Latest news with #AmericanTheatreWing
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Broadway star Patti LuPone apologizes for ‘demeaning' and ‘disrespectful' comments
Twenty-five years ago, on a warm summer night in Los Angeles, Broadway stars Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald closed a show at the Hollywood Bowl with back-to-back encores of 'Get Happy'/'Happy Days Are Here Again.' Today, those happy days appear to be over for the two Tony Award winners. In a May 26 interview with the New Yorker, LuPone ignited a firestorm when she referred to McDonald as 'not a friend' and refused to comment on McDonald's celebrated performance in 'Gypsy.' (McDonald is nominated for a 2025 Tony Award in the category best actress in a leading role in a musical — its her 11th nomination.) LuPone also referred to Tony winner Kecia Lewis, who, like McDonald, is Black, as a 'bitch.' Speaking with Gayle King in a 'CBS Mornings' clip, McDonald sounded surprised by LuPone's comments. 'If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' she said. 'That's something that you'd have to ask Patti about. I haven't seen her in about 11 years, just because I've been busy, just with life and stuff. I don't know what rift she's talking about. You'd have to ask her.' (A full interview is set to air this week, according to a 'CBS Mornings' Instagram post.) Following public backlash, however, LuPone did something she rarely does. The outspoken diva apologized. But that was not without some stage direction. In an open letter from her colleagues in the theater community dated May 30, more than 500 actors, including Tony-winning actors Wendell Pierce, James Monroe Iglehart and Maleah Joi Moon, called LuPone's language 'racialized disrespect,' 'bullying' and 'harassment.' They asked the American Theatre Wing and Broadway League to discourage those who disparage fellow artists, including LuPone, from attending industry events 'including the Tony Awards, fundraisers, and public programs.' (The 2025 Tony Awards are scheduled for June 8 in New York, and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.) On Saturday, LuPone responded to the criticism in a statement on her Instagram account: 'I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful. I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others ...' She went on to write that she hopes to speak to McDonald and Lewis in person. LuPone is well-versed in calling people out herself, particularly audience members who text during her theater performances. Last year, she even complained about noise from the Alicia Keys musical 'Hell's Kitchen' when she was performing in 'The Roommate' with Mia Farrow next door. After LuPone asked the theater owner to fix the sound because she found it to be too loud, Lewis took offense and posted a video on Instagram, describing LuPone's actions as 'bullying,' 'racially microaggressive' and 'rude and rooted in privilege.' She also noted that 'calling a Black show loud dismisses it.' Last year, Lewis won a Grammy for best musical theater album and a Tony in the category best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical for 'Hell's Kitchen.' Although flippant, LuPone's words only serve to hurt everyone during a turbulent time for the arts in America, the open letter said. 'Our industry is under threat. The arts are being defunded, theater programs are disappearing, and artists are being pushed to the margins. We need each other now more than ever. We need community. We need leadership. And we need accountability.' Humbled, LuPone agreed. 'I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday,' she wrote. 'From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don't belong anywhere else. I made a mistake, and I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theater community deserves better.'
CNN
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Patti Lupone apologizes for ‘disrespectful' comments made about fellow Broadway actors during New Yorker interview
Patti Lupone has issued an apology after making what she now describes as 'demeaning and disrespectful' comments about two fellow Broadway stars in an interview with the New Yorker last week. The 'Evita' star's apology comes after hundreds of performers from the Broadway and theater communities issued an open letter first published by Playbill and called for accountability in light of Lupone's 'deeply inappropriate and unacceptable public comments' about Broadway stars Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald. In the interview, Lupone referred to Lewis as a 'b*tch' and said McDonald was 'not a friend,' prompting a wave of backlash against the notoriously thorny legend. Lupone had previously had public spats with both performers. 'I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful,' Lupone wrote in a statement posted to her Instagram page Saturday. 'I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community.' Lupone added that she hopes 'to have the chance to speak to' McDonald and Lewis personally to offer her 'sincere apologies.' The letter, which was issued to the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, also called upon the institutions to take action by not welcoming Lupone at 'industry events,' including the Tony Awards, which are presented by the two institutions. 'This language is not only degrading and misogynistic—it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect. It constitutes bullying. It constitutes harassment,' the letter stated. 'It is emblematic of the microaggressions and abuse that people in this industry have endured for far too long, too often without consequence.' The Tony Awards are set to take place June 8. In her apology on Saturday, Lupone wrote that she 'wholeheartedly' agreed with 'everything that was written' in the open letter. 'From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don't belong anywhere else,' Lupone wrote. 'I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.' CNN has reached out to representatives for Lupone, Lewis and McDonald for comment. In the New Yorker interview, Lupone was asked about an incident that happened last year when Lewis posted a video to her Instagram page asking for an apology from Lupone after she had called 'Hell's Kitchen,' the stage production in which Lewis stars, 'too loud.' She said Lupone, who was at the time starring in 'The Roommate' in the theater next to 'Hell's Kitchen,' had requested that the latter's sound department make adjustments. In Lewis' video, she called herself and Lupone veterans in the industry and said Lupone's actions were 'offensive' and 'racially microaggressive.' When asked about the incident by the New Yorker, Lupone responded: 'Don't call yourself a vet, b*tch.' 'This is not unusual on Broadway. This happens all the time when walls are shared,' she added. Lupone also reacted to McDonald showing support for Lewis in the comments section of the video, telling the New Yorker she thought 'that's typical of Audra.' 'She's not a friend,' she said. McDonald was asked about Lupone's comments on 'CBS This Morning' on Thursday, but seemingly took the high road. 'If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' she said. 'That's something that you'd have to ask Patti about.'
