NEWSMAKERS: ‘Spider-Man’ stunt double falls to stage

NEWSMAKERS

‘Spider-Man’ stunt double falls to stage

NEW YORK

The troubled Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” was plagued by its fourth accident since it began previews last month when an actor performing an aerial stunt fell about 30 feet, fire officials said. Firefighters were called to the Foxwoods Theatre at about 10:45 p.m. Monday after the 31-year-old actor fell near the end of the latest preview performance. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Police did not release the actor’s name, but a performer in the show identified him as Christopher Tierney. Tierney is the show’s main aerialist and performs stunts for the roles of Spider-Man, and the villains Meeks and Kraven.

On Friday, the shows lead producer Michael Cohl delayed the shows official opening for the second time, pushing it back 27 days, from Jan. 11 to Feb. 7.

Palace: Zara Phillips engaged to be married

LONDON

Prince William and Kate Middleton will soon have company on the royal wedding calendar. Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest granddaughter, is engaged. Phillips, an accomplished equestrian, will marry longtime boyfriend Mike Tindall, the palace said.

No date has been set yet. Phillips is close to her cousin, Prince William, who plans to marry Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29. Phillips, 29, is 12th in line to the throne.

Phillips is the daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, who divorced in 1992.

Rehab staffer claims assault by Lohan

LOS ANGELES

Lindsay Lohan is under investigation for an alleged misdemeanor battery against a female staffer at a rehab facility where the actress is receiving treatment, authorities said Tuesday. Riverside County sheriff’s Deputy Herlinda Valenzuela said officers responded to a Betty Ford Center facility in Palm Desert on Dec. 12 shortly after 1 a.m. for an incident involving Lohan.

Valenzuela says a female staffer reported having a dispute with Lohan and that she wanted to pursue charges. No arrests were made, and Valenzuela says detectives continue to look into the case.

Their results will be presented to Riverside County prosecutors, who will decide whether to file a criminal case, Valenzuela said.

Lohan has been at the Betty Ford Center since September.