Entertainment briefs 4/4/17

Blues musician Brooks dies at 83

CHICAGO -- Chicago blues musician Lonnie Brooks, whose relationship with his adopted hometown was cemented by his hit recording of Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago," has died at age 83.

A prolific musician known for his intense guitar solos and raspy but strong voice, Brooks died Saturday night, his son Ronnie Baker Brooks said Sunday.

Born Lee Baker Jr. in Louisiana, he was focused on playing the guitar when he was noticed and invited to Chicago by soul singer Sam Cooke more than 50 years ago. He stayed and changed his name to Lonnie Brooks.

He recorded a number of albums for Chicago-based Alligator Records' "Living Chicago Blues" series, including classics such as "Bayou Lightning," ''Hot Shot," and "Lone Star Shootout." He appeared in Dan Aykroyd's film "Blues Brothers 2000."

Wilde to star in stage version of '1984'

NEW YORK -- A new stage adaptation of George Orwell's chilling dystopic novel "1984" will star Olivia Wilde, making her Broadway debut.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Scott Rudin said Monday that the play will also star Tom Sturridge and Tony Award-winner Reed Birney. It will begin performances in May at the Hudson Theatre.

First published in 1949, Orwell's classic tale of a society run by Big Brother in which facts are distorted and suppressed in a cloud of "newspeak" has topped the Amazon.com best-seller lists. The play version was created by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan and was nominated for an Olivier Award.

Wilde's film credits include the Academy Award-winning drama "Her," the Golden Globe Award-nominated "Rush" and the indie comedy "Drinking Buddies." She also starred in HBO's rock 'n' roll drama "Vinyl."

-- From wire reports