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NBC News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Patti LuPone receives scathing open letter for 'degrading' comments about Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald
More than 600 members of the Broadway community condemned Patti LuPone in an open letter Friday after the three-time Tony winner made controversial comments about fellow stars Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald. The letter, addressed to The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, comes in response to a profile published in The New Yorker this week in which LuPone called Lewis a 'b----' and McDonald 'not a friend.' 'This language is not only degrading and misogynistic — it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect. It constitutes bullying. It constitutes harassment,' the letter says. Theater publication Playbill reported signatories to the letter include Tony winners James Monroe Iglehart, Maleah Joi Moon and Wendell Pierce. Lewis currently stars in 'Hell's Kitchen' on Broadway, for which she won a 2024 Tony Award. McDonald won the 2014 Tony Award for best actress in a play (her sixth) and is the first performer to win the award in all performance categories. She is nominated for the 11th time this year for her lead performance in the musical 'Gypsy.' As of Saturday, the letter had garnered 682 signatures, according to a document that allows people to request the addition of their names. 'Individuals, including Patti Lupone, who use their platform to publicly demean, harass, or disparage fellow artists — particularly with racial, gendered, or otherwise violent language — should not be welcomed at industry events, including the Tony Awards, fundraisers, and public programs,' the letter said. The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League — which present the Tony Awards, set to be held on June 8 — did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment. LuPone also did not immediately respond. In the New Yorker interview, LuPone was asked about a controversy that circulated during her time co-starring in 'The Roommate' with Mia Farrow last fall. The play, which has since closed, shared a wall with the Tony-winning musical 'Hell's Kitchen,' featuring Lewis. LuPone reportedly asked for the sound design of 'Hell's Kitchen' to be adjusted because the music would bleed through the shared walls, and sent the sound and stage management team flowers and a thank-you note once it was fixed. Lewis posted a video on Instagram in November in response, calling LuPone's actions 'racially microaggressive' and 'rooted in privilege.' Producers of 'The Roommate' posted a statement the following day thanking the 'Hell's Kitchen' staff for the fix, saying, 'These kinds of sound accommodations from one show to another are not unusual and are always deeply appreciated.' LuPone said of the back-and-forth in The New Yorker interview: 'Let's find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done, because she doesn't know what the f--- she's talking about. ... She's done seven. I've done thirty-one. Don't call yourself a vet, b----.' The New Yorker noted that Lewis has actually done 10 shows and LuPone 28. Michael Schulman, the interviewer, mentioned to LuPone that McDonald — who holds the record as the Broadway performer with the most Tony Awards and nominations — gave the video 'supportive emojis.' The 76-year-old actor responded: 'And I thought, 'You should know better.' That's typical of Audra. She's not a friend.' McDonald was asked about LuPone's comments in a 'CBS Mornings' interview with Gayle King to discuss her latest Tony-nominated role as Mama Rose in 'Gypsy.' 'If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' McDonald said in a clip CBS shared on social media ahead of the full interview, which airs next week. 'That's something that you'd have to ask Patti about.' The open letter said LuPone's attempt to 'discredit' McDonald's legacy was not only a personal offense, but 'a public affront to the values of collaboration, equity, and mutual respect that our theater community claims to uphold.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Patti LuPone Says Audra McDonald Is ‘Not a Friend' After a Falling Out Years Ago, Stares in Silence When Asked About McDonald's ‘Gypsy' Revival
