newsmakers

newsmakers

Sheen’s police escort is under investigation

WASHINGTON

Charlie Sheen is fond of boasting about his “winning” ways, but D.C. authorities now are investigating how he won a high-speed police escort on his way to a show in downtown Washington this week.

Sheen posted a photo on his Twitter account Tuesday night showing a police car ahead of him with emergency lights flashing as he was escorted at least part of the way from Dulles International Airport to his stage show, “Violent Torpedo of Truth: Defeat is Not an Option.” Sheen included a picture of a speedometer reaching about 80 mph and a message that read: “In car with Police escort in front and rear! Driving like someone’s about to deliver a baby! Cop car lights # Spinning!”

It was not clear exactly where along the route the photo was taken.

The former “Two and a Half Men” star was running nearly an hour late for the show after having spent the early part of his day in divorce court in Los Angeles for a custody hearing over the twin sons he shares with his estranged wife, Brooke Mueller.

The police escort is the latest bit of news for the celebrity actor, who’s waged a high-profile court fight to get his sitcom job back. He also has given a series of TV interviews in recent months that have launched phrases like “winning!” and “tiger blood” into the popular vernacular.

Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said the police department’s internal affairs unit is investigating the incident, but she would not comment further.

Schwartz serenaded by friends at gala

NEW YORK

At the end of a tough day, there’s nothing like being serenaded with your own compositions by Broadway’s top stars and getting a standing ovation for your life’s work from a glittery Lincoln Center crowd.

Stephen Schwartz, best known as the enormously successful composer behind “Godspell,” “Pippin” and, of course, the megahit “Wicked,” also is a fledgling opera composer, and his first effort, “Seance on a Wet Afternoon,” opened this week to decidedly mixed reviews.

But whatever headaches he may have suffered reading the morning papers must surely have melted by nightfall Thursday as Kristin Chenoweth, Raul Esparza, Ann Hampton Calloway and emcee Victor Garber celebrated his career during New York City Opera’s spring gala at the David H. Koch Theater. They were joined by two stars of his current opera, Lauren Flanigan and Todd Wilander.

The actors regaled the audience with anecdotes about the composer, and at one point, Chenoweth, the original Glinda in “Wicked,” became so choked up, she could barely sing the phrase, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good” — from “For Good,” the emotional climax to “Wicked.”

“Stop crying,” instructed Schwartz, ever the pragmatist, at the piano.

Esparza gave his all to perhaps Schwartz’s best-known song, “Defying Gravity,” the empowering anthem sung by the green witch Elphaba. He also sang two songs from the long-ago hit “Pippin,” and teamed up with Garber for a few numbers from another 1970s golden smash, “Godspell.” (Garber starred in the 1973 movie.)

As for Chenoweth, who recently starred in “Promises, Promises” and found TV fame in an occasional role on “Glee,” she sang the ever-popular “Popular” from “Wicked,” along with the wistful “Lion Tamer” from “The Magic Show.”

Paz de la Huerta sued over NYC bar ruckus

NEW YORK

First she was arrested. Now actress Paz de la Huerta has been sued by a former reality-TV figure she’s accused of attacking in a swanky New York City bar.

Samantha Swetra’s lawsuit says she was “maliciously assaulted, beaten and battered” by the “Boardwalk Empire” actress March 20. The suit was filed Friday.

De la Huerta’s lawyer says she’ll tell her side of the story in court, with “the real facts.”

De la Huerta has been charged with assault. Authorities say she punched Swetra in the face and hurled a glass that left cuts in Swetra’s leg. They were at a bar at the trendy Standard Hotel.

De la Huerta plays a lead character’s girlfriend in the HBO series. Swetra appeared on the MTV reality series “The City.”

Associated Press