[...] Nyong’o is coming to the Public Theatre, in her first New York stage role. “Eclipsed” (starting previews Sept. 29), which tells the story of a group of women held captive during the Liberian Civil War, in 2003 [...] Nyong’o has also advocated for international causes, from elephant conservation to ending prejudice against albinos.

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron appears among the odds-on favorites to take home a Best Director Oscar on Sunday for his space thriller “Gravity.” The 52-year-old Mexico City native, Cuaron gained fame for his 2001 film “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” an insightful look at Mexican youth struggling with class, prejudice and sexuality issues.