Ashanti to make stage debut in ‘The Wiz’

Ashanti to make stage debut in ‘The Wiz’

NEW YORK — Ashanti is going down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz.

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter will make her stage debut this summer as Dorothy in a revival of “The Wiz,” the soul-tinged version of the classic L. Frank Baum story. The musical will play June 12 through July 5 at New York City Center as part of its “Encores! Summer Stars” series. Opening night is June 18.

Chesney to tape session for ‘Austin City Limits’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kenny Chesney will tape an episode of public television’s popular show “Austin City Limits” to air sometime in the fall.

A spokesman for Chesney says the 41-year-old country singer will tape the program May 12 in Austin, Texas.

Chesney joins a long list of recording artists to appear on the show, including Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

Chesney will release his second greatest hits collection May 19.

McCain will host AMC’s war hero film marathon

NEW YORK — John McCain will be the host of AMC cable network’s Memorial Day weekend marathon of movies celebrating war heroes.

The former prisoner of war and Republican presidential candidate will introduce movies like “Midway,” “Patton,” “The Longest Day,” “Hamburger Hill,” “Tora! Tora! Tora!” and “Battle of the Bulge.”

McCain says the most interesting thing he’s found about heroes is that “they’re the last people to believe that they’re really heroes.”

The Arizona senator was held captive in Hanoi for more than five years after his plane was shot down during the Vietnam War.

Today’s birthdays

Folk singer Pete Seeger is 90. Actress Ann B. Davis (“The Brady Bunch”) is 83. Singer Frankie Valli is 75. Sports announcer Greg Gumbel is 63. Singer Christopher Cross is 58. Country singer Brad Martin is 36. Dancer Cheryl Burke (“Dancing With The Stars”) is 25.