‘United 93’ boosts local actor’s fame
Cheyenne Jackson, formerly of Newport, Wash., and Spokane, is getting plenty of attention for his participation in “United 93.”
Jackson plays Mark Bingham in this critically acclaimed new movie about the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.
He was scheduled to appear on CNN’s “Larry King Live” on Friday, the day of the film’s release, along with Bingham’s mother.
Jackson also was scheduled for the Fox News Channel’s “The Big Story,” hosted by John Gibson.
Although Bingham, the former rugby player, is an important figure in the story, this cannot be termed a “star” role for Jackson. None of the roles are “star” roles; director Paul Greengrass directed the movie as an ensemble piece.
Next up for Jackson: a performance in the workshop version of the upcoming Broadway mega-musical “A Tale of Two Cities,” in the role of Charles Darnay.
Furhman solves JFK case
Mark Fuhrman, talk show host at KGA-AM (The Big Talker, 1510), takes on the John F. Kennedy assassination in his newest true-crime book, “A Simple Act of Murder: Nov. 22, 1963,” due out this week from William Morrow.
Here are excerpts from the book’s own description:
“ “In this gripping and highly personal account, Fuhrman unveils a major clue that had been ignored for 40 years – a breakthrough that will change the debate over the assassination.”
“ “(This) is the investigation that this case should have had from the beginning.”
“ “Yet the conspirators have never been identified or brought to justice. Until now.”
“ “Once you read this book, you’ll know who killed JFK.”
That sound you hear is the sound of eyebrows being raised.
Fuhrman will be doing a national press tour from May 9 to 18.
Opera Plus to Santa Fe
Opera Plus, the Coeur d’Alene opera organization, is planning a package tour to Santa Fe, July 19-23, which will include three performances at the Santa Fe Opera House: “Cendrillon,” “The Magic Flute” and “Salome.”
The package includes four nights in a historic hotel, air fare, backstage tours, and museum and gallery excursions.
Interested in more details? Call (208) 765-1111.
Celtic Woman, hear me roar
A reminder: Celtic Woman, the five-woman Celtic music act as seen on PBS, will be performing in the Spokane Opera House on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
Raitt on the way
Bonnie Raitt has been booked into the Spokane Opera House on Sept. 2.
The veteran slide-guitar-picker and Grammy-winning singer will be joined by bluesman Keb’ Mo’.
Tickets are on sale through TicketsWest.
Bluegrass jams
If you have bluegrass in your blood, check out the Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association’s spring workshops and jam, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Spokane, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive.
Sessions will be held for guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass and vocals.
Bring your instrument, a potluck dish to share at lunch and a fee of $20 (nonmembers) or $5 (members). For more information, go to www.spokanebluegrass.org.