Izzard, who also appeared in the London production of Mamet's The Cryptogram, will succeed James Spader in the role of attorney Jack Lawson in Mamet's latest Broadway drama, which the playwright also directed. Spader will depart the production June 20. Izzard's start date has not been revealed.
Izzard will join Dennis Haysbert and Afton C. Williamson, who replace original Broadway cast members David Alan Grier and Kerry Washington, respectively, on June 15. Both Grier and Washington will play their final performances June 13, the date of the 2010 Tony Awards. Grier received a Best Actor nomination for his performance.
As previously reported, Richard Thomas will be the only original cast member to remain with the production. Race continues through Aug. 21.
Izzard made his Broadway debut in 2003 as Bri in Peter Nichols' Joe Egg. He earned an Olivier Award nomination for Eddie Izzard: Live at the Ambassadors. His stand-up evenings include Unrepeatable, Definite Article, Glorious, Dressed to Kill and Circle.
According to producers, Race concerns "three attorneys, two black and one white, [who] are offered a chance to defend a white man charged with a crime against a black woman." Mamet elaborated on the plot in an interview with the New York Times. "In my play a firm made up of three lawyers, two black and one white, is offered the chance to defend a white man charged with a crime against a black young woman. It is a play about lies. All drama is about lies. When the lie is exposed, the play is over."
The design team for Race includes Santo Loquasto (sets), Brian Macdevitt (lighting) and Tom Broecker (costumes).
Race is produced by on Broadway 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, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Stewart Mercer and Marc Frankel.
Mamet's plays also include Glengarry Glen Ross (1984 Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award, 2005 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play), American Buffalo, Boston Marriage, November, Speed-the-Plow and The Cryptogram. He has penned the screenplays for such films as "The Verdict," "The Untouchables," "Wag the Dog" and his own adaptation of "Oleanna." He has twice been nominated for an Academy Award. He has written and directed ten films including "Homicide," "The Spanish Prisoner," "State and Main," "House of Games," "Spartan" and "Redbelt." His tense 1992 drama Oleanna made its Broadway debut last fall.
The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is located at 243 West 47th Street. For more information, visit RaceOnBroadway.com.
Tickets are available by visiting Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
