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Drama students from Parkland school take New York stage again

NEW YORK - The drama students from Florida’s Parkland school have made another surprise stage appearance in New York. This time it was at fundraiser in Central Park for the summer Shakespeare in the Park program. The benefit Monday night included a production of the 1978 Tony-nominated show, “Runaways” by the late Elizabeth Swados. At the end of the show, the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were brought onstage. They performed a piece that was written by Swados for a screenplay of “Runaways” that never materialized. The students appeared during Sunday’s Tony Awards to sing “Seasons of Love” from “Rent.” Their drama teacher, Melody Herzfeld, was honoured during the show. She has been credited with protecting students during a school shooting that killed 17 people.

Doors biographer Jerry Hopkins dead at 82

NEW YORK - Jerry Hopkins, a prolific music journalist who co-wrote a million-selling biography of the Doors that Oliver Stone adapted into a feature film, has died. Hopkins died of heart failure June 3 in Bangkok, his longtime residence. He was 82 and his death was confirmed Tuesday by his son, Nick Hopkins. Hopkins was an early contributor to Rolling Stone who interviewed Jim Morrison and developed a special affinity for the Doors. “No One Here Gets Out Alive,” written by Hopkins and Danny Sugarman, was published in 1980 and was the basis for Stone’s “The Doors.” The movie came out in 1991 and starred Val Kilmer as Morrison.

State Supreme Court won’t remove judge from Meek Mill’s case

PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania’s highest court won’t remove a judge from Meek Mill’s longrunning criminal case, but one justice says the rapper can raise the issue again after a hearing next week. Three judges denied Mill’s request Tuesday to replace Philadelphia Judge Genece Brinkley, and three supported it. The rapper’s lawyers have been levelling harsh criticism at Brinkley for months. Brinkley’s lawyer says she’s been fair.

Actress Rose McGowan indicted on cocaine charge in Virginia

LEESBURG, Va. - A grand jury in Virginia has indicted actress and activist Rose McGowan on one felony count of cocaine possession. News outlets report a Loudoun County grand jury handed down the indictment Monday. Charging documents say cocaine was found in a wallet McGowan left behind on a plane last year. McGowan has maintained the cocaine isn’t hers, suggesting in court papers that the drugs were planted at the behest of movie producer Harvey Weinstein. He couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. McGowan was among the first to accuse Weinstein of sexual assault, and she and others say he’s aggressively sought to discredit his accusers. Weinstein has denied all accusations.