Abraham stars off-Broadway in Brecht's 'Galileo'

Theatergoers arriving at Classic Stage Company's new off-Broadway production of Bertolt Brecht's "Galileo" might feel like they instead wandered into a space show at the Hayden Planetarium.

Jagger sizes up Obama's singing as 'courageous'

The reviews are in, and Mick Jagger sizes up President Barack Obama's singing of the blues this week as nothing short of "courageous."

'Idol' unveils Top 24 with a twist

It's good news for 25 â€" not just 24 â€" singers on "American Idol."

Capsule reviews of new movie releases

In this high-quality recruitment video, sissy things like plot and character development have been chased out of the theater as if by a barking drill sergeant. Instead of narrative and story, the film takes its propulsion from its verisimilitude. Directed by Mike "Mouse" McCoy and Scott Waugh, it was made in collaboration with the Navy, and stars active duty SEALs in missions based on real ones. The action revolves around the abduction of a CIA agent (Roselyn Sanchez) in Costa Rica following a terrorist explosion at a school in Indonesia. The SEALs are dispatched to a rescue mission in Costa Rica, which unspools a global terrorist plot that stretches to Somalia, Mexico and â€" if they don't act fast â€" the United States. The main thrill of the film, which was written by Kurt Johnstad ("300"), is its action pieces. The SEALs' sheer mastery of a skill â€" their seriousness of purpose and deep pride in their work â€" can make its own drama. But "Act of Valor" is just as much a fiction as anything Hollywood can create. It's a flashy piece of patriotic propaganda that by exalting the SEALs as supermen, kills their humanity amid the old cliches of action movies. R for strong violence including some torture and for language. 101 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.

Met abandons Bondy 'Rigoletto' for Vegas version

The Metropolitan Opera has abandoned a new production of Verdi's "Rigoletto" by director Luc Bondy, whose grim version of Puccini's "Tosca" provoked intense booing when it opened the 2009-10 season. In its place, the company will present a far more radical reinterpretation that relocates the action to Ratpack-era Las Vegas of 1960.

Danza back in Philly to host fundraiser for school

Actor Tony Danza says he's disheartened by the reality of major budget cuts this year in the district of a Philadelphia high school where he starred in a reality TV show.

Miami Beach police check Brown phone theft claim

Police on Thursday were investigating a woman's claim that singer Chris Brown stole her iPhone outside a South Beach nightclub when she tried to take a picture of him.

Billy Gardell: heavyset hero of 'Mike & Molly'

It's a birthday for Mike Biggs, the goodhearted, heavyset hero of "Mike & Molly," and Molly Flynn, his plus-size love, presents him with the cake.

Baryshnikov shows his dance photography in Miami

The dancer in the photograph isn't frozen in time. Her body is the source of light on a darkened stage, and with a blur of muscle, she's dancing straight at the viewer who has stepped into her moment.

Do French parents have a certain je ne sais quoi?

So you're visiting someone's home with your child and hot chocolate is served. As the hostess's kids sip the delicious concoction politely and silently, your own little dear takes a gulp and promptly spits it back into the mug.

AP Interview: Oscar nominee Demian Bichir

Demian Bichir learned an important lesson when he left his native Mexico to launch a U.S. acting career and ended up working in a Mexican restaurant in New York: How to live the invisible life of an illegal immigrant with dignity.

Firth, Portman, Bale, Leo to present at Oscars

All four acting winners from last year's Academy Awards are returning to this weekend's Oscars as presenters.

J.K. Rowling has deal for new novel for adults

Adult fans of J.K. Rowling can rejoice: She has a new novel coming, for grownups.

Rocking horse boy unveiled in Trafalgar Square

Adm. Horatio Nelson has a new neighbor in London's Trafalgar Square â€" a boy on a rocking horse.

It's a princess! Female heir born in Sweden

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria gave birth to her first child Thursday, a baby girl who will one day become queen, prompting banner headlines and 21-gun salutes across the country.

Nostalgic Oscars party like it's the 1920s again

It's only the 84th year of the Academy Awards, yet the nostalgia factor feels as though Hollywood is celebrating a centennial of some sort.

