Citing Illness, Williams Cancels Performances in Florida

Broadway bound comedy star Robin Williams has postponed four performances of his one-man show in Florida.

According to a statement on the actor's website, "Williams was experiencing shortness of breath and is currently being evaluated by doctors who are recommending a week of rest."

The statement says the comedian will reschedule the performances at a later date. Williams, 57, has been touring Weapons of Self Destruction since September 2008 and will be bringing it to Broadway with a stop the Neil Simon Theater - on April 23rd through the 29th and May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2009.

Tickets went on sale Sunday, March 1st, at the Neil Simon Theater box office, and through Ticketmaster or www.robinwilliams.com. The show is presented by James L. Nederlander and Ron Delsener.

"I'm excited to be back on Broadway," said Williams. "It's been a blast working on new material for this tour. The current state of the country's political and economic climate, while so hard on so many people, has been like gold for a comedian. There's just so much that's ripe for the picking."

"Weapons of Self-Destruction" highlights Williams' trademark free associations and riffs on social and political absurdities.

Williams last toured in 2002 when he returned to the stand-up scene after a sixteen year hiatus. The sold-out tour earned the distinction of being one of the highest-grossing comedy tours in history, and culminated in a final performance filmed by HBO and broadcast lives from New York City. The resulting July 2002 HBO broadcast, Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, was nominated for five Emmy® awards.

With four Golden Globe® awards, four Grammy® awards, and an Oscar® to his credit, Williams has become one of the most successful and beloved figures in entertainment history. In addition to his upcoming tour, Williams will soon be seen starring in the Disney comedy Old Dogs opposite John Travolta, and will reprise his role as ‘Teddy Roosevelt' in the sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, co-starring Ben Stiller.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.