LOS ANGELES — With a celebrity-studded crowd looking on, Rihanna rocked the halftime show at the NBA All-Star game on her 23rd birthday.

She had other big names help her sing her hits Sunday, with Drake joining in on “What’s My Name?” and working “happy birthday” into the lyrics. Dripping in gold chains, a red-clad Kanye West came out for “All of the Lights,” which is off his latest album but features Rihanna.

At halftime, the lights inside Staples Center went out and the video screens filled with water droplets, setting the stage for Rihanna to emerge from behind a wall singing “Umbrella.”

The red-haired singer soon shed her short black suit jacket and white scarf to reveal a short black skirt and a rhinestone halter. She shimmied her way through “Only Girl (In the World).”

While it was a working day for Rihanna, her fellow music stars relaxed in their seats while watching the 60th annual All-Star game.

Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z sat courtside, with Justin Bieber (MVP of Friday’s All-Star celebrity game) two seats away. Later, Rihanna sat courtside next to 16-year-old Bieber, making for a striking contrast between her flaming long hair and his famous shaggy ‘do.

‘Spider-Man’ musical hires director to help with sound

NEW YORK — The trouble-plagued Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” has hired a veteran director to help with the show’s sound and arrangements.

Show spokesman Rick Miramontez said Paul Bogaev will work with U2’s Bono and The Edge on the music for the $65 million show.

“Spider-Man” is due to open March 15. It has been delayed several times, had a main actress quit and suffered numerous accidents that have left several actors hospitalized.

Bogaev was musical director on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express” and “Sunset Boulevard.” He won a Tony nomination in 2004 for his work on “Bombay Dreams.” He has a history of working with rock musicians who are crafting musicals, including “Tarzan” with Phil Collins and “Aida” with Elton John.

Author McEwan accepts prize, criticizes settlements

JERUSALEM — Renowned British novelist Ian McEwan accepted an Israeli literary prize in Jerusalem on Sunday with harsh criticism of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, after British writers called on the author to stay home because of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians.

At an acceptance ceremony for the Jerusalem Prize, McEwan praised Israel’s technological and artistic advances but asked, “Where is Israel’s political creativity?”

The novelist rebuked the “nihilism” of the Islamic militant Hamas, which has called for the destruction of Israel and has fired rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli towns. He also criticized Israel with the same term, saying “it is nihilism to make a long-term prison camp of the Gaza Strip.”

Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of the seaside Palestinian territory since Hamas took over the enclave by force in 2007.

Filmmaker Stone wins festival award

BOULDER, Colo. — Director Oliver Stone has been awarded a “Master of Cinema” award by the Boulder International Film Festival.

The Boulder Daily Camera reported the award was presented Sunday, the last night of the festival.

Stone’s films have been nominated for 31 Academy Awards, and he has won three Oscars: best adapted screenplay for “Midnight Express,” and best director for “Platoon” and “Born on the Fourth of July.”