JEREMY PIVEN - THEATRE UNION COMMITTEE FAIL TO REACH DECISION IN PIVEN CASE

THEATRE UNION COMMITTEE FAIL TO REACH DECISION IN PIVEN CASE

A union grievance committee investigating JEREMY PIVEN's sudden departure from Broadway play SPEED-THE-PLOW has gone into arbitration after failing to reach a decision in the case.
Piven's New York stage debut was cut short after the actor fell ill late last year (08), forcing him to bow out of the David Mamet play. He claimed high levels of mercury in his bloodstream, brought on by eating copious amounts of sushi, was the cause of his departure.
Broadway bosses filed a complaint with Actors' Equity Association, the union which represents theatre actors, and a hearing was held on Thursday (26Feb09).
Producers argue his abrupt departure in December from the $3.5 million (£2.4 million) production jeopardised show earnings.
But the committee, comprised of five actors and five producers, is split on the decision and now an independent referee will be brought in to help settle the dispute.