The new hardest-working man in show business is at it again. Tyler Perry's next movie, "Good Deeds," has begun filming in Atlanta. The production set up shop at Atlantic Station Tuesday, so road closings may go on this week. We heard from folks who work in that area on Tuesday, saying they had to take detours on their ride in. (Nothing too disruptive, though). Unlike his current box-office winner, this is not another "Madea" movie. Entertainment Weekly described it like this: "In the romantic drama, Perry will play a successful entrepreneur who finds himself drawn to a down-on-her-luck single mom on the eve of his marriage to a wealthy fiancée." Perry's most recent "Madea" flick, "Madea's Big Happy Family," opened Easter weekend just behind the animated movie "Rio," hauling in $25.8 million in that debut weekend alone, the Los Angeles Times reported. And of course you can see Perry live here in Atlanta next weekend, when "Tyler Perry's a Madea Christmas" takes the stage of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on May 13 and 14.
‘Burlesque' star to be featured at gala
After spending time with Cher and Christina Aguilera for the cheeky musical film "Burlesque" last year, actor Alan Cumming is ready to cavort with some of Atlanta's top divas. He'll be among the highlights of Saturday night's "Tony Evening" gala benefiting the Alliance Theatre. It starts at 7 p.m. at the St. Regis. Co-chaired by Sally Dorsey and Todd Tautfest, the event honors Ann W. Cramer. Tickets start at $300 and attire is "New York chic." E-mail lindsey.hardegree@woodruffcenter.org, call 404-733-4615 or see www.atonyevening.com to make your reservations.
Star Jones v. NeNe Leakes: Round ? (We've lost count)
As you know, the latest episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" was trumped, so to speak, by President Barack Obama's historic announcement Sunday night that Osama bin Laden had been killed. Luckily, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which airs locally at 4 p.m. weekdays on WXIA, ran an interview with Star Jones Tuesday so viewers could get a sense of what they may have missed (or did not). In a nutshell, Jones still does not like Atlanta's NeNe Leakes. It's not a surprising revelation, given that Leakes went on DeGeneres' show not long ago to declare Jones was "a disaster." DeGeneres asked Jones if she and Leakes have called a truce, prodding hopefully, "You and NeNe are on good terms?" Jones, who was recently in Atlanta for an appearance at Spelman College, responded with icy restraint: "Well, the lawyer in me would say, 'we were not friends before, we were clearly not friends during, we are not friends after'." Of course, if they got along, who would watch?
Celebrity birthdays
Surf guitarist Dick Dale is 74. Singer-songwriter Nick Ashford of Ashford and Simpson is 69. Singer Peggy Santiglia of The Angels is 67. Country singer Stella Parton is 62. Singer Jackie Jackson of The Jacksons is 60. Singer Oleta Adams is 58. Country singer Randy Travis is 52. Actress Mary McDonough ("The Waltons") is 50. Comedian Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live") is 44. Actor Will Arnett ("Arrested Development," "Blades of Glory") is 41. Bassist Mike Dirnt of Green Day is 39. Singer Lance Bass ('N Sync) is 32. Actor Alexander Gould ("Weeds") is 17.
Contributing: news services
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