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THEATER/BOOK BITS: Zadie wins; Givens’ autobiography; ‘Hot Feet’ benefit; popular ‘Color Purple’; Rubin-Vega in ‘Les Miz.’
*Author Zadie Smith won the Orange Prize for Fiction on Tuesday with her third novel, "On Beauty." The 30-year-old was favored to earn the $53,600 prize, which celebrates excellence in English-language writing by women. Set at an Ivy League college and modeled on E.M. Forster's "Howards End," the novel beat a shortlist that included "The History of Love" by American novelist Nicole Krauss and Australian writer Carrie Tiffany's "Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living."
*The Robin Givens autobiography detailing her abusive marriage to Mike Tyson will finally be released in January from Miramax. “Grace Will Lead Me Home,” co-written by Lori Giachin, tells of the domestic violence that has been present in her family for three generations. She describes the first time Tyson punched her. "Delivered coldly, dispassionately" he "easily tossed my 105-pound frame across the room," she writes, adding that the boxer then sliced her clothing and choked her.
*The producers of the Broadway dance musical “Hot Feet” are partnering with the American Diabetes Association to present a week-long charity fundraiser titled, “American Diabetes Week On Broadway With Hot Feet,” to take place June 22 through 29 at the Hilton Theatre in New York’s Times Square (213 West 42nd St.) "We're thrilled to be working with “Hot Feet” not only to raise money for the ADA's all important efforts in research and education, but also to increase awareness about this health crisis," said David Scott, III, MD, president of the American Diabetes Association's New York City Leadership Council. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For detailed information about diabetes, go the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org.
*“The Color Purple” is the top winner in the 7th Annual Broadway.com Audience Awards poll, which asks regular theatergoers to select their favorite plays of the year. The Oprah Winfrey-produced adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel earned five wins: the coveted category of Favorite New Broadway Musical; and two awards each for two of its female stars. LaChanze (Celie) won for Favorite Leading Actress in a Broadway Musical and Favorite Diva Performance. Felicia P. Fields (Sofia) took home Favorite Featured Actress and Favorite Breakthrough Performance.
*Daphne Rubin-Vega, best known for her starring role in Broadway’s “Rent,” has been cast in the upcoming Broadway revival of “Les Miserables.” The actress will play the role of Fantine during the show’s run at the Broadhurst Theatre beginning October 22. “Les Miz” officially opens on Nov. 9.
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