Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Hollywood actors extend contract talks, temporarily averting strike
Hollywood’s actors union and major Hollywood studios agreed on Friday to keep negotiating through mid-July, staving off the immediate threat of a second labor strike in the entertainment business this summer. The SAG-AFTRA union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said they would extend their current contract, which had been set to expire at midnight, through July 12.
Taiwan celebrates linguistic diversity at annual music awards
Taiwan celebrated linguistic diversity at the Golden Melody Awards late Saturday with big wins for singers who primarily sing in Mandarin, at one of the most prestigious entertainment events in the Chinese-speaking world. The awards celebrate not only Mandopop but also artists singing in Taiwanese – also known as Hokkien – Hakka and indigenous languages, a visible sign of the government’s efforts to promote tongues other than Mandarin.
Versatile Oscar-winning American actor Alan Arkin dies at 89
Alan Arkin, a versatile and prolific American actor who thrived in both comic and dramatic roles and won an Oscar for playing a heroin-using grandfather in the 2006 film “Little Miss Sunshine,” has died at 89, his family said. “Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man. A loving husband, father, grand and great grandfather, he was adored and will be deeply missed,” Arkin’s sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony wrote in a joint statement.
‘Rogers: The Musical,’ first Marvel musical at Disneyland opens
For the first time ever, Marvel fans will be able to watch heroic super soldier Steve Rogers sing and dance on stage in Disneyland Resort’s one-act musical theater production “Rogers: The Musical.” As part of Walt Disney’s 100th anniversary celebration, Disneyland opened the 30-minute musical on Friday at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure Park. It runs until August 31.
(With inputs from agencies.)