Patti LuPone is not one to mince words, which is why her latest profile in The New Yorker is stirring up buzz among Broadway fans for the revelation that she is no longer friends with fellow stage icon Audra McDonald. 'She's not a friend,' LuPone said when McDonald's name was brought up by interviewer Michael Schulman. McDonald is a Tony nominee this year for playing Rose in 'Gypsy,' a role that previously won LuPone a Tony. LuPone revealed to The New Yorker that she had a falling out with McDonald some years ago, although she declined to go into further detail. The revelation came to be after Schulman brought up a scandal that LuPone found herself in last fall while on Broadway opposite Mia Farrow in 'The Roommate.' The play shared a wall with the Alicia Keys musical 'Hell's Kitchen,' loud noises from which could be heard next door. LuPone filed a noise complaint to Robert Wankel, the head of the Shubert Organization, and sent flowers to the cast and crew of 'Hell's Kitchen' when the noise problem was fixed. But she was later criticized by some of the musical's cast members. More from Variety Pharrell Williams and Audra McDonald on Putting Dandyism on Display at the Met Gala: 'It's About Time' Jake Gyllenhaal and Audra McDonald on Playing Broadway Villains, Stage Fright and Cellphones Disrupting Broadway Shows: 'I Snapped!' George Clooney and Patti LuPone Get Honest About Broadway Pay, Surviving the Trump Era and Elon Musk: 'Isn't He Destroying the Government?' Kecia Lewis, whose role in 'Hell's Kitchen' won her the Tony for best featured actress in a musical, posted a video on Instagram slamming LuPone's behavior as 'bullying' and 'racially microaggressive.' Lewis added that LuPone was 'rooted in privilege' and called out LuPone for labeling 'a Black show loud.' McDonald liked Lewis' video. 'Exactly,' LuPone told The New Yorker. 'And I thought, 'You should know better.' That's typical of Audra. She's not a friend.' When Schulman then asked LuPone for her thoughts on McDonald's production of 'Gypsy,' LuPone stared back at him 'in silence for fifteen seconds' and proceeded to look out the window and say: 'What a beautiful day.' As noted by People magazine, LuPone and McDonald's history of working together in the past includes the 2007 Los Angeles Opera's production of 'Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny' and the New York Philharmonic's 2000 concert version of 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' in which LuPone played Mrs. Lovett and McDonald starred as the Beggar Woman. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Audra McDonald Clueless Over Patti LuPone Calling Her ‘Not a Friend' Due to Falling Out: ‘I Haven't Seen Her in 11 Years… I Don't Know What Rift She's Talking About'
Audra McDonald is responding with surprise to Patti LuPone's recent interview with The New Yorker, in which LuPone shaded McDonald and revealed the two had an apparent falling out and are no longer friends. 'I mean, if there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' McDonald told Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' when asked if she was 'surprised' by LuPone's comment. 'That's something you'd have to ask Patti about.' More from Variety Patti LuPone Says Audra McDonald Is 'Not a Friend' After a Falling Out Years Ago, Stares in Silence When Asked About McDonald's 'Gypsy' Revival Pharrell Williams and Audra McDonald on Putting Dandyism on Display at the Met Gala: 'It's About Time' Jake Gyllenhaal and Audra McDonald on Playing Broadway Villains, Stage Fright and Cellphones Disrupting Broadway Shows: 'I Snapped!' 'I haven't seen her in about 11 years because I've been busy with life and stuff,' McDonald added. 'So, I don't know what rift she's talking about. You'd have to ask her.' In the original interview, LuPone said 'she's not a friend' when McDonald's name was brought up by interviewer Michael Schulman. McDonald is a Tony nominee this year for playing Rose in 'Gypsy,' a role that previously won LuPone a Tony. The two actors' alleged feud was brought up as LuPone was reflecting on an incident that occurred last fall when she was on Broadway in 'The Roommate.' LuPone filed a complaint as noise from the musical next door, 'Hell's Kitchen,' could be heard in her theater. 'Hell's Kitchen' Tony winner Kecia Lewis posted a video slamming LuPone's behavior as 'bullying' and 'racially microaggressive.' Lewis added that LuPone was 'rooted in privilege' and called out LuPone for labeling 'a Black show loud.' McDonald liked Lewis' video. 'Exactly,' LuPone told The New Yorker. 'And I thought, 'You should know better.' That's typical of Audra. She's not a friend.' When Schulman then asked LuPone for her thoughts on McDonald's production of 'Gypsy,' LuPone stared back at him 'in silence for fifteen seconds' and proceeded to look out the window and say: 'What a beautiful day.' LuPone and McDonald worked together in 2007 on the Los Angeles Opera's production of 'Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny' and in 2000 for the New York Philharmonic's concert version of 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.' Watch McDonald's interview on 'CBS Mornings' in the video below. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
