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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, June 8, 2009

'Billy Elliot' dances all over Tonys


Advertiser News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Brooke Shields

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Heidi Montag Pratt

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NEW YORK — "Billy Elliot," the big British musical about a coal miner's son who dreams to dance, bowled over Broadway yesterday, winning 10 Tonys, including best musical and a unique best actor prize for the three young performers — David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish — who share the title character.

"Billy Elliot" collected eight other awards, including director of a musical, book of a musical and choreography, but composer Elton John was upset for best score. That award was taken by "Next to Normal" — which seemed to stun "Normal" composer Tom Kitt and lyricist Brian Yorkey.

Angela Lansbury received her fifth Tony for her performance as the dotty medium Madame Arcati in a revival of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit." Her win in the featured-actress category tied the record for acting prizes held by Julie Harris.

SHIELDS, TABLOID AVOID LAWSUIT OVER STORY

People.com reports that the National Enquirer has reached a settlement with Brooke Shields, who threatened to sue the paper after a reporter allegedly checked her mother out of a New Jersey nursing home last month for a story. As a result of the incident, the model-actress had to acknowledge that her mother, Teri Shields, 75, suffers from dementia.

Brooke Shields' attorney tells People.com the tab has agreed not to publish its story and will make a "generous donation to further research on dementia."

REALITY STAR REPORTEDLY HOSPITALIZED

Heidi Montag Pratt reportedly was rushed yesterday to a hospital in Costa Rica where she and her husband, Spencer Pratt, are shooting the bug-eating, C-List celeb reality TV show, "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here."

The news came via a tweet from Montag Pratt's sister, Stephanie, who blames the unknown illness on hardships Montag Pratt has had to endure on the show: "rushed to the hospital and has an IV in her arm after being locked in a dark room for 3 days w no food or water. Pls pray she will be ok."

Last week, the couple faked an early departure from the show. Thus their punishment: NBC exec Paul Telegdy last week said they were "insincere, lazy, entitled" and would have to suffer in isolation before their fate would be decided on today's episode.

'UP' STAYS ON TOP OF WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

LOS ANGELES — Two live-action comedies were unable to bring down the animated adventure "Up."

Disney and Pixar Animation's "Up" reeled in $44.2 million to remain on top of the box office for the second weekend in a row, according to studio estimates yesterday. It's the first movie of Hollywood's busy summer season to take the No. 1 spot for two straight weekends.

The Warner Bros. bachelor-bash comedy "The Hangover" came in a close second with a $43.3 million debut. Will Ferrell's action comedy for Universal, "Land of the Lost," came in a distant third with a $19.5 million opening.