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German author earns Nobel literature prize

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Author Herta Muller's grim portrayal of the underclass and repression earned her the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel Foundation in Sweden said.

Muller, "with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed," the Swedish Academy said Wednesday when announcing the award.

Muller grew up in a German-speaking town in Romania, the daughter of parents who were a German-speaking minority in the country.

She studied German and Romanian literature at the university in Timisoara, Romania, where she associated with Aktionsgruppe Banat, a group of German-speaking authors opposed to Nicolae Ceausescu's dictatorship, the Nobel Foundation said in a release.

Muller debuted in 1982 with a collection of short stories, "Niederungen," which was immediately censored in Romania. An uncensored version was published in Germany while "Druckender Tango" was released in Romania, the foundation said. In these two works, Muller wrote of life in a small, German-speaking village and the corruption, intolerance and repression found there.

Because Muller publicly criticized the Ceausescu's repressive regime in Romania, she was barred from publishing in her own country.

In 1987, she emigrated to Germany with her husband, author Richard Wagner. She lives in Berlin.

Muller has been a guest lecturer on the worldwide university circuit. Since 1995, she has been a member of Deutsche Akademie fur Sprache und Dichtung (the German Academy for Language and Poetry) in Darmstadt.

Karimloo, Boggess set for 'Phantom' sequel

LONDON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess have been cast as the Phantom and Christine in the upcoming West End London musical, "Love Never Dies," show producers said.

The sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" is to have its world premiere in London at the Adelphi Theatre March 9. It continues the story of the Phantom, who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of the Phantom from Paris, the show is described in a news release as "a roller coaster ride of obsession and intrigue ... in which music and memory can play cruel tricks."

Based on the French novel by Gaston Leroux, the stage musical, "The Phantom of the Opera," has been seen by more than 100 million people and is regarded by many as the most successful entertainment entity in history, its producers said.

Karimloo will create the role of the Phantom in "Love Never Dies," having already played the role to great acclaim in "The Phantom of the Opera" in London. He also played Raoul in the West End production of "Phantom," as well as the role of Christine's father in Joel Schumacher's film adaptation. His other stage credits include "Les Miserables" in the West End, the U.K. tour of "Miss Saigon" and the U.K. tour of "Sunset Boulevard."

Boggess made her Broadway debut in the lead role of Ariel in Disney's "The Little Mermaid." "Love Never Dies" will mark her West End debut.

Previews of "Love" are to begin Feb. 20. The show will then premiere in New York in November 2010 and in Australia in 2011.

Adrien Brody joins 'Predators' cast

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Hollywood's 20th Century Fox has hired Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody to star in "Predators," the latest installment in the "Predator" film franchise.

Brody is best known for his roles in "The Pianist," "King Kong" and "The Darjeeling Limited."

Variety said he has signed on to play a mercenary who battles alien hunters in "Predators," which is being produced by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. It is set for a July 9, 2010 release.

Also cast in the picture are Alice Braga, Danny Trejo, Walt Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali and Louiz Ozawa, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

'Down' is No. 1 on the U.S. record chart

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Jay Sean's "Down" featuring Lil Wayne is No. 1 on the U.S. record chart this week, Billboard.com reported Thursday.

The Black Eyed Peas held the top spot for 26 consecutive weeks -- first with their song "Boom Boom Pow" for 12 weeks and then with "I Gotta Feeling" for 14.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week is Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A.," followed by Jay-Z's "Run This Town" featuring Rihanna and Kanye West, Jason DeRulo's "Whatcha Say" at No. 4 and the Black Eyed Peas's "I Gotta Feeling" at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" at No. 6, Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" at No. 7, Mariah Carey's "Obsessed" at No. 8, Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" at No. 9 and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys's "Empire State of Mind" at No. 10.