Eddie Izzard to Replace Spader in RACE on Broadway

The New York Times is reporting that Eddie Izzard will take over for James Spader in RACE beginning on June 21st. This now completes the new cast along with Afton C. Williamson and Dennis Haysbert along with Richard Thomas who will remain with the show.

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard, known for his lightening quick wit and surreal humor, returns to the US after a sold-out European tour. Critics have described Izzard as everything from the "funniest man in pretty much all of the known universe," to "a human search engine," to "a surrealist maestro of historical and scientific trivia, and "a one-man Monty Python crew." Izzard won acclaim in the U.S. with Dress To Kill, his one-man show which debuted on HBO and won two Emmy Awards.

In between tours, he has earned rave reviews for his acting talent seen on television in the hit FX series, "The Riches," on the big screen in Steven Soderbergh's "Oceans 13" and on Broadway, where he starred in the acclaimed revival of "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg." Izzard received a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Play for his performance.

The producers of RACE announced earlier in the week that Afton C. Williamson, who made her Broadway debut in Joe Turner's Come and Gone, will take over the role of "Susan" from Kerry Washington, beginning Tuesday, June 15th. Williamson made a striking impression on the creative team when, as understudy, she replaced Kerry Washington the one night Kerry missed a performance, due to a previous obligation to go to the White House as part of the President's national Arts Council.

She is the second new addition to the summer casting for Race, joining Golden Globe nominee ("24", "The Unit") Dennis Haysbert, who is making his Broadway debut. The third new addition to the marquee will be announced shortly. Richard Thomas continues in his co-starring role in the play which has been called "provocative and profane" (NY1) and "a topical detective story" (New York Times).

Ms. Williamson is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival M.F.A. program, and her theatrical credits, in resident theatres, include I Have Before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young Lady From Rwanda (Vermont Stage Company) Crowns, The Beaux Strategem, Cymbeline, Romeo and Juliet, The Count of Monte Cristo, Dr. Faustus, Death of a Salesman, James and the Giant Peach, Richard III (Alabama Shakespeare Festival) and Lincoln Center Theater's Workshop Production:

As previously announced, original stars David Alan Grier and Kerry Washington will play their final performances on Sunday, June 13th. James Spader will play his final performance on Sunday, June 20th.

Beginning June 21st, RACE's summer schedule is as follows: Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday at 2pm & 8pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm

The recently recouped RACE, currently starring Emmy winner James Spader, 2010 Tony Nominee David Alan Grier, acclaimed actress Kerry Washington, and Emmy winner Richard Thomas, continues to play at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St.). Tickets can be purchased by visiting Telecharge.com or calling 212-239-6200.

RACE is the riveting new play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed-the-Plow, American Buffalo, November), in which three attorneys, two black and one white, are offered a chance to defend a white man charged with a crime against a black woman.

Directed by the playwright, RACE stars Emmy Award winner James Spader (Boston Legal, Sex, Lies, and Videotape), Tony nominee and television star David Alan Grier (A Soldier's Story, In Living Color, Chocolate News), Kerry Washington (Ray, Lakeview Terrace) and Richard Thomas (The Waltons, Democracy, Twelve Angry Men).

RACE began performances on Monday, November 16, 2009 and officially opened on Sunday, December 6, 2009.
RACE features set design by Santo Loquasto, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and costume design by Tom Broecker.

RACE is produced by: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, JAM Theatricals, JK Productions, Peggy Hill & Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz, Scott M. Delman, Terry Allen Kramer/James L. Nederlander, Swinsky Deitch, Bat-Barry Productions, Ronald Frankel, James Fuld Jr., Kathleen K. Johnson, Terry Schnuck, The Weinstein Company, Marc Frankel and Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Stewart Mercer.