9 Questions With the History-Making, Youngest and First African-American Jean ...

Epilogue-Finale, Kyle Jean-Baptiste

9 Questions With the History-Making, Youngest and First African-American Jean Valjean "This Was My Dream"

Kyle Jean-Baptiste made history July 23 when he went on as Jean Valjean in the Broadway revival of Les Misrables at just 21 years old. We ask him about making history, what advice he was given and what"s next!

Jean-Baptiste is the youngest actor and first African-American to have performed the role on Broadway, although there have been others who have played it in the national tour and other productions. He was cast in the Broadway revival following his graduation from Baldwin Wallace University.

When he"s not going on for Jean Valjean, the role that he understudies, Jean-Baptiste plays Constable and Courfeyrac.

How did it feel to make your debut as Jean Valjean, knowing that you were making history?Kyle Jean-Baptiste: I did not immediately think of it as making history. This was my dream since I was a little boy. This incredible team of creatives presented an opportunity to play a part I have dreamed of playing since I was introduced to theatre, and I am forever grateful. I felt a huge amount of responsibility to do right by them and to honor this iconic material.

Tell us about singing "Bring Him Home." You were asked to sing this for you audition, yes? What was it like to be singing it on Broadway? Also, you"re friends/around the same age as your Marius, Chris McCarrell, so was that moment surreal?KJ: Yes, I had to sing it a couple times for the audition. This song is so iconic, and everyone knows it well. I went into my first performance as Valjean very nervous to sing it, but the audience received it well.

Chris McCarrell is an awesome guy and amazingly talented. I couldn"t believe I was performing with a guy I went to school with on Broadway!

Same goes for scenes with Javert what was it like to face off with someone who is at least 20 years older than you?KJ: It was exhilarating! To have the opportunity to perform this role opposite [Earl Carpenter] someone with such experience and talent was such a learning experience. He treated me as an equal on that stage. It was so fun to face off with someone for whom I have so much respect.

What did it feel like when you got the call that you booked your first Broadway show so shortly after graduating college?KJ: I got the call from my agent on the phone and yelled like a child. I couldn"t believe it. I felt like my hard work had paid off. I was, and am, so grateful.

Did Ramin Karimloo give you any words of wisdom before your first performance as Jean Valjean?KJ: I was nervous about being too young, but Ramin helped me through and said to be in the moment and not work too hard to play old or to "perform" the role. He said the costumes and makeup will tell the story of me aging. He"s an incredible guy and [an] incredible talent.

You"ve said that Les Miz/Jean Valjean is a "dream." When did you first encounter the show?KJ: I encountered this show during my senior year of high school after I performed in my first musical. I listened to the album repeatedly for a solid week and then said to my mom, "I"m going to be Jean Valjean." Haha!

How has the transition been going from college to Broadway? Is this a whirlwind experience? What has been the response from your peers?KJ: I did not expect the immediate success. Everything happened so fast. I am fortunate to have my alma mater, classmates (BWMT15), teachers and friends and family support me. They are all thrilled for me. So many of my fellow Baldwin Wallace graduates were in the audience cheering me on for my first performance as Valjean. It means the world to have their support.

Since this was a dream role for you and you didn"t think you"d have a stab at it until much later in life what other roles would you like to take on?KJ: Awwww, man, so many roles! I would love to play Billy Bigelow [in Carousel], John in Miss Saigon, Coalhouse Walker [in Ragtime], too many to name. I"m also interested in great roles in plays. I want to continue to break more barriers by challenging myself, while bringing my passion and my style to the table.

What"s up next for you after Les Miz? What other projects do you have your eye on?KJ: I have a lot of exciting things coming up! Keep your eyes on Playbill for updates!

(Playbill.com features manager Michael Gioia"s work appears in the news, feature and video sections of Playbill.com as well as in the pages of Playbill magazine. Follow him on Twitter at@PlaybillMichael.)

Source: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/9-questions-with-the-history-making-youngest-and-first-african-american-jean-valjean-this-was-my-dream-354600?r%3Dn

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WWE Making Announce Team Changes, Big Update on Tropical Storm Erika Possibly ...

Tropical Storm Erika threatens Dominican Republic
Big Update on Tropical Storm Erika

Weather.com is reporting the National Hurricane Center has declared Tropical Storm Erika dissipated near the coast of eastern Cuba at around 9:30 this morning.So while thunderstorms and flooding might be possible in the Tampa area on Monday, it appears Raw will be unaffected by Erika and will go on as scheduled at the Amalie Arena.WWE Making Announce Team Changes

As noted, Rich Brennan has been promoted to full-time WWE Smackdown lead announcer, and with Tough Enough ending Booker T will also be returning to the announce table in WWE.

