NEWS & REVIEWS

Dr. Derek on call

Independent Spirit Award-winner Derek Luke (for his role as Antwone Fisher) has joined the cast of TNT's "HawthoRNe," the powerful medical drama starring and executive-produced by Jada Pinkett Smith. In a multi-episode arc that began with the June 14 season premiere, Luke is playing the role of Dr. Miles Bourdet, a young surgeon who arrives at James River Hospital to become the protege of Dr. Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan). More »

Roxbury lawyer finds new life as musician

Roxbury resident Lance Houston is chasing a dream. The educated lawyer-turned-flugelhorn-player has walked away from a steady paycheck to try his hand at making it in music. More »

in the Mix

I met up with Pebbles for dinner at Kingfish before we headed over to Ned Devine's in Faneuil Hall to check out Santi DeOleo's fashion show for his line of T-shirts called the Modus Collection. The shirts are really funky, fashionable and fun. The night kicked off with a VIP reception mixed with a little bit of food, drink and music, and most importantly a catwalk of young and nubile models strutting down the runway to techno and hip hop beats. More »

Review: Baby It's You

Before the Supremes, there were the Shirelles. Think of "Mama Said," "Dedicated to the One I Love," and "I Met Him on a Sunday," to name just a few of this group's early breakthrough hits. A major 1960's girl group, the Shirelles made their name singing original numbers unlike many contemporary vocalists and groups who often depend on covers. More »

Review: Tarzan

Large scale musicals are always a tricky proposition. Take "Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark" at Broadway's Foxwoods Theatre. Even with major revision, the comic-book-based show needs more personalization and less expensive effect (but more about that in a later column). More »