Knight will replace Maulik Pancholy in the role created on Broadway by Rupert Grint.
Knight and Lane will continue with the production, produced by Tom Kirdahy, Roy Furman and Ken Davenport, through its scheduled closing date of June 7.
Knight was seen on Broadway opposite Sir Patrick Stewart in A Life in the Theatre. He also starred as Leo Frank in the musical Parade at CTG/Mark Taper Forum, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford; the film "42," a Jackie Robinson biopic, starring Harrison Ford and directed by Brian Helgeland; and the television comedy "Charlie Lawrence" for CBS, opposite Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf.
The star-studded production of Terrence McNally's backstage comedy transferred to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Jan. 23. The play welcomed Tony winner Martin Short, two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran (Noises Off; Promises, Promises) and "30 Rock" alum Maulik Pancholy (in his Broadway debut) in the roles of James Wicker, Julia Budder and Frank Finger, respectively. Original cast members F. Murray Abraham, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing and Micah Stock have remained with the show after its transfer. Broderick is scheduled to be out March 14-21.
It's Only a Play officially opened Oct. 9, following previews that began Aug. 28. Click here to read the critics' reviews. The production is helmed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien.
The play currently stars Pancholy as young director Frank Finger, Abraham as critic Ira Drew, Broderick as playwright Peter Austin, Channing as actress Virginia Noyes, Short as television star James Wicker, Finneran as producer Julia Budder and Stock as the wide-eyed Gus P. Head.
Click here to read whether or not the starry cast of It's Only a Play read their own reviews.
In It's Only a Play, according to producers Tom Kirdahy, Roy Furman and Ken Davenport, "it's opening night of Peter Austin's (Broderick) 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, and a wide-eyed coat check attendant on his first night in Manhattan. It’s alternately raucous, ridiculous and tender — reminding audiences why there’s no business like show business. Thank God!"
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