CNN
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Patti Lupone apologizes for ‘disrespectful' comments made about fellow Broadway actors during New Yorker interview
Patti Lupone has issued an apology after making what she now describes as 'demeaning and disrespectful' comments about two fellow Broadway stars in an interview with the New Yorker last week. The 'Evita' star's apology comes after hundreds of performers from the Broadway and theater communities issued an open letter first published by Playbill and called for accountability in light of Lupone's 'deeply inappropriate and unacceptable public comments' about Broadway stars Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald. In the interview, Lupone referred to Lewis as a 'b*tch' and said McDonald was 'not a friend,' prompting a wave of backlash against the notoriously thorny legend. Lupone had previously had public spats with both performers. 'I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful,' Lupone wrote in a statement posted to her Instagram page Saturday. 'I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community.' Lupone added that she hopes 'to have the chance to speak to' McDonald and Lewis personally to offer her 'sincere apologies.' The letter, which was issued to the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, also called upon the institutions to take action by not welcoming Lupone at 'industry events,' including the Tony Awards, which are presented by the two institutions. 'This language is not only degrading and misogynistic—it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect. It constitutes bullying. It constitutes harassment,' the letter stated. 'It is emblematic of the microaggressions and abuse that people in this industry have endured for far too long, too often without consequence.' The Tony Awards are set to take place June 8. In her apology on Saturday, Lupone wrote that she 'wholeheartedly' agreed with 'everything that was written' in the open letter. 'From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don't belong anywhere else,' Lupone wrote. 'I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.' CNN has reached out to representatives for Lupone, Lewis and McDonald for comment. In the New Yorker interview, Lupone was asked about an incident that happened last year when Lewis posted a video to her Instagram page asking for an apology from Lupone after she had called 'Hell's Kitchen,' the stage production in which Lewis stars, 'too loud.' She said Lupone, who was at the time starring in 'The Roommate' in the theater next to 'Hell's Kitchen,' had requested that the latter's sound department make adjustments. In Lewis' video, she called herself and Lupone veterans in the industry and said Lupone's actions were 'offensive' and 'racially microaggressive.' When asked about the incident by the New Yorker, Lupone responded: 'Don't call yourself a vet, b*tch.' 'This is not unusual on Broadway. This happens all the time when walls are shared,' she added. Lupone also reacted to McDonald showing support for Lewis in the comments section of the video, telling the New Yorker she thought 'that's typical of Audra.' 'She's not a friend,' she said. McDonald was asked about Lupone's comments on 'CBS This Morning' on Thursday, but seemingly took the high road. 'If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' she said. 'That's something that you'd have to ask Patti about.'