Orangutan captivated at 'Born to Be Wild' showing

One of the orangutans starring in the IMAX film "Born to Be Wild" has been treated to a special jungle screening in Indonesia â€" and was captivated until the trumpet of elephants scared her off.

Disney Fantasy Sets Sail For New York

BREMERHAVEN, Germany — The brand new cruise ship Disney Fantasy set sail Thursday for New York with a fireworks salute on its first voyage after sea trials in January. The Fantasy was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenberg, Germany, the second of two...

British music 'mashup' at Olympic closing ceremony

The closing ceremony for 2012 London Olympics will be themed "A Symphony of British Music" â€" with organizers promising a hit-packed journey from classical composer Edward Elgar to Grammy soul diva Adele.

United Airlines Policy Change Could Cost Pet Owners Thousands

On March 3, United Airlines and its subsidiaries will change the way they transport pets. And although the airline’s fees for transporting animals are in line with what other carriers charge, the change could end up costing pet owners thousands of dollars. The change in policy...

Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Crowned World’s Hottest Pepper

Although it might look like a sweet red pepper that spent too much time in the sun, don’t be fooled by the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, crowned the hottest chile pepper in the world by experts at New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute. Director of...

‘Babyccino’ Buzz Kill

Mildly Inappropriate Mommy presents an exercise in parenting journalism… I’m still somewhat new to the parenting beat, but one thing I’ve been quick to notice is that some parenting news item can spread quicker than pink eye in a playground. Case in point: What outlet...

Singer Jason Crabb gets 8 Dove Awards nominations

Singer Jason Crabb grabbed eight nominations for the Dove Awards, leading the way for the gospel and Christian music show that will be held in Atlanta for the second year in a row.

Valentine’s Day Birth Sparks ‘Baby Daddy’ Mystery at Chimp Reserve

It’s a storyline tailor-made for Jerry Springer, Maury Povich or even an episode of “The Bachelor.”  Except this “who’s your daddy” mystery involves an unlikely quintet of five very hairy, four-legged suitors. It all began, appropriately enough, Valentine’s Day when Flora, a 29-year-old female chimp...

Stella McCartney shakes up fashion show

Stella McCartney shook up the fashion world Saturday night by using a flash mob approach for a presentation of her evening wear.

Stella McCartney shakes up fashion show

Stella McCartney shook up the fashion world Saturday night by using a flash mob approach for a presentation of her evening wear.

Cruise Ship Pricing Secrets for Value Vacations

Aboard Disney Fantasy, Off the Coast of Portugal — The cruise ship industry has seen explosive growth in the last decade as ever-larger ships have been added along with more amenities to attract a new breed of vacationers beyond the traditional market of honeymooners and...

AP NewsAlert

Maine Republican party chairman: Mitt Romney wins Maine caucuses

A nun, football coach and Marine going to Oscars

At least one person on the Oscars red carpet won't have to worry about what to wear: Mother Dolores Hart.

Rob Ackerman revives Emerson in 'Call Me Waldo'

Is there a place in the consciousness of the average, all-American worker for pure Emersonian idealism â€" a linchpin in the shaping of American thought and identity?

Nominados en premios Spirit revelan secretos de bajo presupuesto

Los premios Independent Spirit reconocen a lo mejor en el cine de bajo presupuesto, pero dentro de sus galardones hay uno especial para las películas con fondos aún más restringidos, el premios John Cassavetes para cintas hechas con menos de 500.000 dólares.

Nominado en premios Spirit revelan secretos de bajo presupuesto

Los premios Independent Spirit reconocen a lo mejor en el cine de bajo presupuesto, pero dentro de sus galardones hay uno especial para las películas con fondos aún más restringidos, el premios John Cassavetes para cintas hechas con menos de 500.000 dólares.

Sweden's crown princess gives birth to baby girl

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria gave birth to her first child early Thursday, a baby girl who will be groomed to one day become the country's queen.

Diego Torres enciende al público de Viña del Mar

Diego Torres dio el miércoles el "vamos" a la primera noche del Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar con un espectáculo de cerca de una hora y media de duración.