Piven Exits SPEED-THE-PLOW, Mamet Comments on Illness
By: Eddie Varley Dec. 17, 2008
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Variety is reporting that Jeremy Piven will abruptly end his run in Broadway's "Speed-the-Plow," after missing Tuesday evening's performance and a Wednesday matinee. Sources revealed to Variety that Piven has informed the producers that he hasn't been feeling well and that the condition is attributable to a high mercury count.
Daily Variety reached out to David Mamet, who wrote the showbiz satire and seemed less than convinced by Piven's departure. Mamet commented, "I talked to Jeremy on the phone and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury," Mamet said. "So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer."
Mamet indicated to Variety that despite Piven's exit, the show will go on. "The good news is that some really great actors will be helping out and stepping in, which to me is a sign of great heroism and friendship," said Mamet, who declined to name the replacement.
A spokeswoman for the actor said he wanted to continue in the role, but that doctors advised him he should end his run immediately.
Piven's spokeswoman to Variety that "the diagnosis came from a team of doctors headed by Dr. Carlon Colker, an internist and attending physician at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York and Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut, and also CEO and medical director of Peak Wellness".
Earlier today TMZ is reported that three-time Emmy Award winner Jeremy Piven was out sick and "may" be "out" of the production for good.
Jeremy Piven claimed he'd been way too sick to show up for his Broadway show -- and the illness is so bad, it could be curtain curtains for his stay in the show. Piven missed last night's performance, today's matinee, and will also be missing tonight's performance of "Speed-the-Plow."
Piven was scheduled to perform throughout the show's run, which is scheduled to run until Feb. 22nd.
No further details about the illness were available. A rep for the show confirmed that Piven had missed the recent performance but gave no other comment.
The cast of Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet includes Emmy and Golden Globe Award winnerJeremy Piven ("Entourage", Fat Pig), three-time Tony-nominee Raúl Esparza (The Homecoming, Company) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men). Neil Pepe (David Mamet's Romance, Ethan Coen's Almost an Evening) directs.
The show is playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (located at 243 West 47th St.). Tickets are sold through Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200.
Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
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