BC-AP Entertainment and Arts Digest,2nd Ld-Writethru

If you have questions, please contact Shelley Acoca at sacoca@ap.org. or Steve Loeper at sloeper@ap.org. Expanded AP content, beyond what appears on this wire, can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477. For reruns of stories and questions about the best-seller lists, call the Service Desk at 800-838-4616. Times are EDT.

UPDATES

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

FILM-AVENGERS — The stage is set for a brewing ideological conflict between Iron Man and Captain America in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” that will come to a head in next year’s “Captain America: Civil War.” Stars and series linchpins Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans tease the spat and talk about the enduring appeal of this still-growing franchise. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 750 words, photos.

FILM-AVENGERS-NEWCOMERS — The Avengers get some new, hostile company in “Age of Ultron” in a pair of mysterious and enhanced twins, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and a sinister robot with delusions of grandeur, played by James Spader. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 440 words, photos.

PEABODY-DOCUMENTARY WINNERS — HBO has won two Peabody Awards, including one for a documentary on singer James Brown, while PBS’ “Frontline,” ”American Experience” and “POV” series, Netflix and Univision were also among the documentary, education and public service winners of the 74th annual Peabody Awards for electronic media announced Thursday by the Peabody program at the University of Georgia. SENT: 190 words.

BET-BOXING-ROC NATION SPORTS — BET, which has traditionally programmed entertainment, music, news and public affairs for the African-American audience, has partnered with Roc Nation Sports to air up to nine live, two-hour telecasts of boxing events in the next 18 months. By Television Writer Frazier Moore. SENT: 600 words.

NEW WHITNEY — A look at the new home for the Whitney Museum of American Art, right near Manhattan’s High Line. By Ula Ilnytzky. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.

MUSIC-CHARLES LLOYD — Renowned saxophonist Charles Lloyd has released “Wild Man Dance,” a CD that drew inspiration from southwestern Poland. By Charles Gans. SENT: 600 words, photos.

PEOPLE-EDIE FALCO — Edie Falco says the finale of her Showtime series, “Nurse Jackie,” after seven seasons “feels honest.” By Nicole Evatt. SENT: 330 words, photos, video.

FILM-FIFTY SHADES — A spokeswoman for Universal Pictures confirmed Thursday that the husband of E L James, Niall Leonard, will write the script for the follow-up to the global hit. SENT: 100 words, photos.

TV-DIOGO MORGADO — Diogo Morgado, who played Jesus Christ in the History miniseries “The Bible,” now stars in “The Messengers” on The CW. This time he plays a version of the devil whose name is simply, The Man. By Alicia Rancilio. SENT: 430 words, photos.

JASPER JOHNS-THEFT — A former longtime Jasper Johns assistant was ordered Thursday to spend 18 months behind bars after admitting he stole artworks from the pop artist’s Connecticut studio and arranged for them to be sold by a Manhattan gallery for nearly $10 million. By Larry Neumeister. SENT: 480 words.

SHAKESPEARE UNREQUIRED — The American Council of Trustees and Alumni has found that less than 8 percent of the nation’s top universities require English majors to take a course focused on Shakespeare. By Drama Writer Mark Kennedy. SENT: 400 words, photo.

GRACELAND-VEGAS — An early Thursday-morning televised wedding marked the debut of “Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition-The Show-The Experience” at the Westgate Las Vegas hotel and casino, the same casino where Elvis performed several hundred shows when it was the Las Vegas Hilton and The International. By Kimberly Pierceall. SENT: 320 words, photos.

OBAMA LIBRARY-CHICAGO — The Illinois Legislature is fast-tracking a bill to ensure that Chicago has legal authority to use public park land as potential sites for Barack Obama’s presidential library and film producer George Lucas’ proposed museum. By Kerry Lester. SENT: 450 words.

BOOKS-WITHERSPOON-HARPER LEE — Harper Lee’s upcoming novel, the year’s most talked about literary release, will have some added star power for the audio edition: Reese Witherspoon. SENT: 130 words, photos.

BOOKS-KHLOE KARDASHIAN — Khloe Kardashian is working on an advice book on how to develop “strength and true beauty” in a “culture that worships skinny,” the publisher Regan Arts announced Thursday. SENT: 80 words, photos.

BRITAIN-SUNDANCE — Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival is reviving its London offshoot, and continuing its spinoff event in Hong Kong. SENT: 130 words.

PEOPLE-LADY GAGA — Lady Gaga will receive the inaugural Contemporary Icon Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City on June 18. SENT: 150 words, photos.

TIMES SQUARE-WARHOL — The electronic billboards of Times Square will show short silent films that Andy Warhol made of such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg and Lou Reed. SENT: 85 words.

PEOPLE-GLENN CLOSE — Glenn Close will help honor playwright Tom Stoppard at next month’s PEN Literary Awards Gala, the PEN American Center announced Thursday. SENT: 100 words, photos.

BRITAIN-NICOLE KIDMAN — Nicole Kidman is returning to the London stage in a play about the woman who helped unlock the secrets of DNA. SENT: 125 words.

PEOPLE-COLBERT READS — Stephen Colbert looked out upon a sold-out house, flashed his familiar comic grin and then began the serious (and funny) business he was there for: reading a story by Flannery O’Connor. By National Writer Hillel Italie. SENT: 380 words, photos.

NOT FATHER’S SYMPHONY — SoundBox, a Vegas-style nightclub with high-tech light and sound, video screens and several stages, has become San Francisco’s hottest venue for classical music. By Olga R. Rodriguez. SENT: 530 words, photos, video.

OPERA-CAV-PAG — When the Metropolitan Opera closes out its HD broadcast season on Saturday, tenor Marcelo Alvarez will sing the leads in both halves of opera’s favorite twin bill: Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci.” By Mike Silverman. SENT: 450 words, photos.

GERMANY-AFTER THE WAR — Joy and despair, punishment and denial, devastation and rebirth: a new exhibition in Berlin delves into 12 European countries’ experiences in the immediate aftermath of World War II. By Geir Moulson. SENT: 740 words, photos.

ITALY-EXPO-LA SCALA — The general director of La Scala says he doesn’t anticipate labor issues will interfere with the May 1 concert to mark the inauguration of the Expo 2015 world’s fair. SENT: 130 words.

_______________________________________