'Rent' musical celebrates its 30th Broadway anniversary with a starry show: 'No day but today'

NEW YORK (AP) — The iconic musical "Rent" is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special benefit performance. Original cast members, including Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp, are returning to the stage Monday. The event will be livestreamed, with proceeds going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. "Rent," inspired by Puccini’s “La Boheme,” explores themes of poverty, drug use, and AIDS in New York's East Village. It won multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Rapp says the show has inspired many modern musicals and continues to resonate with audiences. Jonathan Larson, the creator, died in 1996 before seeing its success.

Why big music stars like Harry Styles and Celine Dion are embracing residencies

NEW YORK (AP) — Harry Styles' residency at Madison Square Garden has drawn tens of thousands of fans eager for an exclusive experience. His run is the latest in a trend. Residencies are growing among pop stars, with artists like Bad Bunny, Usher and Carín León embracing the style of performance. Residency pioneer Celine Dion has also returned to the format. Industry insiders say residencies offer benefits like reduced travel stress and elaborate stage productions. However, some fans argue that costs are shifted to them, with high ticket prices and travel expenses to see the shows. While residencies provide artists a break from touring, experts emphasize the importance of traditional tours to reach fans who can't travel.

Eleanor Coppola died before she could finish ‘Making Marie Antoinette.’ Sofia saw it through.

Eleanor Coppola shot 80 hours of behind-the-scenes footage during the making of “Marie Antoinette” in 2005. Her daughter, Sofia Coppola, directed the film. During COVID lockdowns, she revisited the footage and saw the potential to make a feature documentary. Although Eleanor passed away in April 2024, Sofia finished the project. “Making Marie Antoinette” is now playing in select theaters. It will be streaming on Mubi on Nov. 6. The film offers an intimate look at filmmaking and highlights Eleanor's artistic vision. Sofia hopes it showcases her mother's talent and dedication to capturing real moments.

What are ya — yellow? The rubber duck carries filaments of American history in its 'feathers'

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s not just a squishy noisemaker. The rubber duck is an American invention with a deep and rich past. The cute, often yellow toys have seen a resurgence in recent years, especially in tourist shops from the U.S. Open to Buckingham Palace, and are beloved across the world. The duck’s origin story was forged in fire, according to popular lore. Charles Goodyear, inventor of vulcanized rubber, is said to have shaped leftover rubber into a duck as a chew toy for dogs and a teething aid for babies.

Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning actor with roles in 'Picket Fences,' 'Alien' and 'Top Gun,' dies at 93

NEW YORK (AP) — An Emmy-winning actor known for roles in “Top Gun” and “Picket Fences,” Tom Skerritt has died at 93. His family said in a statement he died Wednesday of natural causes. Skerritt won an Emmy for “Picket Fences” in 1993 and was known for roles in “Turning Point,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Contact.” He was once described as a character actor in a leading man’s body. Skerritt also performed onstage, including in “Our Town” and “A Time to Kill.” His family highlighted his passion for storytelling and helping others.

Inflation at the movies: Runtimes are longer, from 'The Odyssey' to 'You Can See Everything'

NEW YORK (AP) — Your bladder isn’t lying. Movies are getting longer. Films from big-budget spectacles to art house dramas are stretching their runtimes. It’s an old saying that a short movie can feel long and a long movie can feel short. But data, not just bathroom runs, show us that inflation is real at the movies. A study shows that the average length of a wide-release movie has grown from 106 to 114 minutes over the last 45 years. For most who regularly go to the movie theater, this isn’t surprising. It’s become a regular feature of the prerelease anticipation of a movie: How long is it?

Children's singer Raffi on his 50-year career, screen time and Ms. Rachel

The beloved children's musician Raffi continues to charm audiences with his timeless songs. Fifty years after his debut children's album, his music remains a staple for young children. Raffi's latest album, “Love is Everywhere,” comes out Friday. It features songs celebrating everything from individuality to the importance of voting. He believes that while technology changes, the essence of childhood remains the same. In an interview with The Associated Press, Raffi emphasized the importance of protecting children's development from excessive technology. He also discussed his commitment to not exploiting children through advertising and how it caused him to turn down a movie offer for “Baby Beluga.”

John Anderson, country music star whose hits included 'Wild and Blue,' dies at 71

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson has died at age 71. His family announced his death Wednesday on his social media accounts. Anderson was known for his high, yearning vocal style and hits such as “Swingin’,” “Wild and Blue,” and “Black Sheep.” Born in Apopka, Florida, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, after high school. He worked odd jobs before his commercial breakthrough in 1977. Anderson was a “New Traditionalist,” sometimes compared to George Jones and Merle Haggard. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024 and won two Country Music Association awards.

John Legend on Pharrell’s musical push, Jay-Z’s praise and new creative challenges with ‘Muse’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay-Z once called John Legend “our voice,” but Pharrell Williams had a different idea for Legend's baritone. On his new album, “Muse,” Legend dials back his powerhouse vocals, opting for a more conversational delivery at Williams’ urging. The album, out Friday, marks Legend’s first full collaboration with Williams after more than 20 years of friendship. Recorded mostly at Williams’ studio in Paris, it grew from Legend’s appearance on Clipse’s “The Birds Don’t Sing.” In an interview, Legend discussed Williams’ influence, Jay-Z’s compliment and composing his first original stage score for a new musical.

Paweł Pawlikowski, master of the 90-minute movie, returns with 'Fatherland'

NEW YORK (AP) — Storytelling economy can be in short supply at the movies. But Paweł Pawlikowski has made a career out of a concision that now seems almost radical. His last three films — “Ida,” “Cold War” and his latest, “Fatherland” — are all 90 minutes or less. Each is shot in black and white, in a boxy academy ratio. And none has a single ounce of fat on it. In an era where three-hour movies are commonplace, the 69-year-old Polish filmmaker has refined a style of less is more. His movies are brief but unhurried, lean yet profound. “Fatherland,” starring Sandra Hüller, opens in select theaters Friday.