Based on the Tweets below, it appears the Smackdown announce team will now consist of Brennan, Booker T and Jerry Lawler, while Raw will be called by Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton. No word on what WWE has planned for Tom Phillips:

Source: http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/614893-wwe-making-announce-team-changes-big-update-on-tropical-storm-erika-possibly-canceling-wwe-raw-monday-night

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Sandra Bullock Dating L.A. Photographer Bryan Randall

Laredo Bryan Randall Post Game

By Jodi Gugliemi

08/28/2015 AT 02:45 PM EDT

Sandra Bullock is officially off the market.

The Oscar winner, 51, is dating L.A.-based photographer Bryan Randall, PEOPLE has confirmed.

The lifestyle photographer and model, 49, is a Portland, Oregon, native, and a source tells PEOPLE the two have been dating for "several months" and met through mutual friends.

With a modeling career spanning nearly two decades, Randall has posed for the likes of Saint Laurent and Harper"s Bazaar.

The two were spotted leaving L.A. hot spot Craig"s on Thursday night. Sources have said that Bullock brought the new man in her life as her date to the intimate backyard wedding of friends Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux on Aug. 5.

Bryan Randall in the 2013 short film Aftermath, which he made with Ben Howdeshell and Joan Allen.

Bullock had been previously married to Jesse James, whom she divorced in in 2010 after five years of marriage following reports that he cheated on her.

Before the divorce, the two had begun the process of adopting a child, and Bullock introduced her bundle of joy, Louis, to the world in April 2010 after finalizing the adoption as a single mother.

"He"s just perfect, I can"t even describe him any other way," Bullock revealed exclusively to PEOPLE.

Louis, now 5, has since been the main focus of her life. Even when she signed on to voice a character in the new Minions film, she did it with her son in mind.

"I wanted to make something my son could see and watch and enjoy, even though he doesn"t know what I do and he doesn"t know it"s me I can sit in the theater and watch him," she told the Belfast Telegraph, adding, "Nothing makes me happier than hearing that boy laugh."

Source: http://www.people.com/article/sandra-bullock-new-boyfriend-bryan-randall

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Box Office: Zac Efron Getting Outplayed by Faith-Based "War Room," "Compton"

War Room Trailer | Michael Jr.

Zac Efrons DJ drama We Are Your Friends is being silenced by the faith-based film War Room at the U.S. box office, according to early Friday estimates.

We Are Your Friends would appear to have few friends heading into the weekend, and will likely finish with a dismal $2.6 million. Projections were as high as $10 million a few days ago.

Meanwhile, the Christian drama War Room is showing traction in second at nearly $10 million double its $5 million forecast.

Straight Outta Compton will stay at the top of the box office this weekend with about $13 million, while Owen Wilsons thriller No Escape is performing slightly below expectations and should take in about $8 million over the next three days.

Universal-Legendarys Straight Outta Compton, a biopic about the iconic rap group N.W.A, is showing decent legs heading into its third frame, and should lead the Friday box office with about $4 million. It will wind up the weekend with more than $133 million after 17 days a stellar result, given its moderate $29 million production cost.

It continues to generate conversation and excitement, and its continuing to benefit from a very good release date, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Rentrak.

Sonys Christian drama War Room launched with $600,000 at 1,017 locations at Thursday preview screenings, obliterating Warner Bros. We Are Your Friends, which generated a mild $175,000. War Room expanded to 1,135 sites Friday and will have the top per-screen average among wide releases this weekend.

We Are Your Friends, which expanded to 2,333 locations on Friday, has been aimed at younger women and the electronic music community. Its a small risk for Warner Bros. given that the studio paid an extremely modest $2 million for the movie at the American Film Market.

War Room, which is going out through Sonys TriStar label, centers on a couple who find the solution to their crumbling marriage in prayer. TriStar scored impressively last year with another faith-based drama, Heaven Is for Real, which topped $90 million domestically. War Room stars T.C. Stallings, Elizabeth Becka and Noel Baker.

War Room, which has a $3.5 million budget, has been the top online ticket seller at the Fandango site, generating more than 30% of sales.

Dergarabedian noted that Sony is benefiting from slotting War Room strategically. Its a movie thats going to play well among an audience thats underserved, he added.

