Richard Kind Returns to The Producers: A Showbiz Veteran's West End Comeback
Richard Kind, the versatile American actor known for his distinctive voice and memorable character roles, is making a triumphant return to the stage in Mel Brooks' iconic musical The Producers. The 69-year-old performer is taking over the role of Max Bialystock at London's historic Garrick Theatre for a seven-week engagement, marking his latest chapter in a career spanning decades across film, television, and theater.
The Producers Diet and Physical Demands
Kind first played the scheming Broadway producer Max Bialystock on Broadway in 2004 and later at the massive Hollywood Bowl in 2012. The role comes with significant physical demands that Kind describes with characteristic humor. "This role is a workout," he explains. "When I first did it, I lost 30 pounds. I call it The Producers diet. It's better than those shots." The musical features breakneck numbers like "The King of Broadway" with its rapid-fire, vulgar lyrics that require immense vocal stamina and precision.
Kind compares mastering the material to a dramatic possession: "Once you've learned it all, the words pour out of your mouth like pea soup out of Linda Blair." His interpretation of Max leans toward the bulldozer energy of Zero Mostel, who originated the film role in 1967, rather than the more elegant approach of Nathan Lane, who first played it on Broadway. "Nathan glides," Kind observes. "I'm a big bear. I lumber."
A Career Philosophy: From Parsley to Center Stage
Despite his current leading role, Kind has built his career on memorable supporting parts in projects ranging from Pixar's Inside Out to the Coen brothers' A Serious Man and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. He describes his screen persona with culinary metaphor: "I'm parsley on a plate of meat and potatoes. Really good parsley. As green and fresh as parsley can get."
This philosophy extends to his understanding of his place in the entertainment industry. "People may say, 'Oh, I like that guy. Everything he does is good,'" he notes. "Nobody says, 'I'm going to spend twenty pounds to go see Richard Kind in a movie.' If you accept that, you can be happy and satisfied." However, theater represents a different challenge for the actor. "I'm at the point where I can say 'no' to a stage role unless it's challenging," he reveals.
Chicago Roots and Famous Friendships
Kind began his career with Chicago's legendary Second City improvisational troupe before moving to television work with comedy titan Carol Burnett and roles in sitcoms including Spin City alongside Michael J. Fox. One notable early collaboration was with George Clooney on a failed comedy pilot, which led to the two becoming roommates and lifelong friends.
When asked about Clooney facing public criticism from political figures, Kind becomes protective. "Horrible," he sighs. "I'm very protective of George always. I don't even like critics to talk about him badly." This protective instinct extends to his own career philosophy, where he focuses on delivering performances that are, as a friend once told him, "visible from space" alongside the Great Wall of China.
Future Aspirations and Current Production
Looking ahead, Kind expresses interest in tackling the role of Roy Cohn, Donald Trump's controversial mentor, in Angels in America. When asked about roles he couldn't play, he responds with characteristic self-awareness: "I'd make a terrible Blanche DuBois."
Richard Kind's return to The Producers represents both a homecoming and a new challenge for the veteran actor. His performance as Max Bialystock runs at the Garrick Theatre from March 23 through May 9, after which Andy Nyman returns to the role. The production continues to showcase Mel Brooks' enduring satire of show business, Nazi Germany, and human greed, with Kind bringing his unique energy to one of musical theater's most iconic characters.
