Michael McKean to play 'Pajama Game'

NEW YORK, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Michael McKean has signed on to co-star in the Broadway revival of "The Pajama Game."

He will play the principal role of Hines, producers of the show said in a statement Thursday.

Best-known as Lenny on the 1970s sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," McKean also

co-wrote, composed music for and starred in Rob Reiner's rock comedy feature film "This Is Spinal Tap." He also co-starred in and co-wrote an Academy Award-nominated song for "A Mighty Wind."

He made his Broadway musical comedy debut in the hit show "Hairspray" and starred in Woody Allen's new play, "A Second Hand Memory," at the Atlantic Theatre in New York City.

In addition to lending his voice to a character on the hit IFC animated show, "Hopeless Pictures," he has amassed credits in more than 80 projects, including films like "The Producers," "Relative Strangers," "The Aristocrats," "Auto Focus," "Little Nicky," "Beautiful", Clint Eastwood's "True Crime," "Teaching Mrs. Tingle," "Mystery, Alaska" and "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself."

Set to begin preview performances Jan. 19, 2006, the Roundabout Theatre Company production of "Pajama Game" is expected to star Harry Connick Jr., Kelli O'Hara, Peter Benson, Joyce Chittick, Megan Lawrence, Michael McCormick, Richard Poe and Roz Ryan.