The Pittsburgh Symphony announced Friday it has hired three musicians this season: Timothy Hutchins, the new principal flutist, held the same chair in the Montreal Symphony, with which he made more than 70 recordings under music director Charles Dutoit. He’s also been guest principal flute of the Boston Symphony and New York Philharmonic. Adam Liu, new associate principal cellist, also comes from the Montreal Symphony. Laura Motchalov, second violins, joins the orchestra after earning her master’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She began playing with the symphony one week before the spring European tour. – Mark Kanny Rosie, Boy George believe in Broadway’s ‘Taboo’ When it comes to “Taboo,” Rosie O’Donnell has put her money where her mouth is. The former talk-show diva is the producer and sole investor in the $10 million Boy George musical, opening Nov. 13 on Broadway. “I always think: Go big or go home,” O’Donnell said this week during a news conference at a Times Square Internet cafe to kick off Web site ticket sales for the production, which will begin preview performances Oct. 24 at the Plymouth Theatre. “Taboo,” O’Donnell said, is “a legitimate, knock-’em-down, leave-’em-screaming, worth-a-$100-a-seat Broadway show.” She confidently predicted it would win the Tony Award for best musical next June. In terms of sartorial hyperbole, though, the 41-year-old O’Donnell — dressed simply in denim and a “Taboo” T-shirt — was out-glammed by the man who stars in the show and wrote its music and lyrics. George, while clothed mostly in basic black, let his makeup speak for itself. Speak• The look positively shouted. It included one ear painted blue, his left eye surrounded by silver glitter, an abundance of red lipstick and eyelashes that Tammy Faye Bakker would envy. To top it off, streaks of black makeup cascaded from the top of the 42-year-old’s shaved head. “Taboo,” which had a 15-month run in England, focuses on two members of the early ’80s London club scene: performance artist and designer Leigh Bowery and a young singer-songwriter named George O’Dowd, who became Boy George. O’Donnell saw the show during its London engagement and thought, “‘If I can make this happen (on Broadway) it would be unreal.’ The score was brilliant. All I felt that was needed was … some of the real story of what happened to these people being more accurately reflected.” As a result, O’Donnell has hired Charles Busch, author of “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” to rewrite the book for Broadway. Euan Morton will play George, the role he originated in London, and George will portray Bowery. – The Associated Press Armani to receive first Rodeo Drive award Like many Hollywood events, the inaugural “Rodeo Drive Walk of Style” awards ceremony was canceled last March after the United States went to war against Iraq. But the show is back on. Tuesday, Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani will be in Beverly Hills to accept the award, a miniature bronze version of Robert Graham’s “Torso” statue unveiled in June at Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way as the new symbol of the street. One of the most influential designers of the 1980s and beyond, Armani, 69, is known for creating the power suit that so many in Hollywood have adopted as a uniform. One of the first designers to understand the importance of the red carpet, he has dressed countless celebrities for awards shows, most famously Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster. Armani has also contributed looks to dozens of films, including “Made” (2001), “The Untouchables” (1987) and “American Gigolo” (1980). On Tuesday night, part of Rodeo Drive will be closed for a show featuring highlights of the Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani fall/winter 2003 collection. Pfeiffer, Foster, Samuel L. Jackson and Harrison Ford are expected to attend. Vanity Fair will host an after-party with the rap group Outkast Djing. Invited guests include celebrities, City of Beverly Hills officials and members of the fashion industry. A joint venture between the Rodeo Drive Committee and the City of Beverly Hills, each year the “Rodeo Drive Walk of Style” will honor a style legend — living or dead — with a permanent plaque, featuring quotes and the signature of the recipient, embedded in the sidewalks of Rodeo Drive. – Los Angeles Times

People in the News

No, Dave Matthews won’t be running for Calif. governor Dave Matthews as a politician? The idea was tossed around Thursday night during the filming of an MTV2 special to promote Matthews’ new solo album, “Some Devil,” due out Sept. 23. Matthews sang tunes from the upcoming album and, at one point, answered questions from the audience of about 200 at MTV’s midtown studios. One fan asked whether the 36-year-old singer-musician would ever consider a career in politics. “What a god-awful job that would be. I have far too much in my past,” Matthews joked. “Some Devil” marks his first solo outing apart from the Dave Matthews Band . The album came about while the band was on break, Matthews said, and contained material that didn’t fit with the group’s vibe. “I think a sabbatical is good,” he said. “It certainly does not mean I’m not dying to get with my band all the time … because I miss them!” “MTV2 Presents: Dave Matthews” will air Sept. 19. Being in France doesn’t scare Harrison Ford Harrison Ford said recent tensions between the United States and France could have a positive effect, and feels no concern about appearing at the 2003 Deauville film festival, where he’s the star guest. “I think the Americans can profit from recognizing other points of view in the world,” Ford told a news conference ahead of Friday’s opening of the 10-day festival in the Normandy resort town. Roman Polanski is presiding over the jury at the annual festival honoring American films. “It’s good to have a certain amount of tension so that one can test (his) ideas against other people’s ideas,” the 61-year-old actor said. Paris opposed the U.S.-led Iraq war, prompting some Americans to refuse spending money on French products or trips here. Ford is in Europe to promote “Hollywood Homicide,” an action comedy by Ron Shelton about two police officers on the Hollywood beat. He plays the older cop, “the bumbling old fool who is out of breath,” Ford said, to his young partner, played by Josh Hartnett . His next challenge, the actor said, will probably be another “Indiana Jones” film with Steven Spielberg , “starting to shoot at the end of the summer next year.” Bob Newhart sells his radio station It’s no joke: Bob Newhart is letting go of his radio station. Station KZBN 1290-AM, also known as “KBOB,” is being sold by the actor-comedian to Wendy McCaw , the owner of the Santa Barbara (Calif.) News-Press. “I’ve owned KZBN since 1995 and I’m proud that we’re one of the most popular nostalgia stations in the country,” Newhart said in a statement Wednesday. “I have enjoyed making it possible for KZBN to share the best music and community-focused programming with our loyal audience.” Newhart, 74, said he had rejected offers from would-be buyers outside the Santa Barbara area and was pleased a local resident will “continue to operate the station in the best interests of our community.” The station is well-known for playing Sinatra-era tunes and for the fast-talking disc jockey known as “The Baron” Ron Herron . KZBN will be bought by Ampersand Broadcasting LLC, an affiliate of Ampersand Publishing LLC, which owns the News-Press paper. McCaw and Ampersand President Joe Cole said they will retain KZBN’s staff and evaluate its content. They said they plan to start live community programming. “We’re still early in the process, but I anticipate providing Santa Barbara with strong local news coverage,” McCaw said in a statement. “I commend Mr. Newhart for keeping the station in the community.” The sale of KZBN is subject to federal approval. Terms of the deal weren’t immediately announced. – The Associated Press

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