Odds & Ends: Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet to be Seen Stateside, James Corden Taps Tom Hanks & More

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

Cumberbatch's U.S. Hamlet
If you weren’t a complete nutcase who booked tickets to see Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet over a year in advance in a city that’s 3000 miles away from the one you live in, but still wouldn't mind catching him utter "To be, or not to be," never fear. There will be an international broadcast to movie theaters of the Olivier winner and Oscar nominee’s sold-out performance on October 15 via National Theatre Live. Helmed by Lyndsey Turner, Hamlet will play a limited engagement at London’s Barbican Theatre August 5 through October 31. Opening night is set for August 25. Oh, and here's a video of Cumberbatch's recent solo wet dress contest from a Vanity Fair shoot. You're welcome.



James Corden Taps Tom Hanks For Late Late Show
2012 Tony winner James Corden has landed his first guest for The Late Late Show—2013 Tony nominee and two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Corden will now begin hosting duties for the CBS show on March 23, a little later than first scheduled. We can’t wait.

Thomas Sadoski Joins B'way Vets for CBS Pilot
This new CBS sitcom can’t get enough of Broadway alums! Tony nominee Thomas Sadoski (Reasons to Be Pretty), who will soon be seen off-Broadway opposite Amanda Seyfried in Neil LaBute's The Way We Get By, has been tapped for Life in Pieces. TVLine writes that the fomer The Newsroom star will play Matt Short, the middle sibling in the family comedy. As previously reported, the pilot will also feature stage vets Dianne Wiest, Zoe Lister Jones and Colin Hanks.

Lily Tomlin & More Set for Broadway Backwards
Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Lily Tomlin will make a special guest appearance in the upcoming 10th anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards. Also joining the lineup is Honeymoon in Vegas star Rob McClure, who will share hosting duties with You Can’t Take It With You’s Julie Halston. Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the event will take place on March 9 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and benefit both BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York.

Cool Rider Could Be the Gift That Keeps on Giving
The Broadway.com office isn’t just comprised of Benedict Cumberbatch enthusiasts, oh no. Some of its occupants are fans of Cool Rider, perhaps the greatest sequel ever told. We were thus fascinated to learn that a keepsake might soon be produced from the legendary(ish) engagement the stage adaptation of Grease 2 played in London last year. A Kickstarter campaign has been mounted to capture the songs from Cool Rider for a limited edition recording. We go into this weekend singing "Rock-A-Hula-Luau (Summer is Coming)." (Summer can't arrive soon enough for us—have they arrested that Elsa yet?!)