A new Broadway musical about Tupac Shakur just overcame one MASSIVE roadblock -- TMZ has learned, producers have obtained the approval of the rapper's notoriously protective mother ... who LOVES the show.
A rep for the Shakur family tells TMZ, producers personally gave Afeni Shakur a rough preview of "Holler If You Hear Me" -- the new musical by black theater legend Kenny Leon, based on Tupac's music.
According to the rep, Kenny wanted Afeni's approval before proceeding with the show -- and he GOT IT ... we're told Afeni was "ecstatic" and can't wait for the show to premiere.
The musical isn't about Tupac personally -- it's a fictional story about two childhood friends in a Midwestern industrial city and their extended families.
A Broadway premiere date hasn't been set -- but we're told Leon plans to start casting next week.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
1445Tupac's Mom -- 'ECSTATIC' About New Musical | TMZ.com
1439Kat vs. Kat -- Who'd You Rather? | TMZ.com
"Smash" babe Katharine McPhee and "30 Rock" starlet Katrina Bowden both made nice at an event in NYC on Thursday.
Question is ...
1429Gerard Butler -- Out of Rehab, Back on the Party Scene | TMZ.com
Just two days after leaving rehab at the Betty Ford Center, a refreshed and healthier looking Gerard Butler hit up the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in L.A. on Sunday.
Butler spent three weeks in treatment after realizing he was relying too heavily on prescription medication.
TMZ broke the story ... Butler began using pain meds to deal with the pain caused by the intense physical training regimen to get in shape for "300" ... and the problem became exacerbated after he injured himself in a surfing accident while filming "Of Men and Mavericks" back in December.
1419Oscars 2012 -- Hits, Runs and Errors | TMZ.com
1413Gerard Butler In Rehab [Update] | TMZ.com
12:04 PM PST -- Gerard's manager, Alan Siegel tells TMZ, "Gerard left Betty Ford early this morning and he's healthy."
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Gerard Butler is being treated for substance abuse at the Betty Ford Center ... TMZ has learned.
Butler's problems were triggered by the physical demands of shooting "300" in 2006 (see video below of Gerard preparing for the role). We're told the actor began struggling with pain management, and the problem became exacerbated while filming "Of Men and Mavericks," when Butler was badly hurt on December 18 during a surfing accident.
We're told Butler realized he was relying too much on prescription drugs and decided to head off a full-blown addiction by entering Betty Ford three weeks ago.
Sources tell TMZ ... Butler also developed issues with cocaine, but the root problem appears to be the injuries and pain management.
We're told Butler will be leaving Betty Ford later today.
1403Rihanna & Chris Brown TOGETHER Again... on "Birthday Cake" & "Turn Up The Music" | TMZ.com
Rihanna and Chris Brown have reconciled ... at least professionally ... because the former couple have collaborated on 2 brand new songs.
It's only been 3 years since Brown pummeled Rihanna's face during a late night argument in L.A. ... but the singer and her ex-con ex-BF have each released songs featuring the other's voice. One is a remix of Rihanna's song, "Birthday Cake" and the other is a new version of Chris Brown's, "Turn Up the Music (below)."
Both songs hit the Internet this week ... and both Rihanna and Brown have been pushing the songs on Twitter.
The songs seem to prove the rumors ... that Rihanna has forgiven Brown and is willing to move on. Earlier this week, Brown tweeted Rihanna "Happy Birthday" ... and Rihanna actually responded, "Thanks."
Rihanna is currently in London (see photo above) ... and Chris Brown was most recently seen in Miami.
As we previously reported, Brown is currently in a relationship with a woman named Karrueche Tran ... and we're told the two seem very happy together.
Friday, April 20, 2012
1393Lindsay Lohan -- Doing 'Saturday Night Live' Was My Idea | TMZ.com
Lindsay Lohan was DYING to do "Saturday Night Live" again -- and kickstart her comeback -- so she reached out to Lorne Michaels herself to book the hosting gig ... TMZ has learned.
Sources close to Lindsay tell TMZ she has always felt the "SNL" executive producer has been very fatherly towards her throughout the years. We're told LiLo has always enjoyed doing the show, but was waiting for the right time to do it again.
So now that her community service is coming to an end, our sources say Lindsay called up Lorne and asked him to consider her for the show again. We're told they had multiple conversations and eventually settled on a date ... March 3.
According to our sources, Lindsay feels doing "SNL" again will remind people she's an actress ... not a defendant.
