiked with arsenic, in order to put them out of their misery. Set in 1941, the...
‘Grease’ is the word at Scottdale’s Geyer
Actors and Artists of Fayette County takes audiences back to those fabulous ‘50s with its production of the popular Broadway musical “Grease” Aug. 15-18 at Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale. Will Dixon of Greensburg is directing the 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey that made John Travolta...
Ladies who lunch — err, sip — take center stage at Apple HIll Playhouse
It’s amazing what determination and the occasional liquid refreshment can do to successfully make friends from strangers. Apple Hill Playhouse’s production of “The Savannah Sipping Society” Aug. 15-25 at the Delmont theater brings together four middle-aged Southern women with very little in common who in six months turn their lives...
Stage Right to host auditions for 2019-20 professional season
In its 2019-20 performance season, Stage Right’s Greensburg theater company will have audiences partying under the sea, doing a dance called the “Time Warp” and delivering newspapers in turn-of-the-century New York City. But first, they’ll need some actors. Auditions for the upcoming season will take place Aug. 24 at the...
Fox: Jussie Smollett won’t be on final season on ‘Empire’
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Fox Entertainment chief Charlie Collier says Jussie Smollett won’t be back on “Empire.” Collier, speaking to TV critics Wednesday, affirmed series co-creator Lee Daniels’ decision to drop Smollett from the drama’s upcoming final season. Daniels had initially supported Smollett after the actor claimed he suffered a...
Fox chief says Emmy Awards won’t have a host this year
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The Oscars did it, and now the Emmys will too. There will be no host at the ceremony honoring TV’s best next month. Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said Wednesday that going hostless allows more time to salute departing shows, including “Game of Thrones.” The HBO...
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival ranks high for vendor profit
The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival has been ranked as the nation’s 15th most profitable classic and contemporary craft show for 2018 by “Sunshine Artist” magazine, a leading publication for art and craft show exhibitors, promoters and patrons. The magazine’s 27th annual “200 Best” list, released today, says it was...
Fans launch ‘Save The OA’ campaign hours after Netflix pulls the plugVideo
“The OA” is officially DOA but its devoted fan base refuses to let it die. Hours after the sci-fi thriller — Netflix’s creepier, weirder cousin of “Stranger Things” — was canceled, “OA” devotees on Twitter launched a “Save the OA” campaign. The streaming service pulled the plug on the Brit...
‘The Rookie’ star Afton Williamson identifies actor she says harassed her
One day after Afton Williamson abruptly announced she had quit the “The Rookie” due to sexual harassment, she turned to social media Tuesday to urge other victims of abuse to speak out. Monday, Williamson, 34, claimed costar Demetrius Grosse, who plays Detective Kevin Wolfe on the ABC cop drama, had...
Latrobe Art Center has fall classes for all ages, skill levels
The fall lineup of art classes for all ages and skill levels will begin in September at the Latrobe Art Center. Two new classes are designed to create more interest in art among middle to high school students. Instructor Sharon Coons was an art teacher for 30 years, says center...
The Regrettes bring fun power punk to Pittsburgh
Lydia Night was just a toddler when it became obvious that she was destined to be a rock singer. At the age of 2, she was singing the Ramones song “Beat on the Brat” for the soundcheck at her father’s nightclub in New Orleans, where she was born. By 6,...
Artists converge in You Are Here ‘Bat Country’ exhibit
Three regional artists, along with a West Coast artist, will exhibit some unusual and eye-popping creations in an upcoming show at You Are Here, 406 Clay Ave., Jeannette. Participating in the joint and a “little off kilter” exhibit, “Bat Country,” are artists Nora Thompson, Brian McCall, Johnny Dismal and Dominic...
‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette,’ filmed in New Kensington and Pittsburgh, coming to theatersVideo
After several delays, a movie filmed in New Kensington and other Pittsburgh-area locations two years ago is coming to theaters. ”Where’d You Go, Bernadette” is being released Aug. 16 but will hit area theaters — including Cinemark at the Pittsburgh Mills, AMC at the Waterfront in West Homestead, and Regal...
The Clarks to play annual Big Brothers Big Sisters benefitVideo
The Clarks will take the stage at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre on Oct. 19 for the band’s annual benefit concert for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. The band’s latest release came in May — “Between Now and Then, Volume 2,” featuring all of the original members, is a...
