PIVEN BLAMES ‘HIGH MERCURY COUNT’ FOR AXED SHOWS
JEREMY PIVEN has blamed a "high mercury count" for the mystery illness that prompted him to abandon all upcoming performances for Broadway play SPEED-THE-PLOW.
Piven abruptly ended his run in the show - which marked his debut on Broadway - after doctors ordered him to "immediately" make his exit, which meant skipping performances on Tuesday (16Dec08) and Wednesday (17Dec08), according to his spokesperson.
The show began its run on 23 October (08) and Piven was scheduled to perform the until its close on 22 February (09).
Playwright David Mamet has yet to name a permanent replacement for the actor.
He adds, "I talked to Jeremy on the phone, and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury. So my understanding is that he is leaving showbusiness to pursue a career as a thermometer.
"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." A source tells the New York Post that the star - who earns a reported $15,000 (£9,760) a week performing in the show - has recently complained of "exhaustion" and "being tired".
The play’s investors are reportedly discussing calling in their own doctor to get a second opinion after the box office handed out an estimated $20,000 (£13,005) worth of refunds prompted by Piven’s absence. (JMA/PYN/ZN) * WAR OF WORDS AT BRANCATO TRIAL SOPRANOS actor LILLO BRANCATO JR’s murder trial erupted into chaos on Wednesday (17Dec08) when the family of the cop he allegedly killed accused him of smirking.
Officer Daniel Enchautegui’s sister Yolanda Ross hit out at Brancato Jr’s response when the jury returned from their deliberation to ask for information about the two lesser charges the actor is facing, burglary and attempted burglary.
Claiming the 32-year-old appeared elated, Ross said, "You have no idea how much I’m sick of seeing that guy. I can’t take this anymore. He’s smiling and laughing." Police union head Patrick Lynch also targeted Brancato Jr’s lawyer Joseph Tacopina, accusing him of laughing.
He said, "To sit there and have a professional attorney laughing as if this was a joke in front of a dead man’s family is the most insulting thing that ever happened in front of a bench in this state." The jury is currently considering the charges against Brancato Jr, whose friend Steven Armento shot officer Enchautegui dead on the evening of 10 December 2005, as he disturbed them allegedly robbing a house in the Bronx, New York.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
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