Should the $13 million estimate hold, Straight Outta Compton will become the fourth title this year to lead the U.S. box office for three consecutive weekends, following Universals tentpoles Jurassic World and Furious 7, as well as Warners American Sniper.

The Weinstein Co.s political thriller No Escape, which opened Wednesday with $1.2 million at 3,007 theaters and adds 343 more locations Friday, should wind up in a battle for third place with Paramounts fifth weekend of Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation at about $8 million. Rogue Nation will likely end the weekend nearing $170 million.

As of Aug. 27, the summer box office total was up 8.18% over last year to $4.24 billion but 7.59% behind 2013. Year-to-date was up 5.77% at $7.5 billion over last year, according to Rentrak.

Source: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-we-are-your-friends-tanking-straight-outta-compton-threepeat-1201580799/

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Twitter majorly mocks Josh Duggar

Josh Duggar"s Child Molestation History Revealed

Josh Duggar admitted to having an Ashley Madison account on Aug. 20.(Photo: D Dipasupil, Getty Images for Extra)

When news of Josh Duggar"s latest scandal broke on Thursday, Twitter wasted no time castigating the besieged reality star, who admitted to having an Ashley Madison account after spending years preaching about the sanctity of marriage while working for the conservative Family Research Council (which lobbies against abortion rights and gay marriage).

Here"s a peek at what folks had to say.

Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1NIeDiT

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/08/20/twitter-relentless-in-duggar-mockery/32066363/

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Caitlyn Jenner praises artist Conor Collins who made online hate into a portrait

“Call Me Caitlyn,” a Documentary

ByChelsea White For Dailymail.com

Published: 09:30 EST, 20 August 2015 | Updated: 12:40 EST, 20 August 2015

With her cover of Vanity Fair, her television show and a huge social media fan base it is easy to think Caitlyn Jenner has had an easy transition.

But look online and not everyone has been as accepting of the transgender star with the comment section of her Twitter filled with people telling the 65-year-old "to go die" and that she is a "freak" and a "perv".

English artist Conor Collinssaw those messages of hate and decided he wanted to make something beautiful from them, using the tweets to create a portrait of Caitlyn.

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Finding a positive: An artist has turned violent and threatening tweets about Caitlyn Jenner into an artwork

Based off the reality star"s Vanity Fair cover, at first glance the black and white image looks like a line drawing but on closer inspection Caitlyn"s form is created using the very words that sought to take her down.

Thanks to social media Conor"s artwork was quickly shared by hundreds and eventually his subject, Caitlyn, also saw the work.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday night, the former Olympian praised the Manchester-based artist.

Praise:Thanks to social media the work was quickly shared by hundreds and eventually his subject, Caitlyn, also saw the work and tweeted her thanks on Wednesday

Target: White it may have seemed like the world was accepting of the 65-year-old (pictured July)not everyone has been with the comment section of her Twitter filled with people telling the 65-year-old "to go die" and that she is a "freak" and a "perv"

The star write: "Turning hate into love is so beautiful and powerful - great job by this artist."

Of course, the tweet by the world"s newest Social Media Queen as crowed at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday instantly turned the work and the artist into a trending topic on Twitter.

Iconic: The piece of art was created by English artist Conor Collins who used the star"s Vanity Fair cover

Taking to his own Twitter, Conor thanked those who shared the piece for their support.

"Feeling rather overwhelmed by the response to my painting. Not to mention the vibrate function on my phone is well and truly dead!

"Brother just called me to say that mum text him saying ""Conor"s become viral on that bird call site."""

Speaking to the DailyMail.com Conor said he had hoped his work would touch people but did not even think on this scale.

He said on Thursday morning: "I didn"t think I would be a trending topic, however, when I finished the painting I did think it may strike a chord with people, however I am very moved that people have felt so emotionally engaged by it.

"It seems to have spread really quickly and the responses are on the whole really rather positive. For every person who sees it, another person is shown the persecution and real danger trans people face."

However, Conor has also been subjected to just a taste of what his subject receives daily: "I"ve received a fair bit of hate mail in my emails overnight from people who hate the transgendered community, or hate me, or just generally hate a lot of things.

"But I find the more hate mail I receive...the better job I am probably doing."

Conor initially came across the hateful responses after Caitlyn first revealed her true self.

He told the DailyMail.com: "I admire what Caitlyn has done and how she has used her position and privileged to make a difference.

