People talk 5/2/02

Chesney's latest album takes over top spot

NEW YORK -- Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" had no problem beating the competition for the top spot on the album chart.

The country singer's latest release debuted at No. 1 for the week ending April 28, according to industry figures released Wednesday.

Chesney sold 235,000 copies, ending the three-week reign of R&B singer Ashanti's self-titled debut album. "Ashanti" has gone platinum after having sold 143,000 copies this past week.

The soundtrack to "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones," featuring the music of John Williams, debuted at No. 6, selling nearly 73,000 copies.

And Wilco's critically acclaimed "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," which Rolling Stone magazine called "the first great album of the year," debuted at No. 13, with 56,000 copies sold.

Actor readies for role as college professor

NEW YORK -- Alec Baldwin will teach a theater class this summer at Southampton College.

The actor will serve as a distinguished professor, teaching a master class at the college, which is part of Long Island University.

Baldwin grew up in Massapequa, Long Island, and lives near the college in Amagansett.

Dean James Larocca praised the 44-year-old actor as "a true artist."

"Like our other distinguished professors, Alec Baldwin is a Renaissance person," Larocca said in a recent statement. "His talent stretches across many mediums, from the Broadway stage to the big screen to literary festivals, public policy, activism and motion picture production."

Baldwin's films include "The Hunt for Red October," "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "Pearl Harbor."

Lennon recordings auctioned for $195,000

LONDON -- Two tape recordings of John Lennon improvising songs and telling stories to his young stepdaughter sold for $195,000 at an auction by Christie's.

On one tape recorded in the summer of 1969, Lennon is heard improvising songs and relating the tale of a dwarf who lived in the garden to Kyoko, his 6-year-old stepdaughter by Yoko Ono. The cassette brought $110,000.

The second tape is a 25-minute recording of Lennon developing the melody and lyrics of the song "She Said She Said," which was later released on the Beatles' "Revolver" album.

The tape, which contained lyrics that never made it into the finished version, sold for $85,200.

A private collector from the United States bought both recordings at Tuesday's auction.

The rare Lennon recordings were the star lots in what proved to be Christie's best-ever sale of pop memorabilia, which grossed a total of $770,000.

Madonna rehearses for London stage play

LONDON -- Madonna gave a sneak preview of her new acting role as she rehearsed for her West End stage debut.

The pop queen posed for a series of arty black-and-white shots as she prepared to open in a sellout run of the play "Up for Grabs."

In one shot, many Madonna fans might have been left wondering "Who's That Girl?" as she stood in silhouette with light flooding through a doorway behind her.

She appeared to be enjoying herself Tuesday as she rehearsed the biting satire on the art world, which first opened in Sydney, Australia, last year, breaking box office records there.

Previews of the show, which also stars Tom Irwin, begin May 13 at Wyndham's Theater and the production will officially open 10 days later.

Singer concerned over clothing firm's troubles

NEW YORK -- Colombian singer Shakira said she would not have supported the teen clothing line Delia's had she known it was caught up in accusations of unfair labor practices.

Shakira, who models clothing for the company in its spring catalog and on posters, said she did not know Delia's made clothes in a Brooklyn factory caught in a wage dispute until it was reported in the Daily News.-- From wire reports