Martin Short Says He's Ready to Fill Nathan Lane's 'Ridiculously Big Shoes' in IT'S ONLY A PLAY

When asked to take over Nathan Lane's role in IT'S ONLY A PLAY, Martin Short originally declined.

The comic actor recently spoke with NY Post about his new Broadway role, as well as his new book, I MUST SAY: MY LIFE AS A HUMBLE COMEDY LEGEND, revealing his reluctance to take on another project alongside his book and the television show MULANEY.

"[Mike Nichols] phoned and said, 'You should do this play -it fits you like a glove,' " said Short, referring to late director and writer whom he also called, "the smartest person in the room."

Short says that Mike Nichols was the driving force behind his final decision to fill Nathan Lane's "ridiculously big shoes," as Short calls them.

"It was like the pope telling me to buy a rosary: 'Yes, sir!' "

A great part of the draw of IT'S ONLY A PLAY is the star power, Short says.

"My sister Nora is coming to see it and I asked what else she wanted to see while she's here. [She said,] 'I don't know, honey. Things with stars!' That's why this is a hit. People just want to see people they love to see."

Broadway's record-breaking, star-studded smash hit comedy It's Only a Play by 4-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, welcomed Martin Short, two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning "30 Rock" alum Maulik Pancholy - in his Broadway debut - to the cast earlier this week! Below, check out full photo coverage of the new cast together onstage!

It's Only a Play will play at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (where it has shattered house records) through January 18, 2015 before transferring to its sibling Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street) starting January 23, 2015.

Mr. McNally-a four-time Tony Award winning playwright-recently celebrated the premiere of his 20th Broadway production, Mothers and Sons, which marks his 50th year on Broadway. Mothers and Sons, which was nominated for Best Play at the 2014 Tony Awards, ended its celebrated Broadway run June 22, 2014 at the Golden Theatre and will be seen in more than twenty countries next year.

The design team for It's Only A Play includes scenic design by Tony winner Scott Pask, costume design by Academy Award and Tony winner Ann Roth, lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, and sound design by Fitz Patton.

Photo credit: Nathan Sternfeld