Niagara Gazette - Night & Day

MUSIC: Artpark schedule announced
Answering the challenge issued by entertainment venues across Western New York, Artpark officials have opened their minds — and wallets — to present what they think is one of the Lewiston venue’s best calendars to date.
In formally announcing the park’s schedule Wednesday, Artpark President George Osborne cited increased competition this summer from the Seneca Nation’s casinos in Niagara Falls and Salamanca, as well as the new concert series in North Tonawanda to compete with the Molson series, which moved from NT to Lockport.
THEATER: Arthur opens Artpark season
Arthur the aardvark is coming to Artpark, and he’s got enough fans to sell out at least one show.
Arthur Read, a character created by author Marc Brown, will appear with the rest of his friends from the book and TV series in “Arthur Live!” The stage show will feature the costumed characters in their own musical.
MUSIC: 'American Idols' messing up lyrics
“American Idol” hopeful Jason Castro became at least the third contestant this season to flub lyrics to a song.
ENTERTAINMENT: Fresh off quiet spell, Britney Spears expected in LA court
Exactly three months have passed since Britney Spears left a psychiatric ward and promptly stirred up a paparazzi car chase, a scene that looked like the beginning of even more erratic behavior for the troubled pop star.
In the weeks that followed, Spears started acting out of character, all right: She lay low and avoided the cameras. She spent time with family members. She found work, and succeeded at it.
With that stability and momentum to build on, it would appear Spears’ child-custody hearing Tuesday had the potential for a positive outcome — as long as she gets it together to show up this time. All indications are that she will.
MOVIES: Marvel turns ‘Iron Man’ into gold with $100M-plus debut
The Marvel Comics adaptation, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the guy in the metal suit, hauled in $100.7 million during its opening weekend and $104.2 million since debuting Thursday night, the second-best premiere ever for a nonsequel, according to studio estimates Sunday.
TELEVISION: Guest stars, return of new episodes highlight May schedules.
Television’s biggest and brightest programs will be featured during the May sweeps season that carries into the next few weeks.
The month-long period, which began last weekend and continues until May 21, is an annual time during which networks most closely monitor viewership ratings. Those ratings, in turn, are used to determine how much to charge advertisers.
COLUMN: People at the movie theater
They’re quite the cast of characters. You go to the movies, and there they are. Maybe you’ll only find one or two. Maybe you’ll see, or hear, more.
I’m not talking about characters in any specific film. I’m talking about the people at the movie theater. They’re in the shadows, but they’re not always exactly lurking.
COMEDY: The Kids in the Hall come to the Falls
With the strike forcing a prolonged work stoppage, the troupe members figured the time was right to return to the road.
THEATER: 'Avenue Q' reviewed
What “Team America: World Police” started in the movement to improve puppets’ reputations, “Avenue Q” perfected.
Like the R-rated movie about a team of puppets fighting terrorists, “Avenue Q” uses puppets to take a frank yet humorous look at life.

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