Richard Kind to Star as B'way's Max Bialystock Earlier Than Expected

Richard Kind, originally announced for a January 11 start in The Producers, will begin performances as Max Bialystock earlier than expected. His start date is now scheduled for December 21, according to a production spokesperson.

Kind recently appeared on the Great White Way in Sly Fox. Kind made his Broadway debut in 2002 when he joined the cast of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. His other theatrical credits include Bounce, The Big Knife, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Once Upon A Lifetime, Power Failure, The Seagull, Perfect, Accomplice, Things You Can't Say Past Midnight and True Midwest. The actor is probably best known for his work on TV's Spin City. He was also a series regular on Mad About You and Carol Burnett & Company.

As we previously reported, current Producers star Brad Oscar is heading to the West End production. He will play his final Broadway performance on December 12. Understudy John Treacy Egan will then play the role for a week before Kind arrives.

Alan Ruck, Kind's former Spin City co-star, will begin performances as Leo Bloom on January 11 as scheduled. Hunter Foster will continue to play Bloom on Broadway until January 9.