Drama

Piven Drops Out of Play

Ends Speed-the-Plow run citing doctors’ orders.

Jeremey Piven dropped out of David Mamet’s Broadway play Speed-the-Plow on Wednesday, saying he was advised by his doctors to “end his run immediately” due to high levels of mercury in his system that were causing him to feel sick and required a brief hospitalization. On Thursday, producers announced his key role will be filled first by Norbert Leo Butz and then by William H. Macy. Piven, a big fan of sushi, had complained of fatigue and exhaustion from the start of the production, his doctor told The New York Times. Producer Jeffrey Richards, though, seemed miff, telling the Times that Piven tried to get out of the contract earlier and even tried to find his own replacement. “It was rather unusual,” he said. “He was trying to be quote-unquote helpful.”