Grievance Filed Against Jeremy Piven
Speed-the-Plow producers upset over actor's early departure.
The New York Times reported that the Broadway producers of the David Mamet play, Speed-the-Plow, filed a grievance with the Actors' Equity Association against former star Jeremy Piven. The Emmy Award-winning actor began the previews for the play on October 3 and withdrew in mid-December. The play opened to positive reviews, but lead producer Jeffrey Richards said Piven asked for an early release, citing exhaustion.
Richards was not available for comment. A person who had been briefed on the producer's concerns said they wanted the union to make an independent evaluation of Piven's medical condition. After dropping out of the show, Piven's doctor told him he was suffering from mercury poisoning, the result of eating too much sushi and fish.
It is unclear whether the producers are seeking financial compensation. Maria Somma, a spokeswoman for the Actors' Equity, said a grievance committee must meet and consider the matter within 30 calendar days of a filing.