CBS News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Patti LuPone apologizes after Broadway community's open letter calls out her comments on Kecia Lewis, Audra McDonald
Patti LuPone has issued an apology after hundreds of Broadway performers spoke out against the three-time Tony Awards winner over what they say is a pattern of "inappropriate and unacceptable public comments," specifically against Broadway star Kecia Lewis, in an open letter. "For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today." LuPone said in her apology posted Saturday on social media. Lupone issued the apology in response to a letter, dated May 30 and addressed to the American Theatre Wing, the national trade association for the Broadway theatre industry, calling on decision makers to "hold people accountable for violent, disrespectful, or harmful behavior." More than 500 Broadway performers — including James Monroe Iglehart, Kalen Allen and Tatianna Córdoba — signed the open letter, which was first published in Playbill. It comes after the New Yorker published an interview last week with 76-year-old LuPone, a White performer, in which she said of Lewis, who is a Black actress said: "Don't call yourself a vet, bitch," apparently referring to Lewis' November 2024 video posted to her Instagram in which she spoke about LuPone's behavior. "This language is not only degrading and misogynistic-it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect. It constitutes bullying. It constitutes harassment. It is emblematic of the microaggressions and abuse that people in this industry have endured for far too long, too often without consequence," said the open letter. LuPone's issue with Lewis appeared to have began last fall when she starred in "The Roommate," a two-woman show with Mia Farrow that was next door to "Hell's Kitchen," a musical inspired by Alicia Key's life and music in which Lewis performed and won Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone during the opening night curtain call for the new play "The Roommate" on Broadway at The Booth Theatre on September 12, 2024 in New York City. Bruce Glikas/WireImage According to Lewis' video, LuPone had made complaints about the noise from the musical, which led to changes to the sound design that "negatively impacted" the show and its performers. Lewis also brought up a video of LuPone refusing to sign a fan's "Hell's Kitchen" playbill because the musical is "too loud." "I wanted to address this because, Ms. LuPone, these actions, in my opinion, are bullying," Lewis said in the video. "They're offensive, they are racially microaggressive, they're rude, they're rooted in privilege. And these actions also lack a sense of community and leadership for someone as yourself, who has been in the business as long as you have." Lewis then asked LuPone, from one Broadway veteran to another, to apologize. When asked, LuPone addressed the situation in the New Yorker article, saying, "This is not unusual on Broadway. This happens all the time when walls are shared." "She calls herself a veteran? Let's find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done, because she doesn't know what the f--- she's talking about," LuPone told the New Yorker. CBS News has reached out to LuPone and Lewis for comment. Kecia Lewis of "Hell's Kitchen" performs onstage during The 77th Annual Tony Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on June 16, 2024 in New York City. Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions When the New Yorker asked about Audra McDonald, who appeared to support Lewis' video, LuPone said: "That's typical of Audra. She's not a friend." She added that the two had issues in the past, but didn't go into details. In her apology on Saturday, LuPone said she regrets her "flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community." "I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies," LuPone added. "I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don't belong anywhere else. I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better." McDonald, the most nominated and awarded performer in Tony Award history, told CBS News' Gayle King in an interview set to air Tuesday on "CBS Mornings" that she had not seen LuPone in 11 years. "If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is. That's something you'd have to ask Patti about," McDonald said. Next week on June 8, the Tony Awards are set to broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+. McDonald could add snatch her seventh Tony win thanks to the revival of "Gypsy."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Sunset Boulevard': Will Andrew Lloyd Webber break a 30-year Tony drought?
In 1995, the original Broadway staging of Sunset Boulevard won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. That marked the last time an Andrew Lloyd Webber show won a Best Production accolade from the American Theatre Wing. Exactly 30 years later, the current remounting is the frontrunner to win Best Musical Revival. If it prevails, it'd be quite a full-circle moment for the legendary composer. In the years since Sunset Boulevard originally contended, four more Lloyd Webber titles were nominated for a Best Show award, but didn't prevail: More from GoldDerby 'The Last of Us' director Kate Herron on bringing the Ellie and Dina relationship to the show: 'It was a privilege' How Zoe Saldaña helped shape Pixar's upcoming film 'Elio' 'The Pitt' star Supriya Ganesh on Mohan 'reworking' her trauma and when she'll realize Abbot is flirting with her Jesus Christ Superstar for Best Musical Revival in 2000; lost to Kiss Me, Kate Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar for Best Musical Revival in 2012; both lost to Porgy & Bess School of Rock for Best Musical in 2016; lost to Hamilton The Broadway legend also had three other shows eligible for Best Musical noms, but each of them were nearly shut out: By Jeeves in 2002, The Woman in White in 2006 (even though it showed up for Best Score), and Bad Cinderella in 2023. In 2017, two of his shows were eligible for Best Musical Revival, but both of them were completely ignored: Cats and the previous remounting of Sunset Boulevard. This year, the current Sunset Boulevard has seven nominations overall. Many are expecting it to do well on Tony night in terms of wins. In addition to Best Musical Revival, it's also expected to take home Best Direction of a Musical (Jamie Lloyd) and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Jack Knowles). See Gold Derby's Tony odds. Nicole Scherzinger, who's in second place for Best Actress in a Musical, is competitive for the win up against current frontrunner, Audra McDonald in Gypsy. The former has already won an Olivier (for the production's West End run) and Drama League Awards for her performance as Norma Desmond. This is a role that previously won Glenn Close a Tony for the original production. The rest of this year's Best Musical Revival lineup includes Gypsy (second place), Floyd Collins (third place), and Pirates! The Penzance Musical (fourth place). SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby Who Needs a Tony to Reach EGOT? Sadie Sink on her character's 'emotional rage' in 'John Proctor Is the Villain' and her reaction to 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' 'It should be illegal how much fun I'm having': Lea Salonga on playing Mrs. Lovett and more in 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' Click here to read the full article.
