Richard Easton collapses during Coast of Utopia performance

Acclaimed actor Richard Easton collapsed last night during a performance of The Coast of Utopia. According to the New York Times, Easton was in the middle of a scene with Ethan Hawke, and as he made his exit, he collapsed face-first.

As the action unfolded, Mr. Easton’s character was trying to persuade his son, played by Ethan Hawke, to take a job rather than continue his studies.

“You can’t go to Berlin!” he said, then made his exit. As he left the stage he staggered, then fell on his face, said Rosa Schneider, who was in the audience. Mr. Hawke and the other actor, Amy Irving, continued for a few seconds.

But then Mr. Hawke and several others gathered around Mr. Easton at the rear of the stage.

A minute later, Mr. Hawke addressed the audience: “Is there a doctor in the house?” he asked.

The audience was confused as to whether the whole thing was a part of the show, but when the loudspeaker announced a need for a doctor, about 20 people came to the stage to help.

The publicist for Lincoln Center said that Easton is conscious and in stable condition at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and undergoing tests.