Odds & Ends: Cynthia Erivo & Mel Brooks Honor Gene Wilder, Hamilton's Javier Munoz Drops Knowledge & More

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

Cynthia Erivo Defies Explanation
Wanna change the world? There's nothing to it for The Color Purple Tony winner and certified runner Cynthia Erivo. She posted a touching tribute to Gene Wilder, who passed away on August 29 at the age of 83. Her take on "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is beautiful, and it's here. Watch below!
 

 

"Anything you want to, do it! Wanna change the world? There's nothing to it" R.I.P Gene Wilder #simplevocals #nofilter Ps @deanjohnwilson promise kept!! Xx

A video posted by cynthiaerivo (@cynthiaerivo) on Aug 31, 2016 at 8:41am PDT

Tony Winner Mel Brooks Reflects on Gene Wilder
The Producers mastermind Mel Brooks appeared on The Tonight Show on August 30, and of course, he discussed his Young Frankenstein partner and Producers film star Gene Wilder. "He was sick, and I knew it. And he was such a dear friend," Brooks told Jimmy Fallon. "I expected it. But I'm still reeling from that no more Gene...He was such a wonderful part of my life." Want to hear the story of how these two comedy kings met? Check out the interview below!



Michael Shannon & Taylor Kitsch to Star in Waco
Last seen on Broadway in Long Day's Journey Into Night, 2016 Tony nominee Michael Shannon is heading to the small screen alongside The Normal Heart star Taylor Kitsch. The television series focusing on the 1993 siege in Waco, Texas is currently being developed by the Weinstein Company, according to Deadline. Shannon will portray the role of FBI heavy-hitter Gary Noesner to Kitsch's David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians, a religious group that was holed up in a compound for several months. (Glad to see Shannon is taking on additional "happy-go-lucky" projects.)

Daphne Rubin-Vega, Ayad Akhtar & More to Judge Obies
Award season already?! Nah, we just happen to know who will be judging the 62nd annual Obie Awards. The American Theatre Wing and The Village Voice have announced that longtime Obie Judges Chair Michael Feingold will be joined by Obie-winning actress Daphne Rubin-Vega, Obie and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, Entertainment Weekly theater critic Melissa Rose Bernardo, Obie-winning actress J. Smith Cameron, Obie-winning actor-singer Darius de Haas and Village Voice theater critic Miriam Felton-Dansky to form the 2016-2017 judges panel. (Question: can Daphne wear her leopard print coat from Rent? Nothing says "official" like a leopard print coat.)

Javier Muñoz Speaks at NYU Welcome Week
School is back in session, and some very lucky New York University students were able to get some tips from Alexander Hamilton himself. Hamilton frontman (and NYU alum) Javier Muñoz took the podium for the university's Presidential Welcome. "There's dollar pizza everywhere," he said. This Founding Father is definitely speaking college students' language. Take a look at the fun video below!