newsmakers

April 13, 2010 at 12:16a.m.

newsmakers

Ferrera will be behind the scenes for show

NEW YORK

“Ugly Betty” will soon be over for its star, America Ferrera, but she’s got a new project in the works from behind the scenes. Ferrera will serve as executive producer of “Pedro & Maria,” a multicultural, interactive telenovela in development for MTV television and various Web platforms. The project was announced Monday by MTV and Electus, the multimedia studio created by the prolific producer and former NBC executive Ben Silverman.

“Pedro & Maria” is billed as a bilingual, modern-day version of “Romeo & Juliet” that will give its audience the ability to vote on the direction the characters and story lines take. No casting decisions or premiere date was announced for the project.

Domingo prepares post-surgery concert

MILAN

Spanish tenor Placido Domingo says the joy of returning to the stage is “immense” six weeks after surgery for colon cancer.

A healthy-looking Domingo told a news conference Monday that he is most happy that he is able “after everything, to continue my career.”

Domingo sings the lead role in Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala for six shows beginning Friday.

Domingo interrupted a busy international schedule after being struck with severe pain during concerts in Japan in February. He had surgery March 2 in New York.

Vatican makes peace with the Beatles

VATICAN CITY

The Vatican has finally made peace with the Beatles.

The Vatican newspaper says the members’ “dissolute” lives and John Lennon’s boastful claim that the band was more popular than Jesus are in the past, though their music lives on.

Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano paid tribute to the Fab Four in its weekend editions, with two articles and a front-page cartoon reproducing the crosswalk immortalized on the cover of the band’s album “Abbey Road.”

The tribute marked the 40th anniversary of the band’s breakup.

It is not the first time the Vatican has praised the legendary band from Liverpool. Two years ago, it praised the “White Album,” and last month it included “Revolver” in its top-10 albums.

Marilyn Monroe items on the block

LOS ANGELES

Just when you thought every last bit of Marilyn Monroe had been put up for auction, including the crypt above hers at a local cemetery, along comes the couch from her shrink’s office. Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions says the psychiatric sofa will be offered June 26-27 during the Hollywood Legends auction at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas. Other Monroe-abilia up for grabs: her Chanel No. 5, personal photos, bank statements, scripts, signed checks and the chair used in the star’s final photo shoot.