NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Protesters shout at fans as Cosby takes stage

KITCHENER, Ontario

Bill Cosby got a standing ovation from polite Canadian fans at the end of his first show since November, but protesters outside braved below-freezing weather to shame the ticket-holders as they streamed in.

Cosby’s show in Kitchener was the first of three performances planned in Canada’s Ontario province and come in the wake of sexual-assault allegations from more than 15 women. The entertainer saw at least 10 performances get canceled on his North American tour.

Wearing a sweater saying “hello friend,” Cosby climbed the stage decorated with two giant posters of him with Nelson Mandela. Some in the audience gave loud whoops but the reception was subdued compared with the standing ovation at his last stage performance in Florida. There were no disruptions during the performance.

Some ticket-holders had said they would boycott the performance, and the 2,000-seat venue was about two-thirds full.

Outside the Centre in the Square, more than a dozen protesters came out in sub-freezing temperatures, carrying signs saying “rape is no joke.” Some shouted “you support rape” and “shame on you” at fans.

Cosby, 77, is scheduled to appear at the Budweiser Gardens in London today and at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton on Friday.

Sienna Miller will join Broadway ‘Cabaret’

NEW YORK

Sienna Miller will step up to play the fishnet-and-bowler-hat-wearing chanteuse Sally Bowles on Broadway.

Roundabout Theatre Company said Wednesday that Miller will take over from Emma Stone on Feb. 17 and play the final six weeks of the show’s run through March 29. Michelle Williams last year made her Broadway debut in the role, handing it to Stone on Nov. 11.

The current revival of the revival that ran from 1998-2004 also stars Alan Cumming as Emcee, Linda Emond and Danny Burstein.

Associated Press