Piven-less 'Speed-the-Plow' struggles

Posted December 22, 2008 10:00 pm

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Business tumbled last week for the Broadway revival of "Speed-the-Plow," now without the services of Jeremy Piven who abruptly quit the show after saying he was suffering from mercury poisoning.

The David Mamet comedy grossed $326,559, down nearly $160,000 from the previous week, according to figures released Monday by the Broadway League, the industry's trade organization. The show played to about 50 percent capacity at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Piven was replaced by his understudy, Jordan Lage, for eight performances.

Norbert Leo Butz joins the production Tuesday. Butz is in the show through Jan. 11, after which William H. Macy takes over the part through Feb. 22. Mamet's scathing satire about Hollywood also stars Raul Esparza and Elisabeth Moss.

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