Fresh Face: Jessica-Snow Wilson
(7/16/04) Lara De Meo Broadway.com (thanks Eva!)

Age: "Keep 'em guessing!"

Currently: Rocking the revival of Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey, the down-on-her-luck, quirky blonde for whom Seymour pines.

Hometown: Toronto, Canada. Wilson developed her craft in high school through the Claude Watson Arts Program (Toronto's version of La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts) and made her professional stage debut in Anne of Green Gables at age 17. In 1994, she headed to New York to join the cast of Les Miserables, in which she understudied and later played her dream role of Eponine.

Original Seymour: Wilson has been rehearsing her role in Little Shop since high school, when she and her friend Sara kept the local video store in business by renting the film every weekend. The two pals would act out the leads, with Wilson as Audrey and Sara as Seymour. Apparently, Sara isn't ready to relinquish her post to Wilson's co-star, Joey Fatone. "When I told her I got this role, she said, 'I still want to be Seymour,'" Wilson laughs.

Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr.: With Fatone minding Little Shop opposite Wilson, a bevy of boy-band fans has been spilling into the Virginia Theatre. Wilson says she notices a definite change in the audience dynamic, since many of the fans are new to theater--and occasionally out of sync with the show. "They're a lot more vocal. Sometimes it's even inappropriate. Every once in a while, I think, 'Why are they screaming and laughing there?'" Still, Wilson is thrilled to see a full house each night, and she says her co-star is surprisingly unaffected. "He's Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr. from Brooklyn, New York; he's got this great family; and he's just like a real guy. You would never know he was in *NSYNC. I don't know how he's so normal. I'm shocked by it..."

 

Justin recording for Shark Tale
(7/16/04) US Weekly

US Weekly reports that Justin has been in Miami recording for the animated film Shark Tale. The film will be released October 1.

 

'N Sync to Perform for Their Charity
(7/16/04) Associated Press Newsday

NEW YORK -- 'N Sync haven't completely gone "Bye, Bye, Bye."

The boy-band pop group will perform together for the first time since the 2003 Grammy Awards as part of a benefit for their charity, the Challenge for the Children Foundation.

The event will be held July 23-25 in Miami. The five 'N Sync members, including Justin Timberlake, will sing the national anthem before a charity basketball game.

Celebrities expected to attend include actress Shannon Elizabeth, Jamie-Lynn DiScala of "The Sopranos" and rapper Jermaine Dupri.

Challenge for the Children Foundation was created by 'N Sync in 1999 to raise money for children's programs and charities throughout the country.

 

Timberlake gets political
(7/16/04) Ireland Online

Pop hunk Justin Timberlake is getting involved in politics as the American Presidential election in November draws nearer - and he's supporting the Democrats.

The Rock Your Body singer, 23, will host an exclusive party at a Democratic Convention in Boston later this month in honour of Tennessee politician Harold Ford Jnr.

And, according to insiders, the Democrats are extremely happy to have another high-profile celebrity publically helping with their bid to replace incumbent president George W Bush with leader John Kerry.

A source says: "The Democrats are delighted to have Justin on board."

 

Sugarhill Gang to perform at CFTC
(7/16/04) NSYNC.com (thanks musicfreedom!)

...THE SUGARHILL GANG
Though the Sugarhill Gang inaugurated the history of recorded hip-hop with their single "Rapper's Delight," a multi-platinum seller and radio hit in 1979, the group was cooked up to cash in on a supposed novelty item. Music-industry producer and label-owner Sylvia Robinson had become aware of the massive hip-hop block parties occurring around the New York area during the late '70s, so she gathered three local rappers (Master Gee, Wonder Mike, and Big Bank Hank) to record a single. Infectious and catchy, "Rapper's Delight" borrowed the break from Chic's "Good Times" and became a worldwide hit, eventually selling more than eight million copies. Most industry people figured rap for a short-lived trend, and though they were dead wrong, the Sugarhill Gang certainly didn't carry the torch; despite several modest hits ("8th Wonder," "Apache") the trio faded quickly and was gone by the mid-'80s, only returning in 1999 with Jump on It, a rap album for children. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

 

Late-night joke of the week
(7/16/04) Todd Camp, Robert Philpot Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

"Justin Timberlake announced that, contrary to reports, he will not be able to appear in the movie version of Rent. Meanwhile, the other former members of N'Sync announced that, contrary to reports, they will not be able to pay their rent."

-- Conan O'Brien, host of NBC's Late Night With Conan O'Brien