Monster Mash: Backlash over Obama's Broadway trip; Susan Boyle hospitalized; Lester Horton Dance Awards

-- Costly night out: Republicans grumble about taxpayers footing the bill for Barack and Michelle Obama's trip to Broadway.

-- In need of a break: Scottish singer Susan Boyle reportedly suffers an "emotional breakdown" after losing "Britain's Got Talent" contest to dance group Diversity. Her brother says she's "fine" but perhaps "a wee bit homesick." 

-- Local troupes honors: Method Contemporary Dance Company wins outstanding achievement honors from Lester Horton Dance Awards.

-- A new type of toy story: Universal Pictures is in a deal with Mattel to create a live-action musical film based on a monster toy. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray") will do the music. 

-- In court: Chicano artist Frank Romero sues Caltrans over a painted-over mural on the Hollywood Freeway.

-- Financial turnaround: After a decade of financial uncertainty, Mass MOCA appears on track to breaking even.

-- Kent Nagano's new home: Design is unveiled for $259-million Montreal Symphony Orchestra concert hall.

-- Grand (re)opening: The Huntington unveils its newly expanded Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art, one of a number of museum galleries dedicated to American art. Christopher Knight reviews.

-- Raising awareness: New York painter Eric Fischl organizes "America Now + Here," a planned cross-country exhibition of art, theater, music and poetry.

-- Still available: An oil painting depicting a nude Madonna and ex-husband Guy Ritchie fails to sell at auction in Scotland.

-- Heading east: Goodman Theatre's double bill of O'Neill's "Hughie" and Beckett's "Krapp's Last Tape" sets April 2010 Broadway opening.

-- As expected: Geoff Nuttall named artistic director of Spoleto Festival USA chamber music series.

-- New leadership: Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Ortiz and John Gould Rubin step down as artistic directors of LAByrinth Theater Company.

-- Something's fishy here: Chicago's Shedd Aquarium offers a course in sushi making.

Photo: Frank Romero in front of his mural "Going to the Olympics" before it was painted over by Caltrans. Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times