Patti LuPone on Audra McDonald: Broadway icon calls former colleague 'not a friend' amidst reports of rift
The 76-year-old actress, known for her commanding stage presence, did not mince words when discussing their fractured relationship.
LuPone, who has won three Tony Awards and starred in some of Broadway's most beloved productions, stated plainly, 'She's not a friend.'
The comment, from her revealing interview with The New Yorker, came in response to questions surrounding McDonald's current role as Rose in Gypsy, a character LuPone famously portrayed in 2008, which earned her a Tony Award.
When pressed about the cause of their estrangement, LuPone mentioned a past incident without providing specifics. However, her frustration was palpable.
gonna start saying 'what a beautiful day' when people ask me how a show was pic.twitter.com/85uH5tFCJj — Tom Smyth (@Tom_Smyth_) May 26, 2025
While the pair have shared the stage on several occasions—most notably in the 2000 New York Philharmonic concert version of Sweeney Todd—their personal bond appears to have disintegrated over time.
LuPone, who has long been an outspoken figure in the theatre world, has no interest in rekindling the friendship, and her comments suggest a permanent break.
The two Broadway legends have had vastly different careers in the theatre world, with McDonald, 54, receiving 11 Tony nominations (the most of any performer in history) and winning six.
LuPone, in contrast, has been recognized for her powerful performances in productions such as Evita and Gypsy, earning her three Tony Awards.
However, despite their mutual acclaim, their personal relationship has evidently soured.
Adding to the complexity of their public falling-out, LuPone did not shy away from discussing a separate social media dispute with Kecia Lewis, a fellow performer.
The conflict arose after Lewis criticized LuPone's comments on the musical Hell's Kitchen, calling her remarks 'microaggressive' and 'rooted in privilege.'
LuPone's response was blunt and confrontational, further highlighting her tendency to speak her mind without reservation.
Though it's clear that LuPone and McDonald are no longer friends, the former's candor about their fractured relationship is a reminder of the complex dynamics within the Broadway community.
As LuPone continues to make her mark in television and film, her past disputes remain part of her larger narrative, one that shows no signs of fading into the background.
With her new role in And Just Like That… and an illustrious career spanning decades, LuPone remains one of Broadway's most compelling and divisive figures.
Whether her feuds with former colleagues are part of the larger fabric of her career or simply a reflection of her unapologetic nature remains to be seen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
At 65, Banderas has no plans to retire
Spanish film star Antonio Banderas has no plans to slow down now that he has reached 65. photo: file Spanish film star Antonio Banderas said in an interview published on Sunday for his birthday that he has no plans to slow down now that he has reached 65. "When I was 20, I thought that 65-year-olds walked with a cane," said Banderas, known for roles in films such as "The Mask of Zorro", "Desperado" and "Philadelphia", in an interview with the Spanish daily El País. "Back then, at 65 you retired. Not anymore — now it's later. Maybe I'm doing things I shouldn't be doing," added Banderas, who suffered a heart attack in 2017. "But the doctors don't say anything to me. They say I'm fine, that I should do whatever I want." The actor said he has recently started music theory classes and bought himself a piano. "I think I'd be one of those people who die if they stop. And I work at what I love; it's been the luck of my life," he said. Banderas, who began acting in the 1980s, said he remains busy running the theatre he opened in 2019 in his hometown of Malaga, in southern Spain. He spent part of the summer in Boston filming a biopic of legendary chef Anthony Bourdain, titled "Tony", and then travelled to Spain's Canary Islands to work on a thriller "Above and Below".
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
'Coronation Street' star and stage actor Frank Grimes dies aged 78
Irish actor Frank Grimes, widely celebrated for his work across theatre, film, and television, has died at the age of 78 following a short illness. The Dublin-born performer passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, August 1, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in London. Grimes was hailed as 'one of Ireland's greatest actors' by the ICC, which remembered him as warm-hearted and full of 'Dublin wit and charm.' The centre paid tribute to his remarkable career and presence, calling him a rare talent who brought unforgettable energy to the stage. Over his decades-long career, Grimes gained acclaim in both Ireland and the UK. He trained at Dublin's Abbey Theatre and appeared in numerous productions there between 1965 and 1972, performing works by iconic writers such as Sean O'Casey, J.M. Synge, Lady Gregory, and Shakespeare. One of his standout early roles was playing Brendan Behan in the 1967 world premiere of Borstal Boy, a production that later transferred to Broadway and earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. In television, Grimes became known to UK audiences through his role as Barry Connor on Coronation Street, appearing in over 50 episodes between 2008 and 2015. He also appeared in Mrs Brown's Boys, A Bridge Too Far, Tulips of Harlem, The Outsider, and Blind Justice. Grimes was also a noted James Joyce enthusiast. His self-written performance, The He and the She of It… A Portrait of James Joyce, earned him standing ovations during multiple runs at the ICC. He is survived by his wife Ginnette, children Tilly and Andrew, and seven grandchildren. Tributes continue to pour in for the actor from across the theatre and film communities.
Express Tribune
06-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Hamilton original live cast film to debut in cinemas starting September 5
Lin‑Manuel Miranda has confirmed that the filmed version of Hamilton, featuring the original Broadway cast, will be released in cinemas on September 5 2025 in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The announcement was made during his appearance on The Tonight Show. Miranda explained that the recording, captured live at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in June 2016, was initially intended for theatrical release. However, the project shifted to streaming during the pandemic and debuted on Disney+ in July 2020. Miranda said, 'So, Sept. 5, you will be able to see Hamilton in movie theatres nationwide.' In addition to the screening in North America, the film is set to open in the UK and Ireland on September 26 and in Australia and New Zealand on November 13. Tickets are now available for purchase. The theatrical version includes a new prologue, "Reuniting the Revolution", with interviews featuring the original cast and creators reflecting on the show's legacy. Director-producer Thomas Kail noted the intention to replicate 'the feeling of being in the Richard Rodgers Theatre' for cinema audiences. The cast includes Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Daveed Diggs as Lafayette/Jefferson, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, Jonathan Groff as King George III, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton. Miranda's interview coincides with the 10-year anniversary of Hamilton, which premiered in 2015 and went on to win 11 Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. The film rights were reported to have sold for US $75 million, and the Disney+ version earned multiple Emmy wins. A special premiere screening will be held on September 3 at Central Park's Delacorte Theatre, with tickets available through a public donation and lottery system benefiting The Public Theater, where Hamilton originated. This theatrical release represents the next stage in the musical's global celebration and offers fans a chance to experience the original performance on the big screen.
