Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows Register/Login Games Grosses

"High mercury levels" force Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW — Page 2

New Post Search Report Abuse Rules

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#26

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:49pm

I doubt Schreiber would take a replacement gig like this. He's too at the top of his game for that.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#27

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:53pm

Oh, of course. He's "sick," therefore he must be faking! He's sick of it all! HE'S A POSEUR!

What are we, five? People do get sick. Ask Donna Murphy.

And shut up, David Mamet.
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#28

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:59pm

Yes, people get sick, but...mercury poisoning?? Google it and read up on it. It's a pretty wild, far-fetched diagnosis. That tends to raise suspicions.
Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.
#29

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:03pm

....since it's so wild and far fetched, why would they lie about it, doctor?
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 07:03 PM

#30

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:04pm

It is very serious. I remember when Daphne Zuniga got very ill from mercury from fish she ate. Just because it is rare, does not mean it is not happening. Who knows maybe Raul was slipping the Piv mercury. We all know how Raul likes to be the center of attention.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#32

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:08pm

Did an LOLcat write this headline?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=230591
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#33

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:21pm

Piven is a professional. He's obviously not faking.

Entourage is set to begin filming in a few weeks. If for some reason he wanted to bow out of STP early he would have chosen something that was short-term so he could begin with the show when filming began.
#34

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:27pm

Because it makes for great copy. And it's a classic magicians trick. Create a diversion - everyone is so caught up in googling "mercury poisoning" and so on that they are sidetracked from the possibility that it's just a cover, a scam.

Just so we're clear, I don't have any proof one way or another, but I've been living and working in and around Hollywood for 40+ years and this whole thing just screams to me of a cover-up. I can guess what for, but in deference to the more delicate sensibilities here, I won't speculate.
Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.
#35

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:31pm

I don't know if he's truly ill or not: if he is, I hope he recovers. If not, karma is a b*t*h!

For those sorry to NOT have caught Piven....I didn't think he was incredible. Good, yes. GREAT, not really. You leave the theater thinking about Raul...well, I did...he truly blew me away.

I'd be curious to hear who will be coming in!

Best wishes to the rest of the cast that they can continue with the run!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#37

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:34pm

Like he was realistically going to win anyway. I enjoyed his performance a lot, but Tony-worthy? No way. And honestly, very replaceable.
A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 07:34 PM

#38

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:36pm

I'll be interested to see if his mercury issue clears up in time for ENTOURAGE filming. If he has to be treated for it, it involves a significant hospital stay and an unfortunately painful treatment. If he rests up and is back to normal in a couple of weeks, it ain't the mercury.
And I concur with dramamama - Piven may have been the 'name' in this production, but he wasn't spell-binding in the part. SO go see STP anyway - nothing like a major crisis to make the play even more exciting. I am confident that Esparza and Moss can handle it, especially if they have some fine replacements in as Bobby.
#39

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:50pm

"I talked to Jeremy on the phone and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury," the prolific playwright told Daily Variety. "So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer."

Love that line.
#44

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 8:20pm

Humbugfoto (or anyone), please don't let our delicate sensibilities dissuade you from speculating! Does the word "rehab" come to mind?
#45

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 8:23pm

PIVEN is great in the role. Hope he gets better soon.
PS HE IS REALLY HOT. YUM. Guess no more sushi for him.

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 08:23 PM

#46

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 8:26pm

Yankeefan, as awesome as it would be too see Baldwin in that role, I think he would have been even better in the Barrymore's previous tenant, November.

The phrasing of Mamet's quote makes me think that the role of Bobby might become a revolving door for the next two months plus.

EDIT- Does anyone know if Jordan Lage is still the only understudy for Bobby and Charlie? I only have my playbill from October to go by.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 08:26 PM

#48

re: Piven out of SPEED-THE-PLOW indefinitely?

Posted: 12/17/08 at 8:47pm

What a shame. Again, I think he is the hottest man on the stage except of course for Cheyenne but he is gay.
I believe Piven is straight. Sigh, the man is really handsome and mannish.

It's so hard to find a manly man on Broadway these days.
We do have a few:
Hugh Jackman- MARRIED.
Piven- MARRIED.
Craig Bierko- SIGH.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 08:47 PM

← Back to Message Board

BroadwayWorld TV

View all Videos

Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $95
More Hot Shows Discounts
Recommended For You