Jeremy Piven Speaks Out Regarding Speed-the-Plow Departure

The Actor’s Equity Association and Broadway League ruled at a closed hearing on February 26 that Jeremy Piven, who unexpectedly withdrew from the revival of David Mamet’s star-studded Speed-the-Plow revival December 16, did not violate his contractual obligations during the high-profile departure and therefore would not be penalized. Piven exited the production mid-run, citing exhaustion and symptoms attributed to mercury poisoning.

Led by a committee of five actors from Actors’ Equity and five members of the Broadway League, who represent the interest of the show’s producers, the ruling ended up being a split decision, with Equity members siding with Piven and League members ruling against him. Because of the stalemate, no action was taken against the actor. Equity officials later commented that penalties against individuals are examined on a case-by-case basis, and that financial penalties would not necessarily have been applied even if the ruling had been against Piven.

Producers of the show announced they will pursue their right to proceed with more intense arbitration against Piven.

According to The New York Times, Piven addressed the health scare in a private interview at the Times office following the ruling, breaking down in tears and citing the Obama administration’s recent warning about the threats of mercury poisoning. Piven also commented on the widespread speculation about the legitimacy of his illness and exit from the show, explaining that symptoms left him disoriented during some performances of the play and left him fearing for his life.

“At times I was incapable of getting enough oxygen to get my lines out on stage, and sometimes I’d forget where I was in the play,” Piven told the Times. “This misconception that I was out partying was wrong. My problem was that as soon as I woke up, I wanted to figure out a way to get back into bed.”

The Emmy Award winner also ultimately felt that his reputation would weather attacks from the show’s producers. “I’ve never missed a day’s work or rehearsal in my life,” he said. “I think there’s a reason you’ve never heard of any problem like this before.”

Piven’s illness was attributed to a diet that included eating fish two times a day. “The biggest misconception was that this all came out of the blue in December and that I came down with this ‘sushi-gate’ stuff,” Piven was quoted as saying. “It’s not sushi, it’s from eating fish for 20 years and not understanding the mercury threat.”

The actor, who received positive reviews for his performance as the show’s ethically and artistically torn film producer Bobby Gould, expressed a desire to return to Broadway, the “holy grail for any actor,” someday in the future.

Speed-the-Plow, co-starring Raul Esparza and Elisabeth Moss, ended its limited engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on January 13 with Academy Award nominee William H. Macy in the role of Bobby Gould. Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz also stepped into the part for a two week stint prior to Macy’s joining the cast.