Monster Mash: Breaking news and headlines

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-- Something to dance about: ‘Billy Elliot’ tops nominees for 2009 Tony Awards with a record 15 nods. Full list of nominees here; the Los Angeles connections; the surprising snubs.

-- More honors for ‘Billy’: Lynn Nottage’s ‘Ruined,’ ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Black Watch’ win New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards.

-- ‘Billy’ wasn’t eligible here: ‘Frost/Nixon,’ ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Wicked’ win Touring Broadway awards.

-- Sold to another: Philippe de Montebello testifies that Brooke Astor pledged a $10-million Impressionist painting to the Metropolitan Museum.

-- With friends like this...: Art historians say Paul Gauguin chopped off his friend Vincent Van Gogh’s ear during a fight.

-- Preservation needed: Havana’s historic architecture is at risk of crumbling into dust.

-- Sell-off: A Madoff victim quietly puts a Picasso up for sale in New York.

-- New direction: Filmmaker David Lynch is set to exhibit artwork for the next Danger Mouse album.

-- Now you see it: An art student creates a disappearing car.

--Lisa Fung