h‘American Idol’ trading cards coming

h‘American Idol’ trading cards coming

LOS ANGELES — “American Idol” fans will soon be able to trade Carrie Underwoods for Danny Gokeys.

“Idol” production company FremantleMedia and trading card publisher Upper Deck are launching a new line of trading cards featuring images of past and current contestants as well as the judges and host of the Fox singing competition. The 138-card line is set to debut April 21.

“The ‘American Idol’ brand has always been really strong in the interactive space,” said Nora Wong, FremantleMedia senior manager of consumer products. “With the trading cards, it’s an old school way of interacting with the fans. It’s another form of expression for the fans to demonstrate their connection with the show and collect their favorites.”

Six special cards autographed by past “Idols” will be randomly slipped into the five-card packs. Regular cards will feature rejected hopefuls such as William Hung and Nick Mitchell, past winners such as Ruben Studdard and David Cook, and popular finalists including Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson.

Dutton to play Loman in ‘Salesman’ at Yale

NEW YORK — Charles S. Dutton will star as Willy Loman in a 60th anniversary production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” opening April 30 at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, Conn.

The production will be directed by James Bundy, artistic head of Yale Rep. Kimberly Scott will portray Willy’s wife, Linda, and his two sons will be played by Ato Essandoh and Billy Eugene Jones.

Dutton was in the original Broadway production of August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

Preview performances begin April 24.

“Death of a Salesman” originally opened on Broadway in 1949 with Lee J. Cobb and Mildred Dunnock in the leading roles.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Karl Malden is 97. Composer Stephen Sondheim is 79. Actor William Shatner is 78. Actor M. Emmet Walsh is 74. Singer-guitarist George Benson is 66. News anchor Wolf Blitzer is 61. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 61. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 57. Singer-actress Stephanie Mills is 52. Actress Reese Witherspoon is 33. Drummer John Otto of Limp Bizkit is 32.