On Feb. 1, the New York Post first broke the story that Rudin pulled out as lead producer of the Broadway debut of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play because Norris — who is also a respected actor — withdrew from negotiations for Rudin's HBO series "The Corrections."

Rudin declined comment to Playbill.com on Feb. 1, but released this statement exclusively to the New York Times: "Bruce Norris came in twice to audition for 'The Corrections' and subsequently spent many months negotiating every point in a four-year agreement to appear in the show. Mr. Norris called to tell me — after every issue had been resolved in his favor — that he had decided not to appear in the show, and had in fact during the negotiation made a series of what he termed more and more outrageous demands in the hope that we would turn him down, and that he would not have to face the responsibility of reneging on a commitment he made. I think he's a wonderful playwright, and an equally wonderful actor, but I am unwilling to support or de facto condone this behavior and have decided not to proceed with Clybourne Park, or A Parallelogram, or with the production of a new play I commissioned from Mr. Norris. I look forward to seeing his next play as a member of the paying audience. Clybourne Park is a fabulous play and I hope Bruce finds somebody else to produce it. I have encouraged our investors to stay with the play. It deserves to be seen on Broadway."

Through an agent, Norris declined comment Feb. 2.

Discussions are ongoing among other producers about buoying the play to the Walter Kerr as planned. Jordan Roth, president of Jujamcyn Theaters, said on Feb. 1 that he hoped to have a statement soon.

Read Playbill.com's Feb. 1 story about Rudin withdrawing from Clybourne Park.