AP Entertainment Digest for Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020

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UPDATES with TOM CRUISE-RANT, GERMANY-MUSEUM HEIST

FILM-MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” one of the year’s top Oscar contenders, is the second August Wilson adaptation, following 2016′s “Fences,” in an effort led by Denzel Washington to bring the playwright’s plays to the big screen -- or, in this case, Netflix. Viola Davis, director George C. Wolfe and Wilson’s widow, Constanza Romero discuss the project, including the final performance of Chadwick Boseman. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. UPCOMING: 900 words by 4 p.m., photos.

YE-AP BREAKTHROUGH ENTERTAINERS-YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN — It’s been a strange and bittersweet year for Yahya Abdul-Mateen, capped by an Emmy as Dr. Manhattan in HBO’s lauded series “Watchmen.” That role, along with performances in the films “All Day and a Night” and Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” which he portrays Black Panther Bobby Seale, has earned him the recognition of one of AP’s Breakthrough Entertainers for 2020. By Gary Gerard Hamilton. SENT: 713 words, photos and video.

YE-AP BREAKTHROUGH ENTERTAINERS-DAISY EDGAR-JONES — When 22-year-old Daisy Edgar-Jones ditched her British accent for the dulcet Irish tones of Marianne in “Normal People,” the actor’s stardom hit a new trajectory. Launched during a global lockdown, the actor jokes in an interview she had a “captive audience” with a lot of spare time. It also helped lead to her selection as one of the AP’s 2020 Breakthrough Entertainers. By Louise Dixon. SENT: 659 words, photos and video.

FILM-HOMESCHOOL MUSICAL — A new special on HBO Max called “Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020” and hosted by Broadway star Laura Benanti offers a window onto Gen Z and how they’re dealing with the pandemic. By Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy. SENT: 711 words, photos.

TOM CRUISE-RANT — Tom Cruise has launched an expletive-laden rant at colleagues on the set of his latest “Mission: Impossible” movie after he spotted two workers failing to abide by social distancing rules. In audio released Wednesday by the Sun tabloid, Cruise can be heard warning that anyone caught not following the rules to stay at least 2 meters (more than 6.5 feet) away from others will be fired. SENT: 248 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN THEATER — When Andrew Lincoln steps onstage at London’s Old Vic Theatre as Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” he looks out on an empty auditorium. The spectators are staring at screens. In this pandemic year, the Old Vic’s seasonal production of Charles Dickens’ classic is being livestreamed nightly. By Jill Lawless. SENT: 840 words, photos.

BOOKS-ELIZABETH WARREN — Sen. Elizabeth Warren has a book coming out about six key experiences and perspectives. The title of the book out April 20 should be familiar to those who have followed the Massachusetts Democrat’s career: “Persist. By Hillel Italie. SENT: 333 words, photos.

GERMANY-MUSEUM HEIST — Berlin police have raided homes and jewelry shops on suspicion they could be connected to efforts to fence a massive 100-kilogram (220 pound) Canadian gold coin that was stolen from a museum in the German capital. The coin, with an estimated value of 3.75 million euros ($4.45 million) was stolen from Berlin’s Bode Museum in 2017 and has not yet been recovered. By David Rising. SENT: 321 words, photo.

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FILM REVIEW-WONDER WOMAN 1984. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT Tuesday: 809 words, film stills.

FILM REVIEW-ASSASSINS. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. Upcoming: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.

MUSIC REVIEW-PAUL McCARTNEY. By Scott Bauer. SENT Monday: 280 words, album cover

BOOK REVIEW-FOOL ME TWICE. By Jeff Lindsay. Reviewed by Bruce DeSilva. SENT Monday: 340 words, cover image.