Tony Winner Martin Short May Replace Nathan Lane in Star-Studded It’s Only a Play on Broadway

It looks like Tony winner Martin Short may replace Nathan Lane as James Wicker in an extended run of the star-studded It’s Only a Play. Lane is set to star in BAM’s The Iceman Cometh in February; the remaining cast—Matthew Broderick, Megan Mullally, F. Murray Abrahm, Stockard Channing, Rupert Grint and Micah Stock—are reportedly in negotiations to stay put. The Terrence McNally comedy was originally scheduled to play through January 4, 2015 at the Schoenfeld Theatre. A production spokesperson told us: "Everyone wants the production to continue, but we can't confirm anything at present."

With the extension, the Helen Mirren-led The Audience would have to find a new home worthy of a Queen's presence for its spring Broadway bow. The London transfer was scheduled to begin at the Schoenfeld on February 17, 2015.

Short took home a Tony Award for his performance in Little Me. He was nominated for The Goodbye Girl as well and also headlined Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. He shares an Emmy with John Candy, Andrea Martin and more for their writing on SCTV. His additional screen credits include Father of the Bride, Mars Attacks!, Three Amigos, Innerspace, Saturday Night Live and Primetime Glick.

It's Only a Play, directed by Jack O’Brien, is set on the opening night of Broderick's character Peter Austin's new play as he anxiously awaits to see if his show is a hit. With his career on the line, he shares his big first night with his best friend, a television star (Lane), his fledgling producer (Mullally), his erratic leading lady (Channing), his wunderkind director (Grint), an infamous drama critic (Abraham), and a wide-eyed coat check attendant (Stock) on his first night in Manhattan.