Who replaced Jeremy Pivens in the Broadway production of Speed-the-Plow after Pivens became ill?”
Jeremy Piven, Broadway producers resume battle this week Jun 10, 2009, 05:57 AM | by Tanner Stransky Categories: Current Affairs, News, Stage According to The New York Post, the ongoing arbitration between Jeremy Piven — who left a production of Speed-the-Plow last winter after citing mercury poisoning from too much sushi — and the show’s producers is reaching its final stage in New York City this week. Producers want Piven to pay after the show suffered a dive in ticket sales following his abrupt departure. (His role was eventually filled by William H. Macy, whose presence eventually stabilized ticket sales.) The notorious fracas was originally brought to the Actors’ Equity union in February, but officials couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict, which kicked it to these further, more in-depth hearings. The arbiter has 30 days to reach a decision.
Raúl Esparza, a lead actor nominee from the revival of David Mamet’s “Speed-the-Plow,” had not one but three actors to play against in the role of Bobby Gould. Jeremy Piven left the part unexpectedly early (citing mercury poisoning from eating too much sushi according to http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-jeffrey-richards7-2009jun07,0,43820.story ) and was replaced first by Norbert Leo Butz and then by William H. Macy. (Their co-star, Elisabeth Moss, had similar work to do rehearsing and re-rehearsing her one long scene with the actors playing Gould.) “At first I was really worried when Piven took off, because he understood the rhythms so perfectly,” Mr. Esparza said, explaining that he thought the show was done for — though he used more colorful language to say it. “Norbert Leo Butz came in first, and he and I developed a frat-party-central thin
