Richard Kind, known for roles in Only Murders in the Building and Broadway's All In: Comedy About Love, will temporarily join the West End revival of Mel Brooks' The Producers as Max Bialystock. He replaces Andy Nyman, who is taking a seven-week break to perform in his own show, The Psychic.
Kind begins his engagement on March 23 at London's Garrick Theatre, with Nyman returning on May 11. Nyman co-wrote The Psychic with Jeremy Dyson; it plays at the York Theatre Royal. Kind previously played Max Bialystock on Broadway in 2004 and at the Hollywood Bowl in 2012.
“Mel Brooks is a genius,” Kind said in a statement. “Every time I come back to The Producers, I’m reminded what a comic masterpiece it is – the jokes, the infectious energy of the story, the sheer audacity of it all – it still feels as fresh as ever. I’m so thrilled to be returning to the iconic role of Max Bialystock; this is a hat trick for me—they just can’t keep me away!”
Brooks added: “When I learned we needed an actor to briefly fill Andy’s nearly unfillable shoes, only one name came to mind. Richard Kind is a true force of nature – he’s got enough talent and energy to fill two stages! I am beyond thrilled for audiences at The Garrick to experience his Max Bialystock.”
Kind's London stage credits include Guys and Dolls at the Phoenix Theatre. His screen credits include Mad About You, Spin City, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Watcher and Argo. The current West End cast also features Marc Antolin as Leo Bloom, with Trevor Ashley, Raj Ghatak, Harry Morrison and Joanna Woodward. Patrick Marber directs with choreography by Lorin Latarro.
