newsmakers

newsmakers

Cyndi Lauper urges support for Japan

TOKYO

Cyndi Lauper is admired in Japan for not running away after last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. Now, the American singer is back to show the Japanese people that she hasn’t forgotten them.

Lauper had arrived in Tokyo on March 11, 2011, just as the massive quake struck northern Japan. She stayed to perform her concerts as planned, even though fears of radiation from a tsunami-stricken nuclear power plant in Fukushima caused many other performers and visitors to flee. She said she stayed to console survivors with her music.

She’s now back in the country to perform again. Lauper said Monday that she is urging people to buy things from the disaster-hit areas to help people there get back on their feet.

Kerouac play to get its world premiere

NEW YORK

Jack Kerouac’s only full-length play will be staged for the first time this fall.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre and the University of Massachusetts Lowell said Monday — on what would have been Kerouac’s 90th birthday — that they will produce the three-act play called “Beat Generation” in the novelist’s hometown of Lowell, Mass.

The world premiere of the play — staged reading for eight performances only — is the centerpiece of the 2012 Jack Kerouac Literary Festival, which will be Oct. 10-14.

Kerouac wrote “Beat Generation” — which draws on his life and those of other Beat writers, including Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg — in 1957, the same year his classic “On the Road” was released.

Welsh opera star is ready for ‘Dancing’

LONDON

Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins may have a leg up on some of her “Dancing with the Stars” competitors: She’s already used to high heels.

The mezzo-soprano has been practicing for the show in London with professional partner Mark Ballas.

He says her preference for stilettos is an advantage because she is used to running around in shoes that are higher than ballroom shoes.

The two arrived in the U.S. on Monday to join the other competitors, who include “Family Matters” actor Jaleel White, singer Gladys Knight and National Football League player Donald Driver.

The new season of “Dancing With The Stars” airs Monday on ABC.

Associated Press