Odds & Ends: NPH & James Corden on the Magic of Puberty, HBO's All the Way Begins Filming & More

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

NPH & James Corden Talk Balls (Balls Balls Balls!)
The Late Late Show: where anything—two Tony winners discussing the details of puberty included—can happen. Former Hedwig star Neil Patrick Harris stopped by the talk show to reveal what a harrowing personal experience it is for him to rewatch Doogie Howser, M.D. “I sound like I was in The Wizard of Oz or something,” he says of his voice as a kid. Then they discussed certain body parts dropping. You know, as Tony winners are wont to do. You can catch the all-grown-up Harris in his NBC variety show Best Time Ever beginning September 15.


More Stars Go All the Way
The HBO film adaptation of Robert Schenkkan’s Tony-winning All the Way has officially begun filming. In addition to the previously announced Bryan Cranston (who reprises his Tony-winning performance as Lyndon B. Johnson) and Frank Langella, Melissa Leo, Bradley Whitford and Anthony Mackie are Broadway alums Stephen Root and Todd Weeks as J. Edgar Hoover and Walter Jenkins, respectively. Also on board are Marque Richardson as Bob Moses, Aisha Hinds as Fanny Lou Hamer, Mo McRae as Stokely Carmichael and Spencer Garrett as Walter Reuther. No premiere date is set for the movie, which is directed by Jay Roach.

Marquees Will Dim for "Biff" Liff
Broadway marquees will dim their lights in memory of legendary agent and producer Samuel “Biff” Liff. Theaters will go dark for one minute on August 14 at 7:45 PM. Liff died at the age of 96 on August 11. His many notable clients while an agent at William Morris included Chita Rivera, Angela Lansbury and Ellen Burstyn. In 2006, he was awarded with a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre.

U.K. Faves Set for Epic Marathon
Over 60 U.K. stage and screen favorites will bring The Iliad to life in a marathon reading of Homer’s Greek epic. The event will take place on August 14, beginning at the British Museum and ending at the Almeida Theatre. Among those taking part are Olivier winners and Tony nominees Bertie Carvel and Jenna Russell, as well as Kate Fleetwood and upcoming The Crucible star Ben Whishaw. Though it’ll take a good amount of persistence, you can catch the whole event live on the Almeida’s live stream beginning at 9 AM GMT.

LaBute & More Get MCC Readings
MCC Theater will present readings of new works by their Playwright in Residence Neil LaBute, Youth Company alum Ren Dara Santiago and rising playwright Stephen Brown. LaBute’s play, How to Fight Loneliness will take the Lucille Lortel stage on September 28, while Santiago’s The Siblings Play and Brown’s Welcome Home are set for September 21 and October 5, respectively. Casting will be announced at a later date. Jo Bonney, whose play Lost Girls received a reading last year and will return for a full production in the upcoming season, will direct How to Fight Loneliness.