Tony Roberts’ Illness during Production Due to Seizure

Theatergoers attending the Sunday matinee performance of the Broadway revival of The Royal Family were shocked to see the curtain fall shortly after its opening over the weekend, as 69-year-old actor Tony Roberts fell ill during the show and was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. It all started during Sunday’s performance of The Royal Family when Roberts’ speech suddenly started slurring. Soon thereafter, the curtain fell and there was an announcement for a doctor in the house, and he was thereafter taken to the nearby St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where he was diagnosed with a minor seizure.

Roberts is expected to return to the Broadway production, though a date hasn’t yet been set. As of now, the official opening date set for tomorrow at the Samuel J. Fiedman Theater will still happen, though no replacement has been announced for Roberts. Since his illness, understudy Anthony Newfield has taken over Roberts’ role. Tony Roberts’ daughter Nicole recently made a statement regarding her father’s status, saying, “My father is feeling great and looks forward to returning to the show. He experienced a minor seizure and regrets that it had to happen so publicly. He is taking medication now, which should prevent any future incidents.”

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Posted in General on October 7, 2009

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