Odds & Ends: Steve Kazee's Shameless, Michelle Obama Pens Broadway Fan Mail & More

Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.

Tony Winner Steve Kazee's Shameless
We’re shamelessly excited about this. Broadway favorite Steve Kazee (Once, To Be Or Not To Be, 110 in the Shade, Spamalot) will join the cast of Showtime’s Shameless in a big recurring role. Deadline reports that the Tony winner will play a rock musician who crosses paths with Emmy Rossum’s character.

The Obamas Think Raisin's LaTanya Richardson Jackson Steals The Show
This is some fan mail. LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Tony nominated for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun, recently received high praise from none other than the First Lady of the United States, after the Obamas saw the classic play. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michelle Obama's missive included the phrase: "Barack and I both agree that your portrayal of Mama stole the show.” The production plays through June 15 at the Ethel Barrymore.

The Black Stars of the Great White Way Will Align at Carnegie Hall
Tony winners Billy Porter, Hinton Battle, Chuck Cooper and Ben Vereen, along with Clifton Davis, Brandon Victor Dixon, Andre De Shields and more will join the previously reported Norm Lewis in The Black Stars of The Great White Way on June 23 at Carnegie Hall. One of the evening's highlights will be the inaugural presentation of The Black Stars of The Great White Way Award by Phylicia Rashad, Chita Rivera and Cicely Tyson to honorees including the first African American to play the Phantom, Robert Guillaume. Lewis is currently playing the role on Broadway, the first African American to do so in New York. Surely a duet is on the cards?

Gone Girl's Gillian Flynn to Rewrite Shakespeare
Gone Girl bestselling author Gillian Flynn is going to write a new version of Hamlet. According to The New York Times, the idea of the project is to make Shakespeare more accessible in today’s world. Before that, of course, we have the film adaptation of Gone Girl to look forward to, which along with Ben Affleck features stage vets including Tony nominee Neil Patrick Harris and Rosamund Pike.

Jane Lynch Channels Her Dark Side, Again
Broadway alums Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk and Kevin Shinick will appear in an upcoming Team Unicorn pilot. Deadline reports that the episode, inspired by the Team Unicorn cartoons, is a modern take on cartoon/live-action hybrid shows, but aimed at adults. Lynch will voice the evil Dark Puba, Tudyk her sidekick Chummy Cherub and Shinick will be the show’s announcer.