NEWSMAKERS || Rare anatomical drawings on display at Pa. hospital

Rare anatomical drawings on display at Pa. hospital

PHILADELPHIA — Rare anatomical drawings that once belonged to Benjamin Franklin are on display in a new exhibit at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

The 16 pastel drawings were cutting edge in their day. They show internal organs, bones and muscles of male and female subjects.

They were given as a gift to Franklin in 1762 from a doctor in England and have been in storage. Franklin founded Pennsylvania Hospital.

The drawings were done by a Dutch artist regarded in his day as one of Europe’s best medical illustrators.

Simpson-Wentz to take Roxie role in ‘Chicago’

NEW YORK — Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is ready to show some razzle-dazzle on Broadway.

The pop singer, who was recently booted from “Melrose Place,” is set to play Roxie Hart in the long-running musical revival of “Chicago.”

Producer Barry Weissler says Simpson-Wentz will join the production Nov. 30 for a 10-week engagement ending in early February. The performer played Roxie in the London production of “Chicago” in 2006.

Among her best-selling singles are such songs as “Pieces of Me,” “Boyfriend” and “L.O.V.E.”

She is married to musician Pete Wentz.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Robert Vaughn (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”) is 77. Actor Michael Callan is 74. Comedian-director Terry Gilliam (Monty Python) is 69. Actor Tom Conti is 68. Singer Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods) is 68. Guitarist-actor Little Steven (The E Street Band, “The Sopranos”) is 59. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is 51. Actress Mariel Hemingway is 48. Drummer Chris Fryar of Zac Brown Band is 39. Actress Scarlett Johannson is 25.