Quick Takes - Jan. 14, 2010

Obama’s election, in song

A musical about Barack Obama’s “Yes we can” election campaign premieres in Germany this weekend, including love songs by the president to his wife Michelle and duets with Hillary Clinton.

Even John McCain and Sarah Palin are given stage time, with actors portraying the losing Republican candidates and belting out songs on their behalf.

In all, 30 singers, actors and dancers are to perform in the musical “Hope -- the Obama Musical Story” when it opens at the Jahrhunderthalle concert hall in Frankfurt in a bilingual mix of English and German. The audience may recognize that many songs quote from the politicians’ stump speeches during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign.

-- associated press ‘Slumdog’ child actors act again

“Slumdog Millionaire” child star Rubina Ali played a poverty-stricken child in the Oscar-winning film, but the real-life daughter of India’s shantytowns now has a small fortune in book and movie deals.

The 10-year-old’s publisher and a producer say she is already committed to projects worth more than $145,000, and her family will could soon move out of the Mumbai slums and into a new apartment paid for by a trust set up by the film’s director, Danny Boyle.

Rubina and her “Slumdog” costar Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 11, have both landed roles in the independent film “Lord Owen’s Lady,” a romantic comedy by Dragons Productions (Wales), Chairman Martin Pennell said.

Pennell said the children will each be paid $1,626 per day, for about 20 days of shooting on location in Dubai and Wales.

Rubina has also received $32,515 as an advance for her autobiography, published in June, and stands to get at least $81,287 more in royalties by April, said Philippe Robinet, publisher at France’s Oh! Editions, which first released the book.

-- associated press Stolen Monet work recovered

A Monet painting that was cut from its frame 10 years ago at a museum in western Poland and replaced with a copy painted on cardboard has been recovered, police said Wednesday.

Polish authorities also have arrested a suspect who had the French Impressionist’s “Beach in Pourville” in his possession and confessed to stealing it, officials said.

Poznan police spokesman Romuald Piecuch said that officers detained the 41-year-old man in the southern city of Olkusz Tuesday.

The painting, which shows the sea lapping against a beach in pastel blues and greens, was valued at $1 million at the time of its theft.

-- associated press ‘Dexter’ star discloses cancer

“Dexter” star Michael C. Hall said Wednesday he was diagnosed with cancer and is on the road to the successful completion of treatment.

In a statement, Hall said he was fortunate to be diagnosed with a “treatable and curable condition,” Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thanked his doctors and nurses for their expertise.

Craig Bankey, a spokesman for the 38-year-old actor, said the disease is in complete remission and Hall’s treatment will continue as planned. Bankey said Hall will return to production on the drama’s fifth season later this year.

Hall plans to attend Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards with his wife, costar Jennifer Carpenter; he’s nominated for his role as the Showtime series’ titular serial killer.

-- associated press ABC leads in GLAAD noms

For the fourth year running, the ABC television network leads nominees for media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

The network earned eight nominations Wednesday for the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards, with “Brothers & Sisters,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice” and newcomer “Modern Family” among its contenders.

The GLAAD Media Awards honor the representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives in the media.

Among the other nominated broadcast networks, CBS garnered four nods, the CW and NBC earned two each, and Fox had one. Winners will be announced this spring.

-- associated press USC honors Robert Redford

The USC School of Theatre has created the Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists and will present the first one at a fundraising dinner Feb. 10 to the man for whom it is named.

The school said it would present the award each year to artists “who have distinguished themselves not only in the exemplary quality, skill and innovation of their work but also in their public commitment to social responsibility, to increasing awareness of global issues and events and to inspiring and empowering young people.”

Redford was cited for his work as an environmental activist and leader of the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival.

Proceeds from the event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel will be used for scholarships at the theater school.

-- from a times staff writer