Tony Roberts Takes Ill During ROYAL FAMILY Matinee; Performance Cancelled

[Rob]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:27pm

Click Here to Read Tony Roberts Takes Ill During ROYAL FAMILY Matinee; Performance Cancelled

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:29pm

I hope he's okay. It must have been very serious if they had to cancel the rest of the performance. Unless he doesn't have an understudy or the understudy was not yet ready to go on (costumes not being done or what not)

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:47pm

Updated info says that he began slurring his words, they brought the curtain down and asked if there was a doctor in the house, and that he was taken away in an ambulance.

[kooky]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:48pm

So VERY sorry to hear about this ..... all the very best to you Tony.......

[Rob]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:48pm

We've updated the story with a few more details... I've always liked him and he's been wonderful both professionally and personally over the years since I started BWW, so here's hoping for the best....

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 4:00pm

This was on the off-topic board as well, and I hope he is well and it is nothing more than a bug going around. I know a few people who have been sick in the past week.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 4:05pm

This sounds more serious than a bug, but I sure hope it isn't.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 4:49pm

My thoughts are with him and his family! Hopefully he'll make a speedy recovery and be back to normal for Tuesday.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 4:54pm

On the off-topic board, people are speculating that because of slurred speech, it sounds like a stroke.

Please keep in mind again that this is just speculation, as I do not want to spread any rumors. I wish him a speedy recovery.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 4:57pm

Oh no. I hope he's alright. My thoughts are with him...here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:00pm

Like everyone else, I hope he's doing ok. Prayers are with him from my end.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:01pm

a stroke was definitely my first thought , but I, too, am hoping for a speedy recovery.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:03pm

Slurring words is NOT a good sign. Hoping for the best for all involved.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:11pm

Stroke was what came to me as soon as I heard about the slurring of words as well

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:13pm

My thoughts and prayers are with Tony Roberts and his family.


Can you imagine being his castmate and now having to go put on a farce tonight? Tough.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:13pm

My thoughts and prayers are with Tony Roberts and his family.


Can you imagine being his castmate and now having to go put on a farce tonight? Tough.

[nyubroadwayboy]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:13pm

When the call was made if there was a doctor in the house, a woman said she was a physical therapist and it appeared that he had had a stroke and needed to be taken to the hospital. There was also a call for a neurologist.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:20pm

Perhaps we should take this moment to realize that the acting world may have lost a great talent. If it is a stroke it's no laughing matter and the odds of him losing motor skills are very good.

Let's discuss what a great talent and person he is. I've always enjoyed watching the clip of him singing "Step to the Rear" on one of the Broadway's Lost Treasures" dvds. I'd have liked to have seen him perform that number live.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:24pm

Sad story, but I really disagree with the wording of the BWW article. Makes him sound dead.

"BroadwayWorld.com has just received the sad word that Tony Roberts, aged 69, 'took ill' on stage during today's matinee of The Royal Family, resulting in the curtain coming down and the cancellation of the rest of the performance. An ambulance was called and Roberts has brought to the hospital, with no further word on his condition at this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roberts, his family and to those involved with the production."

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:36pm

The Times article says

Jeff Jacomowitz, a spokesman for St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where Mr. Roberts was taken, said the actor was in stable condition but that it was not known when he would be released.

Maybe it wasn't a stroke. I hope not.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/royal-family-matinee-canceled-on-sunday-during-first-act/?hp

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:37pm

I really hope he is okay. My thoughts are with him.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:38pm

Eris , it truly depends on the severity of the stroke. Some people bounce back after some rehab, others it can take years.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:40pm

Yes, I know that. But even if it's a minor stroke it could be quite some time before we see him on the stage again.

I just thought it would be nice to talk about how talented he is. Keep the thread happy.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 5:51pm

I understand that there is a drug which, if given in time, can considerably reduce or avoid the after effects of a stroke.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 6:07pm

The severity and long term effects are also affected by where the bleed happened. My grandmother has had several minor CVAs that only barely affected her speech.

Updated On: 10/4/09 at 06:07 PM