Entertainment Briefs for October 15, 2010
Bette Midler joins 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'
NEW YORK - Bette Midler has signed up to help produce the stage version of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert."The musical is adapted from the zany 1994 movie about a trio of drag queens traveling across the Australian outback in a bus.
Producer James L. Nederlander says of Midler: "We are thrilled that she wants to join us on the bus for this magnificent adventure."Midler made her Broadway debut in "Fiddler on the Roof" and has returned several times in concerts and revues.
"Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical" is currently in Toronto. It had its world premiere in Australia in 2006 and later was a hit in London. Previews in New York begin Feb. 28.It is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips.
Christina Aguilera and husband separate
LOS ANGELES - Christina Aguilera and her husband of nearly five years have separated.
The "Beautiful" singer says in a statement released Tuesday that she and husband Jordan Bratman's commitment to their 2-year-old son remains "as strong as ever."The Grammy Award winner's statement did not indicate when the couple split or whether either would file for divorce.
Court records in Los Angeles do not show any filing by either Aguilera or Bratman.The couple married in November 2005. Their split was first reported by US Weekly.
Michael Jackson video set to be released
NEW YORK - Michael Jackson's complete library of videos is being restored and rereleased, as well as a never-released clip for his song "One More Chance."
The "Michael Jackson's Vision" boxed set is due out on Nov. 22 and includes 4? hours worth of material, including the full version of "Black or White," which was cut short after its initial release due to violent imagery and Jackson's gyrations.Jackson made a short film for the song "One More Chance," but it was never released. He was charged with sexual molestation in 2003, right around the time the single was released. He was acquitted in that case.
Other videos include Martin Scorsese-directed "Bad" and his most famous video, "Thriller."