Quick Takes: Munch thieves convicted

A Swedish court on Wednesday convicted three men of stealing a valuable painting by Edvard Munch from a museum that didn’t realize it was missing.

The Malmo District Court in Stockholm said the men, who were not identified, were guilty of stealing the Norwegian Expressionist’s canvas and two works by Swedish artists with a total value of $1.5 million.

Police found the stolen goods while investigating other crimes. The paintings were taken from the Malmo Art Museum, although when or how still isn’t clear.

The court jailed one of the men for six months, fined the other two and ordered all three to pay damages amounting to about $5,000.

—Associated Press

‘Spider-Man’ actor recovering

The actor who suffered a skull fracture and cracked vertebrae when he fell 30 feet while playing Spider-Man on Broadway is out of the intensive care unit and has begun inpatient rehabilitation.

Tim Tierney says that his son Christopher was able to walk without a walker but with the help of a full-torso brace on Tuesday before being discharged from the hospital and transferred to a New York City rehabilitation facility.

Christopher Tierney fell Dec. 20 during a performance of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” plunging from a ledge into a stage pit despite a safety harness that should have prevented it.

The $65-million show — the most expensive ever on Broadway — canceled two preview performances, then reopened after instituting new safety and security measures.

—Associated Press

Leguizamo plans new show in N.Y.

John Leguizamo is readying the latest installment of his life for a Broadway run.

The 46-year-old comedian-actor will bring a new one-man autobiographical show, “Ghetto Klown,” to the Lyceum Theatre in New York beginning Feb. 21. The show officially opens March 22 and runs 12 weeks.

“Ghetto Klown” will delve into the early days of Leguizamo’s acting career and his roles in Hollywood. It will follow in the tradition of his shows “Spic-O-Rama,” “Freak” and “Sexaholix.”

Leguizamo won an Emmy for his monologue “Freak,” which originally appeared on Broadway in 1998.

—Associated Press

Swift tops charts, Foxx opens big

Jamie Foxx had the bestselling new album last week, but the top of the pop sales charts were filled with familiar faces, Billboard reported Wednesday.

At No. 1 was Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now,” the fourth time it has placed first since the album was released Oct. 25. It sold 276,000 copies during the week ending Dec. 26, Billboard said, citing data from Nielsen SoundScan.

Susan Boyle’s “The Gift” was second, with 240,000 units sold, and the “Glee” Christmas album was third, with 160,000 copies sold.

Foxx’s “Best Night of My Life” finished at No. 6 with 144,000 copies sold. Billboard said his previous album, “Intuition,” entered the list at No. 3 in 2008 with sales of 265,000.

The trade publication said that a total of 319 million albums have been sold this year, down 13% from the same point in 2009.

—From a Times staff writer

Calling HR on ’30 Rock’s’ boss

If you think your co-workers are a handful, take a good look at the characters on your favorite shows. A recent study conducted by Global Compliance found that most people on TV are far from politically correct, constantly violating ethics in the workplace.

The biggest offender? “30 Rock,” which averages 11 violations per episode. On one show, Jack (Alec Baldwin) comments that a “chick lawyer” who handles sexual harassment presentations is “asking for it.”

According to Global Compliance, which is devoted to helping organizations achieve the highest degree of ethical behavior, Jack’s remark violates guidelines for diversity, equal opportunity and respect in the workplace.

“Grey’s Anatomy” placed second, with seven violations per episode, including an incident in which Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) shares patient information with someone not authorized to receive it. Her crime: violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

—CNN

‘Women’ moves up final staging

The Broadway musical based on the Pedro Almodóvar film “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” will close earlier than expected.

Producers said the show will end its run on Sunday. It was initially expected to close Jan. 23. The new date means the musical will have had 30 previews and 69 performances.

The show was faithful to Almodóvar’s 1988 movie both in narrative and bold, visual style. It stars Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sherie Rene Scott.

—Associated Press