500 Broadway Performers Sign Open Letter Urging Tony Awards to Disinvite Patti LuPone for ‘Degrading and Misogynistic' Comments
Broadway performers and theater professionals are calling on the producers of the Tony Awards to disinvite Patti LuPone from the show after the theater legend made controversial remarks about Audra McDonald and 'Hell's Kitchen' star Kecia Lewis in an interview with the New Yorker. The open letter has received more than 500 signatures, including those of Tony winners James Monroe Iglehart, J. Harrison Ghee and Maleah Joi Moon, as well as stage and screen veterans like Ephraim Sykes, Wendell Pierce, and Jaquel Spivey. Courtney Love is also among the signatories. 'No artist, producer, director, or leader — regardless of legacy or celebrity — should be allowed to weaponize their platform to belittle, threaten, or devalue others without consequence,' the letter reads. More from Variety Lena Waithe and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins on How Pulitzer Winner 'Purpose' is in Dialogue With 'A Raisin in the Sun' Audra McDonald Clueless Over Patti LuPone Calling Her 'Not a Friend' Due to Falling Out: 'I Haven't Seen Her in 11 Years... I Don't Know What Rift She's Talking About' Original 'Hamilton' Cast to Reunite for Tony Awards Performance In the New Yorker piece, which was published on May 26, LuPone addressed issues that arose last fall when she was appearing on Broadway in 'The Roommate.' The theater where the show performed shared a wall with the Alicia Keys musical 'Hell's Kitchen,' and LuPone complained to the head of the Shubert Organization about the loud noises from which could be heard next door. She sent flowers to the cast and crew of 'Hell's Kitchen' when the noise problem was fixed. But she was later criticized on social media by Lewis, who said LuPone's behavior was 'bullying' and 'racially microaggressive.' McDonald liked Lewis' message. When LuPone was asked by the New Yorker about Lewis' post, she called the actress a 'bitch' and questioned whether or not Lewis, who won a Tony for 'Hell's Kitchen,' was a Broadway veteran. In the same interview she dismissed McDonald as 'not a friend' and shaded her performance in 'Gypsy' (LuPone won a Tony appearing in an earlier revival of the musical.) The open letter criticizes LuPone for her comments about Lewis, stating that '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.' It goes on to criticize LuPone's comments about McDonald. 'To publicly attack a woman who has contributed to this art form with such excellence, leadership, and grace — and to discredit the legacy of Audra McDonald, the most nominated and awarded performer in Tony Award history — is not simply a personal offense,' the letter reads. 'It is a public affront to the values of collaboration, equity, and mutual respect that our theater community claims to uphold.' The letter argues that Broadway has not done enough to condemn the misbehavior of powerful people in the industry, comparing it unfavorably to other businesses. 'This would not be tolerated in other industries. In 2021, the NFL fined the Washington Commanders $10 million and removed Dan Snyder from day-to-day operations after a toxic workplace culture came to light. Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for ten years after slapping a fellow artist during a live broadcast. These organizations acted swiftly to preserve their values and the integrity of their communities. Why should Broadway hold itself to a lower standard?' The Tony Awards will air on June 8. A spokesperson for the awards did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for LuPone. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
New York Post
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Patti LuPone condemned by over 500 Broadway artists for ‘bullying' Audra McDonald, Kecia Lewis
