It's a circus outside.

So, today I feel like i'm at a red-carpet event. No, i'm not really at one, but there is so many photographers outside my work today. The reason being is that the one and only Piv is in my building today. That's right folks...Jeremy Piven. Unfortunately he's not at my office, then i could hiss at him. (I just don't like him, he seems awfully arrogant all the time. Probably why he is so good in entourage. Kudos to their casting directors!) No, he's at Actors' Equity today pleaing his case to the grievance committe for his antics on Speed-The-Plow. If you need background on the story, basically Piven left the show abruptly due to mercury posioning from all the sushi he was eating. If you want more insight read Michael Riedel's article in the NY Post here: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02252009/news/regionalnews/pivens_poisonal_plea_156806.htm

Anyways, i find Piven's actions to be very distateful. Who just walks up and leaves a show and then has their publicist...yes...not their agent, or themselves...their publicist call in and say they are not going to ever return. It is highly unprofessional as an actor to do. Riedel does touch on how to handle the seriously ill issue in his article. Plus, Piven took a job on Broadway that many actors would die for, and would be capable of playing, and then poopoo'ed on it.
I feel a little bit for Piven because supposedly mercury poisoning is terrible. It makes you feel terrible and would probably take you out of a show for a while. But days after leaving the show he appeared at one of the award shows. How sick could he really be?

I also find it ridiculous that he is even having to appear before equity. What are they, the producers of Speed the Plow, trying to do? The show has already recouped their investment. So even with Piven leaving the show, they still made a profit. Their is no way to tell how much extra money they would have made with Piven in the show, so what are they trying to get out of him. Plus, they got William H. Macy to replace him. He's a better, more respected actor, that is still famous enough to bring in an audience...so what are they complaining about? And their is talk that Piven could get banned from Actors' Equity (the theatrical actors' union) for the stunt he pulled. I find this absurd. Just let him live. The chances a big time producer will cast him again are very slim for years. This does not warrant a ban from the union. If you want to see what warrants a ban, type in Randy Quaid Actors Equity into google. Piven should not be banned.

Anyways, we will find out soon how it all plays out and maybe I'll end up in one of the pictures from the photogs outside!!!

The Dennehy Splash

So, as I've said before, funny things happen all the time in theater behind the scenes that not many people know about. I'll write about one of my recent auditions shortly. And i'll try to get my classmate Tonya to write about what she saw happen to Cherry Jones in Doubt a few years ago. It's a great story.
Anyways, I just read on playbill.com today that the amazing actor Brian Dennehy took a mighty big spill on stage the other night. Pretty scary thing to see, I'm sure. However his brilliant recovery made it somewhat humorous in the best possible way. Dennehy is currently starring in the Goodman Theatre's production of Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms in Chicago. I hope this show transfers to New York, because it has received amazing, amazing reviews. And i've never seen an O'Neill play yet.
Anyways, during a scene where Dennehy's character is praising God for his newborn son, he fell off a raised platform, tumbling to the lower stage below him, all while holding the "infant". About the fall Dennehy said, "It was a stupid mistake. I was trying to play beyond my own means and lost my balance." I remember thinking Dennehy was an old man 15 or so years ago when he was in Tommy Boy (He wasn't that old, but in my young teen's point of view, he was), so despite aging gracefully, he obviously hasn't gotten younger over time. So the fall was a big deal. However, Dennehy handled it with grace and all the class of an actor. He supposedly turned to the audience and said, "The baby is not injured!" Brilliant, brilliant brilliant. And then continued the play with out a pause. And performed the subsequent nights as well. He is 70 years old!!!! I can't even imagine.
Dennehy continuing the play, no matter how much pain he was in, shows the true class of an artist that loves, loves, loves his work. I know many actors who get a cold, or a small injury that complain about going on, or don't go in to rehearsal or something. I think that is crap. There is only two ways i'd ever miss a performance/rehearsal. If i was throwing up and would risk getting everyone else the flu, and if i have a migraine...and even with a migraine and flu i'd try to push myself through. How could you not. How could someone not do what they are being paid to do. How could someone let people down that are paying to be entertained by them. It makes me furious when i see that happen. And for an older gent, I give Dennehy all the respect in the world as a classy actor!