Aug 27
THR Esq. reports today that Jeremy Piven’s mercury poisoning excuse for leaving the Broadway production of “Speed The Plow” last season is sufficient, and he’ll not be liable to the producers for breach of contract, or other claims. Here’s the story:
Arbitrator accepts Jeremy Piven’s sushi explanation–THR, Esq. – Entertainment and Media Law.
Interestingly, the show managed to recoup its investors’ money before it closed, partly, some suspect due to the publicity around Piven’s departure, and replacement by the likes of Norbert Leo Butz and William H. Macy. So, had the producers prevailed in their complaint against Piven, the measure of their damages is anything but clear.
Aug 20
Ken Davenport is a Broadway producer who generously blogs his thoughts about the theatre business. Recently, he posted a terrific explanation of the roles of producer and ‘lead’ producer. It’s worth a read.
“What’s the difference between a lead Producer and a Producer?”.
Aug 12
Episode 4 of my Entertainment Law Update podcast is now available. Visit the site to subscribe using iTunes or your favorite RSS Reader. Attorneys can get California MCLE (Continuing Legal Eduction) credit, too!
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Download Episode (right click)
Approximate Running Time: 1:14
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Aug 10
In the 1990’s Garth Drabinsky’s LIVENT was the hottest commercial producing company on Broadway. With hits like Ragtime! Show Boat, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Fosse!, the company and its founders were on top of the world.
It all came crashing down late in the decade, when it came to light that the company had been engaged in some very creative accounting. Max Bialystock has nothing on these guys!
In 2002 Drabinsky and his colleague Myron Gottlieb were arrested in Canada and charged with fraud and ere convicted earlier this year. On August 5th, after proposing to the Court a sentence involving community service and a speaking tour (it seems the song-and-dance never stops).. the two men were sentenced to seven and six year sentences, respectively.
Although the sentences seem short, they’re appropriate under Canadian law,since both men have serious health problems. Both men remain free on bail pending appeals.
The two men are still wanted in the U.S., where they’ve been charged with additional counts of fraud.
After the implosion of Livent in 1998, the company’s properties were purchased by SFX Entertainment, now operating as Live Nation.
