Veteran actor Tony Roberts fell ill on stage yesterday, bringing the matinee performance of “The Royal Family” to a halt.
Roberts, 69, had just made his entrance in the comedy at the Friedman Theatre on West 47th Street at about 2:20 p.m. when he started speaking incoherently, shocked theatergoers told The Post. Those close to the actor fear he may have suffered a stroke.
“He looked fine and moved around fine, but he was speaking nothing but gibberish for about a minute,” said one audience member, Roger Lorente.
“It was very strange. The curtain came down and the lights went up, and the usher asked if there were any doctors in the house,” Lorente said.
Some in the audience thought the gibberish was part of the play, until co-star John Glover walked off and ordered the curtain brought down, sources said.
Roberts was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was listed in a stable condition.
“He’s doing well,” said a cousin, who declined to identify herself further. “He’s talking. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Show spokesman Aaron Meier said the play, which is in previews and will formally open on Thursday evening, went on as scheduled last night, with understudy Anthony Newfield filling in for Roberts.
Additional reporting by
Jamie Schram