AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 12:33 p.m. EDT

Joshua Henry recalls Met Gala jitters as 'Ragtime' acclaim builds toward Tony Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — Joshua Henry, star of "Ragtime," reflects on his Tony nomination and his Met Gala performance of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” He admits he was more nervous than ever, worried about falling down the famous staircase. Despite the nerves, Henry remains a standout on Broadway, earning acclaim for his role as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in “Ragtime.” With the Tony Awards approaching, the four-time nominee credits his family for grounding him and shaping his perspective on success for the past 20 years. He praises the show’s emotional connection, which continues to draw audiences despite a challenging theater season. The Tony Awards ceremony is June 7.

In ‘Pressure,’ the story of the meteorologist who helped save D-Day

The film “Pressure” explores the tense 72 hours before D-Day, highlighting the crucial role of Scottish meteorologist Capt. James Stagg. He advised Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Allied leadership to delay the invasion due to bad weather. This decision changed the course of the war. Brendan Fraser plays Eisenhower, diving deep into research to portray the general's humanity. Andrew Scott plays Stagg, focusing on the character's integrity. Director Anthony Maras uses colorized archival footage to present a fresh perspective on D-Day. The film emphasizes leadership and the importance of listening to expert advice, resonating with today's challenges.

'Shoot me up with a big one': A timeline of the last days of Matthew Perry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The prosecution of five people in the drug death of actor Matthew Perry ended Wednesday with the sentencing of the personal assistant of the “Friends” star. Sixty-year-old Kenneth Iwamasa was at Perry's side in the final weeks of his life. Perry had been taking ketamine legally through his doctor, but about a month before his death began illegally seeking more. He found a doctor willing to provide it off the books, and a street dealer who gave him even more. On the last day of his life, Perry received about half a dozen injections. Iwamasa found him dead in the Jacuzzi of the home they shared.

Taylor Swift concert plot suspect apologizes in Austrian court ahead of verdict

WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria (AP) — A man who admitted to plotting to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna nearly two years ago has told an Austrian court that he's sorry, ahead of a verdict in his trial. The concert plot was thwarted, but Austrian authorities still canceled Swift’s three performances in August 2024. The defendant, a 21-year-old Austrian citizen known only as Beran A. in line with Austrian privacy rules, faces charges including terrorist offenses and membership in a terrorist organization. His lawyer said he had pleaded guilty. He could face up to 20 years in prison.

Conan O’Brien to speak at Harvard commencement as Trump tightens pressure on the school

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard graduates will hear from comedian and television host Conan O’Brien at their commencement. The appearance Thursday of O'Brien, a Harvard alum, comes during one of the most fraught periods in the Ivy League school's recent history, as it faces mounting legal and financial pressure from President Donald Trump. The administration sued Harvard in March, accusing its leadership of failing to address antisemitism on campus and creating grounds for the government to freeze existing grants and seek repayment for grants already paid. That came months after a judge sided with Harvard in another lawsuit and ordered the administration to reverse billions of dollars in cuts.

Independent bookstores are multiplying, although many people still think they're dying out

NEW YORK (AP) — Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, often hears people express sympathy for her role, assuming bookstores are disappearing. However, independent bookstores are actually thriving. Membership in the association grew by 540 over the past year, reaching 3,417 stores. This is nearly double from a decade ago. The growth includes various types of stores, from traditional to mobile and pop-up shops. Hill notes that people are seeking realignment with their values, driving this resurgence. Despite challenges like high costs and budget cuts, the independent bookstore scene remains vibrant, though Hill describes it as “precarious.”

The Chicks announce intimate 'Taking the Long Way' 20th Anniversary Tour. 'This is our lives'

NEW YORK (AP) — The Chicks are taking their 2006 album “Taking the Long Way” on tour this fall. The Texas trio of Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines will perform in intimate theaters across the U.S. They will play the album in full. The record marked a major comeback after the country music industry turned its back on them in 2003. During a London show, Natalie Maines criticized then-President George W. Bush, leading to backlash. The album, featuring the hit “Not Ready to Make Nice,” won five Grammy Awards. The tour starts Sept. 30 in Detroit and ends Nov. 2 in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale June 4.

Matthew Perry's assistant gets more than 3 years in prison for central role in his ketamine death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Perry's personal assistant has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison for his role in the drug death of the “Friends” star. Sixty-year-old Kenneth Iwamasa received the sentence in a Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday. Iwamasa The assistant was at Perry’s side through the final days of his life in 2023. He injected Perry with the fatal dose of ketamine and found him dead in his Jacuzzi. He would eventually become prosecutors’ most important informant. Iwamasa was the last person sentenced of five who pleaded guilty in connection with Perry's death at age 54.

Why your co-worker might be listening to music tuned to 432 hertz

NEW YORK (AP) — Music recorded in 432 hertz is taking off on social media platforms and music streaming services. Users can find an increasing number of tracks and playlists employing the alternate tuning frequency that's lower lower than typical concert pitch. There's everything from meditation soundscapes to reggae songs recorded by Ziggy Marley. Many avid listeners assign healing properties to music tuned to 432 hertz or believe the frequency is more aligned with nature than standard 440 tuning. There's no robust scientific evidence to support such claims. Nevertheless, fans of 432 music say that listening to it at work helps them focus and feel grounded.