RIALTO CHATTER: Piven's Passionate Plea Proves Persuasive

Actors' Equity Association could not reach a ruling today in the hearing involving Jeremy Piven, so now both sides will be headed to arbitration.

The New York Times gives a detailed account of the proceedings, explaining that Piven convinced a group of fellow actors that he did not violate his contractual obligations when he dropped out of the Broadway play "Speed-the-Plow" in December.

His passionate plea in the closed door meeting helped him avoid potential penalties for his high-profile departure, which he attributed to mercury poisoning.

The two sides released an official statment on the matter, "A grievance hearing was held today in accordance with the Equity-League Production Contract regarding the matter of Jeremy Piven and Speed-the-Plow. Following the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, a panel of five League representatives and five Equity representatives met and heard the positions of the parties. The League and Equity representatives were unable to reach a unanimous decision. The Producers have the right, as a next step, to proceed to arbitration."

To read Piven's official statement on the hearing click here.

Piven appeared in person before the grievance committee of Actors' Equity to defend his claim that high levels of mercury in his bloodstream, brought on by a passion for sushi, forced him to abandon the Broadway revival of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow."

During a post hearing interview with The  New York Times, "he cried as he described the stress of fearing for his health while pushing himself to continue with the play. "I've never missed a day's work or a rehearsal in my life," Mr. Piven said".

To read the entire NYT article click here.

The hearing was held at Equity headquarters on West 46th Street.

Piven appeared before a committee of five actors and five producers. He entered the Equity building without giving comment at 11:30am this morning.

Last month, Piven agreed to a blood test administered by a doctor hired by the producers of "Speed-the-Plow." The results of that test have not been revealed, but the producers are expected to allege that long before he claimed to be ill, Piven was agitating to leave the show.

Piven informed the producers he was sick, then jumped on a plane to Los Angeles and announced he was not returning to the show. "There was no discussion, no negotiation - he was just gone," said a source to the New York Post.

In a Dec. 18 statement the play's producers gave a statement regarding the Piven exit, "We have been advised by Jeremy Piven's medical representatives that he is seriously ill and is unable to fulfill his contractual obligation to Speed-the-Plow. Consequently, he has left the production ten weeks early."

Piven was scheduled to perform throughout the show's run, which end this past Sunday, Feb. 22nd. The was a financial success, earning back its original investment for the producers

A Piven spokeswoman has previously called the grievance "absurd and outrageous."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.