George Michael has court date the day before his concert at London’s new Wembley Stadium
LONDON — George Michael must appear in court on drug charges a day before a sellout concert at London’s new Wembley Stadium, a district judge ruled Tuesday.
The 43-year-old singer, whose real name is George Panayiotou, was arrested in October. He faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs.
His trial starts May 8, followed by May 30, May 31 and June 8 hearings.
Michael will play the first concert at Wembley Stadium on June 9.
District Judge Katherine Marshall rejected an application for Michael to be allowed to be absent throughout the trial.
Marshall said she wanted Michael to be in court May 8 and would be willing, if he didn’t wish to remain at the trial, to bail him to reappear on the final day.
"He is around in the area because I believe he is appearing at Wembley Stadium. I do not think he will have any difficulty in being here on June 8,” Marshall said.
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Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin to help cast musical production based on her autobiography
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Queen of Soul is looking for a few good subjects. Auditions for singing and non-singing parts in a musical production based on Aretha Franklin’s autobiography will be held May 1-3 in suburban Detroit.
The musical based on the 1999 best-seller, "Aretha: From These Roots,” is tentatively set to premiere in Franklin’s hometown of Detroit next March.
The 65-year-old Grammy winner will help choose the performers who will portray her at various ages, as well as relatives, close friends, background singers and musical colleagues including Sam Cooke, Dinah Washington, Smokey Robinson and pianist Art Tatum.
Roles to be cast include LaRue Mann, Franklin’s wardrobe mistress, whose surrogate should possess "sharp features, lots of personality and (be) bubbly,” a statement from Franklin’s publicists said Monday.
The actor portraying suitor Ken Cunningham should be, among other things, "slim, with a perfect set of teeth, cool and fun.”
Hits by Franklin include "Respect,” "Chain of Fools” and "Freeway of Love.”
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