Break a leg. More than 500 Broadway artists signed an open letter slamming Patti LuPone over her recent comments against Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis. The letter, which was written on behalf of the Broadway Theater Community on Friday, May 30, chastised LuPone, 76, for the flippant remarks she made about her fellow stage icons in an interview with The New Yorker published on Monday. 7 More than 500 Broadway artists signed an open letter slamming Patti LuPone for her recent comments against Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock 'Recently, Patti LuPone made deeply inappropriate and unacceptable public comments about two of Broadway's most respected and beloved artists,' the letter, which was addressed to the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League, read. 'This language is not only degrading and misogynistic – it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect,' the letter continued. '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.' Some high-profile Broadway stars who signed the open letter include Tony winners Maleah Joi Moon ('Hell's Kitchen'), James Monroe Iglehart ('Aladdin') and Wendell Pierce ('Radio Golf'). 7 LuPone said McDonald was 'not a friend' during an interview with The New Yorker earlier this week. WireImage The more than 500 signatories described LuPone's remarks as a 'public affront to the values of collaboration, equity, and mutual respect that our theater community claims to uphold.' 'Let us be clear: this is about more than one person,' the letter continued. 'It is about a culture. A pattern. A persistent failure to hold people accountable for violent, disrespectful, or harmful behavior – especially when they are powerful or well-known.' 'This is not about differing opinions,' the letter went on. 'It is about public actions that demean, intimidate, or perpetuate violence against fellow artists. It is about the normalization of harm in an industry that too often protects prestige over people.' 7 LuPone also called Lewis a 'bitch' who 'doesn't know what the f–k she's talking about.' Joan Marcus Playbill was the first to share the document on Friday, and the letter added that the Broadway community can't 'continue to welcome back those who harm others simply because of their fame or perceived value.' It also demanded an end to the kind of behavior that LuPone exhibited earlier this week. 'We will no longer tolerate violence – verbal, emotional, or physical – against artists within our own community,' the letter said. 'No more free passes. If our industry is truly committed to equity, justice, and respect, then those values must be applied consistently, even when it's uncomfortable.' 7 'This language is not only degrading and misogynistic – it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect,' more than 500 members of the Broadway community said on Friday in response to LuPone's remarks. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock 'Especially when it's uncomfortable,' the missive continued. 'No artist, producer, director, or leader—regardless of legacy or celebrity—should be allowed to weaponize their platform to belittle, threaten, or devalue others without consequence. Period.' The Post has reached out to LuPone's reps for comment. The 'Beau Is Afraid' actress first made headlines when she bashed McDonald and Lewis during her scathing sit-down with The New Yorker. 7 McDonald and LuPone performing onstage together at The Hollywood Bowl in July 2000. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images While the 'Agatha All Along' actress said that McDonald, 54, was 'not a friend,' she later called Lewis, 59, a 'bitch' who 'doesn't know what the f–k she's talking about.' 'Oh, my God,' LuPone said of the 'Hell's Kitchen' actress. 'Here's the problem. 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–k she's talking about.' 'She's done seven,' LuPone added. 'I've done thirty-one. Don't call yourself a vet, bitch.' 7 Kecia Lewis accepting the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical award for 'Hell's Kitchen' at the 77th Annual Tony Awards in June 2024. Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions LuPone also targeted Glenn Close, 78, during the no holds barred interview, saying she wanted to call her a 'bitch' after Close replaced her in the Broadway debut of 'Sunset Boulevard.' McDonald later addressed LuPone's vicious remarks in an interview with Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' Thursday. The 'Gilded Age' star said she was 'surprised' by her Broadway colleague's comments and didn't 'know what she's talking about.' 7 McDonald addressed LuPone's surprising remarks on Thursday. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 'I mean, if there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' McDonald said. 'That's something you'd have to ask Patti about.' 'I haven't seen her in about 11 years because I've been busy with life and stuff,' she added. 'So, I don't know what rift she's talking about. You'd have to ask her.'
