The Tony Awards kick off with a big, Pink-led opening number and a win for John Lithgow
NEW YORK (AP) — Pink has kicked off her first-time hosting of the Tony Awards with an energetic rendition of “Lady Marmalade.” John Lithgow won the first award of the night for best lead actor in a play for his role in “Giant.” This marks his third Tony win. Pink started the show with a playful stunt, but Neil Patrick Harris advised her to be herself. The night will feature performances from nominees like “Schmigadoon!” and “Death of a Salesman.” Qween Jean made history as the first openly trans Tony winner for costume design. Twenty-four shows are vying for awards across 26 categories.
'Scary Movie' tops box office, slaying 'Masters of the Universe' and adding to low-budget streak
NEW YORK (AP) — The summer box office is booming — but not because of the usual suspects. After three weeks of indie horror dominance at the box office, the slasher spoof “Scary Movie” topped ticket sales with $55 million over the weekend, easily besting the far-from-mighty “Masters of the Universe.” The sixth “Scary Movie” notched a franchise-best $105.5 million global launch. After just two weeks of release, “Backrooms” became A24's highest grossing release ever. It's made $212 million worldwide. Focus Features’ “Obsession” grossed $25.6 million in its fourth weekend. That marked a slight 7% drop from the previous weekend for 26-year-old Curry Barker’s horror sensation. Not accounting for inflation, no horror movie has ever had a better fourth weekend.
From Ben Stiller to Fat Joe, the Knicks' celebrity fans get to work at NBA Finals practice
NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Brown thought he was finished with his news conference Sunday when a voice called out from the back of the interview room. Fat Joe wanted the mic. The rapper gave the New York Knicks coach some grief about the kind of sneakers he wears, then asked for an autographed pair if they win the championship, as the team’s celebrity fans got into the action during a practice day at the NBA Finals. Actor Ben Stiller also was at Madison Square Garden, taking video and meeting the coach for the first time. Fat Joe said the Knicks' first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 has united the city.
‘Ragtime’ is still resonating with audiences 30 years since its Broadway debut
New York (AP) — It's been nearly 30 years since Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for “Ragtime,” the American epic musical about the intertwining lives of three New York families at the turn of the 20th century. This could be the year that the show takes home a best show award at the Tonys. With 11 nods, it's up against “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and “The Rocky Horror Show” in the best revival category. The cast and creative team say part of why it is resonating is because the audience now sees it as a contemporary story, instead of a period piece.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledges stiff competition with Bad Bunny in Spain and weighs in on soccer rivalry
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV acknowledges that he's competing with another VIP in Madrid this weekend. Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny is performing two shows in the Spanish capital. Leo spoke with reporters aboard the papal plane before his arrival in Madrid on Saturday morning. Leo noted the Bad Bunny draw but also mentioned a newfound spiritual awakening among young people in Spain. He hopes his visit might help "awaken" something in them. Leo begins a weeklong visit to Spain, including stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands. He also commented on the Chicago Bears' plans to move to Indiana, joking it's “out of my pay” scale.
Senior British royals gather as King Charles' nephew marries nurse Harriet Sperling
King Charles III, Queen Camilla and other senior British royals were among guests attending the wedding of Charles' nephew, Peter Phillips. Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, married Harriet Sperling, a nurse with the National Health Service, in Kemble, southwestern England on Saturday. More than 100 guests, including Prince William, Princess Catherine, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, joined the celebration. The bride wore a high-neck lace gown by Emilia Wickstead. Well-wishers cheered as the bride and royals arrived. After the ceremony, guests held umbrellas in heavy rain to throw rose petals over the couple. Phillips' engagement to Sperling was announced last year.
Judge tosses Kennedy Center suit against musician who canceled Christmas Eve show
Attorneys for musician Chuck Redd said on Friday that a D.C. Superior Court judge had dismissed a breach of contract lawsuit filed against Redd after he canceled a Christmas Eve performance at the Kennedy Center in protest of President Donald Trump’s influence over the venue. The dismissal was granted under Washington’s Anti-SLAPP laws, which are designed to prevent meritless lawsuits intended to silence opposing points of view on matters of public interest. Representatives for the Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit’s dismissal.
Pearl Jam bassist Ament highlights skateboarding's impact in Indigenous communities in Tribeca film
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has been passionate about skateboarding since his teenage years in Montana. Inspired by a trip to California, he built ramps with his dad and competed in contests. Now, he funds world-class skate parks in Montana focusing on small communities and reservations. His efforts are highlighted in "Paving the Way," a documentary premiering Sunday at the Tribeca Festival. The film showcases skateboarding's impact on creativity and community, especially among Indigenous youth. Meanwhile, Pearl Jam plans to headline the Ohana Festival in September, introducing a new drummer after Matt Cameron's departure.
Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' song is a return to pop country
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift has released a new song for Disney and Pixar's “Toy Story 5.” The track, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” marks a soft return to her country-pop roots. Swift doesn’t sing with a familiar twang on “I Knew It, I Knew You,” but that's all right. The song features some elements inextricable from the country genre like live instrumentation, plucky banjo and harmonica that opens the track. The song is co-produced by Jack Antonoff, her frequent collaborator. Last weekend, billboards with “TS” appeared in major cities, hinting at the release. Fans are speculating it could be an Oscar contender, bringing her closer to an EGOT.
Wrestling matches provide an action-packed story time at US libraries, in photos
BENICIA, Calif. (AP) — “Lucha Libro,” a high-energy, action-packed story time is bringing live wrestling matches to libraries across the U.S. to promote literacy. Founded in 2024, “Lucha Libro” plays off the name of the popular Mexican-inspired sport of Lucha Libre. Libro means book in Spanish. Over 40 events are planned this year at libraries from California to New Jersey.
