LONDON – Shock rocker Alice Cooper made a surprise appearance as a guest performer at the “Rock of Ages” musical in London on Tuesday.

The 64-year-old joined the cast of the West End musical to perform his classic hit “School’s Out” — marking the anniversary of the track hitting No. 1 in the U.K. charts 40 years ago this week.

The audience appeared delighted, dancing and singing along with him. Those who hope to catch him again will be disappointed, though. He said the appearance was a one-off.

As far as musicals go, “Rock of Ages” seemed a good fit for Cooper. The show, which was recently adapted for the big screen with Tom Cruise, is about an aspiring rock star and features classic rocks hits from bands including Bon Jovi, Journey and Poison.

“The songs that they’re playing — everybody knows every word of every song,” Cooper said in an interview with the Associated Press ahead of the show.

He also talked about how it felt to crash a musical.

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“It’s different because it’s not my show so you do feel like a bit of an intruder, but at the same time it complements the show so much,” he said.

Cooper also reflected on the enduring popularity of “School’s Out,” which first became a success in London despite — or because of — calls to ban his group’s concerts due to their shocking theatrics inspired by horror movies.

“I knew it was going to be a hit,” Cooper said. But, he added: “I did not know it was going to have the longevity, it was going to be the national anthem.”

Lachey teaching, reuniting with boy band and dancing with all-stars

NEW YORK – Drew Lachey is not taking it easy before he reunites with boy band 98 Degrees.

Ahead of his 98 Degrees performances Friday on NBC’s “Today” show and Saturday at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pa., he’s busy teaching at a Cincinnati-area performing arts day camp that he opened with his wife, Lea.

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“My wife and I were both so influenced by the arts growing up that we wanted to be able to pass on our knowledge and experience as professional performers to the next generation,” Lachey said.

The Lachey Arts Music Theater Camp is a two-week day camp that runs through Friday. There are 38 kids and Lachey said about 28 of them attend on a full scholarship, learning dance, drama and singing.

After 98 Degrees performs, Lachey, 36, said he has about 10 days off before beginning rehearsals for “Dancing With the Stars All-Stars,” which premieres Sept. 24 on ABC. He won the show’s second season and wants to prove he still has what it takes to be a champion.

This time around Lachey will be paired with Ana Trebunskaya. His former partner Cheryl Burke will dance with Emmitt Smith.

Kris costing Kim dearly in legal fees

LOS ANGELES — Attorneys for Kim Kardashian’s estranged husband sought detailed records Wednesday about her reality shows and details of depositions with her mother and current boyfriend, Kanye West, to prove her 72-day marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries was a fraud.

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The legal bickering means it is unlikely the couple will be granted a divorce, or annulment, as Humphries desires, before next year, attorneys said at a hearing.

Kardashian’s attorney Laura Wasser accused Humphries’ team of overreaching in the effort that has already resulted in $250,000 in legal fees for the model-actress. Lawyers for Humphries recently tried to serve West with a deposition subpoena disguised in a Nordstrom’s box.

Humphries’ attorney Marshall Waller said he wanted to prove the marriage was basically a contrivance to benefit her show and to make money.

Kardashian is the star of the E! Entertainment Television series “Keeping up With the Kardashians,” the network’s top-rated show.

– From news service reports

 


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