Deceptively hate-filled: At first glance the black and white image looks like a line drawing but on closer inspection Caitlyn"s form is created using the very words that sought to take her down

Tough work: The artist said he struggled to read and then re-writing some of the comments from Caitlyn"s Twitter account

"So naturally like anyone curious I went on her twitter to see more, and was horrified by some of the comments. When I saw these I wanted to show them because it is a reality of what trans people experience every day.

"Caitlyn"s making a difference to the trans community, however, I didnt want to hide the darkness and persecution they face in my art piece. It just wouldnt be fair."

Reading through and the re-writing the comments and threats took its toll on the artist but he was determined to finish, and completed the work in just one night despite his pieces normally taking two months to two years.

New point of view: Conor said he hoped the work will make people realise the struggles trans people face

"To get through it I ended up working through half a bottle of whiskey and didn"t stop working on the painting till the small hours of the morning. I am not sure how I kept a steady hand, however I don"t think I could have written so much hate sober."

While Caitlyn has not reached out personally to Conor, the artist was just excited that she had seen his work.

"Outside of the [re-tweet] I haven"t heard from Caitlyn, however I can understand she must be totally run off her feet of late. So happy with the RT alone!"

Trending comment: The tweet by the world"s newest Social Media Queen as crowed at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday instantly turned the work and the artist into a trending topic on Twitter

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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3204851/Caitlyn-Jenner-praises-artist-online-threats-hatred-against-star-portrait.html

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South Korea says it exchanged fire with North Korea at border

BREAKING: North Korea Fires at South Korean Military

(Aug. 20, 2015) In an escalation of the tense situation in the region, North and South Korea exchanged fire over their heavily fortified border Thursday, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

South Korea detected a projectile, assumed to be a small rocket, that was fired toward the western province of Gyeonggi, a Defense Ministry official told CNN.

The South Korean military responded by firing a few dozen shells at the area from which the North Korean projectile was fired, the official said.

The Pentagon is monitoring the escalating tension closely, Cmdr. William Urban, a Defense Department spokesman, told CNNs Brian Todd.

And a U.S. official told CNNs Barbara Starr that the U.S. believes that North Korea fired a shot at a South Korean loudspeaker, and South Korea responded with 36 artillery shells.

The U.S. believes North Korea deliberately placed mines in the path of a South Korean patrol in the demilitarized zone between the two countries, sparking the exchanges, the official said.

Tensions spiked on the Korean Peninsula after two South Korean soldiers were seriously wounded by landmines on August 4 in the demilitarized zone.

South Korea also has accused the North of planting the mines, an allegation that Pyongyang denies.

Seoul vowed a harsh response to the landmines and resumed blaring propaganda messages over the border from huge loudspeakers.

The move infuriated North Korea, which called the broadcasting a direct action of declaring a war. Over the weekend, it threatened to blow up the South Korean speakers and also warned of indiscriminate strikes.

A history of conflict

While such tension is worrisome, it is nothing new.

Over the past six decades, skirmishes have flared repeatedly along land and sea borders as each state aims to reunify the peninsula according to its own terms and system of government. Deadly naval clashes occurred along the demarcation line in 1999, 2002 and 2009.

After Japans defeat in World War II, Korea became a divided nation the capitalist South supported by the United States and its Western allies, and the communist North an ally of the Soviet Union.

Cold War tensions erupted into war in 1950, devastating the peninsula and taking the lives of as many as 2 million people. The fighting ended with a truce, not a treaty, and settled little.

Technically, the two Koreas are still at war.

Besides the border skirmishes, other incidents have proved provocative. In 1968, North Korea dispatched commandos in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate South Koreas President. In 1983, a bombing linked to Pyongyang killed 17 high-level South Korean officials on a visit to Myanmar. In 1987, the North was accused of bombing a South Korean airliner.

And now it is happening again.

On Monday, North Korea pumped its own propaganda broadcasts over the border, the same day South Korea started military exercises with the United States and other countries. Pyongyang says it views the drills as a prelude to an invasion.

The two sides have exchanged fire recently at sensitive points.

In November 2010, North Korea shelled an island near the countries disputed maritime border, killing two South Korean marines.

They also traded fire in October 2014. A clash took place between patrol boats in the Yellow Sea, and then another flared days later over land after North Korean gunners apparently targeted balloons carrying leaflets critical of the countrys reclusive regime.

Source: http://fox59.com/2015/08/20/south-korea-says-it-exchanged-fire-with-north-korea-at-border/

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