Studdard won't stand idle

Boston Arts Academy students got a special treat yesterday when "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard showed up at school. The Season two "Idol" champ is in town to star in "Ain't Misbehavin' ," which is at the Strand Theatre April 10-12. Studdard was joined yesterday by Hizzoner Tom Menino.

Jim Sheridan saw South Boston at its hard-boiled best the other day while scouting locations for his new movie. The celebrated filmmaker, who's set to direct the movie based on "Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob," witnessed a street fight during a daylong tour of sites associated with Whitey Bulger. We're told Sheridan and producer Michael Cerenzie were outside a variety store on Old Colony Avenue when a couple of 20-something tough guys tumbled onto the sidewalk taking swings at each other. Someone in the filmmaker's party was carrying a small handheld camera and shot video of the melee. The director of the Oscar-nominated "In the Name of the Father" and "My Left Foot," Sheridan plans to begin filming "Black Mass" this summer. The cast isn't set yet. Sheridan, who wrote the "Black Mass" script with his partner Nye Heron, hooked up with the book's authors, former Globies Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill, while touring Southie. Their itinerary included stops at the Mary Ellen McCormack and Old Colony housing projects, Castle Island, the South Boston Liquor Mart, Thomas Park, Murphy's Law, the former Triple O's bar on West Broadway, the mob burial ground near Florian Hall in Dorchester, and the old Mafia headquarters at 98 Prince St. in the North End. (The group had lunch at the Farragut House.) Perhaps because it was raining during Sheridan's time here, we're told the Irishman felt right at home, and is looking forward to working on the film.

There were some familiar faces at the American Cancer Society's gala at the Fairmont Copley the other night. Curt Schilling's wife, Shonda, and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley attended the event, which raised more than $200,000 to support the costs of the ACS's new AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Boston.

J. Geils Band could get used to these reunion gigs. Not only is the band playing another Boston date April 28 at the House of Blues - tickets cost $99 and go on sale Saturday - Peter Wolf, Magic Dick, Seth Justman, Danny Klein, and Jay Geils are booking shows in their home away from home: Detroit. That's right, J. Geils is taking its "House Party" on the road, playing at the Fillmore Detroit April 24 as part of WCSX-FM's "Birthday Breakdown." (Tickets there cost $49.50 and $59.50.) In its heyday, J. Geils played frequently in the Motor City, and two of the band's three live albums were recorded there. (Only a portion of "Blow Your Face Out" was recorded in Detroit.) Wolf and company last played in Detroit on New Year's Eve 1999. The band is playing another Boston show because tickets to its February gig sold out in 40 minutes.

Chuck Hogan isn't waiting for cameras to roll on the movie based on his book "The Prince of Thieves." The Bay State scribe is preparing to puff his new project, "The Strain," a horror novel written with "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo del Toro. "It was too much fun to pass up," Hogan told us. "Guillermo and I worked on it for a year on just a handshake - no contract with a publisher, nothing - and when we thought we had it, we went to William Morrow." "The Strain," the first in a trilogy, is being positioned to be the book of the summer. It's getting a ton of pre-pub hype and will be published in 20 languages. (It comes out in June.) Meanwhile, the movie based on "The Prince of Thieves" is moving more slowly. Renamed "The Town," the heist-romance hybrid will be directed by Ben Affleck, who has said he plans to shoot in Charlestown. Could Matt Damon be in the cast? Maybe. In an interview posted yesterday on People.com, Affleck said the two will be working together on a project next year.

Harvard grad James Toback was back in Boston yesterday to hype his new film, "Tyson," which is a documentary of sorts about former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Toback, who graduated from the World's Greatest University in 1966, told us he was "never in any way a typical Harvard guy."

Lady GaGa's fans went ga-ga for the splashy singer after her sold-out House of Blues show. The acolytes appeared at the Nine Zero Hotel at 2 a.m. trying to catch a glimpse of her, and they were not disappointed. Clad in a miniskirt, fishnets, and dark sunglasses, Lady GaGa held an impromptu photo session in the lobby with her adoring fans. . . . Former VP Al Gore was not nearly so flamboyant while dining at the Legal Sea Foods Park Square before his talkfest at the Wang.

"Today" host Matt Lauer will address Harvard students as part of the school's graduation ceremonies. Lauer was selected as the Senior Class Day speaker June 3. Senior class committee member Lumumba Seegars said Lauer's job gives him a unique perspective on the issues that affect students and society in general. He said students were "incredibly excited" to land Lauer. Geez, kids today.

Longtime Channel 25 reporter Debbie Rodman is looking for work. Rodman, who'd been a general assignment reporter at WFTX-TV since 2000, was let go Monday, according to the station. Her contract was not renewed. Two weeks ago, the station laid off six off-camera employees, including people in Web promotions.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld dropped by Papa Razzi in Concord the other day. Seems Seinfeld was looking at a classic Ferrari, and stopped in for a Caesar salad, chicken parmesan, and chocolate cake.

Johnny Diaz of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.