Broadway Community Speaks Out Against Patti Lupone
The Broadway community is calling for action against legendary theater actress Patti Lupone after she made controversial comments about fellow actresses Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis in an interview with The New Yorker. An open letter, signed by over 500 industry professionals, including Tony winner James Monroe Iglhart and stage veterans Ephraim Sykes and Wendell Pierce, is urging the Tony Awards producers to reduce Lupone’s involvement in the upcoming show.
The Incident That Sparked Outrage
The controversy began when Lupone appeared in the Broadway show "The Roommate" last autumn, which shared a wall with the Alicia Keys musical "Hell’s Kitchen". Lupone complained about the noise from the neighboring show and sent flowers to the cast and crew when the issue was resolved. However, "Hell’s Kitchen" star Kecia Lewis criticized Lupone’s behavior on social media, calling it "bullying" and "racist microaggressive". Audra McDonald liked Lewis’ post, which led to Lupone’s scathing comments in The New Yorker interview.
Lupone’s Comments Spark Backlash
In the interview, Lupone referred to Lewis as a "bitch" and questioned her Broadway credentials. She also shaded McDonald’s performance in "Gypsy", a musical in which Lupone had previously starred. The open letter condemned Lupone’s language as "humiliating, hostile, and racist", and accused her of bullying and harassment.
Criticism of Lupone’s Comments on McDonald
The letter also criticized Lupone’s comments on McDonald, stating that it was a "personal attack" and a "public affront" to the values of cooperation, justice, and mutual respect that the theater community claims to uphold. The signatories argued that McDonald’s legacy and contributions to the art form should be respected and celebrated, rather than discredited by Lupone’s comments.
A Call to Action
The letter argued that the Broadway community has not done enough to condemn misconduct by powerful individuals in the industry, and compared it unfavorably to other industries. The signatories pointed out that in other fields, such as sports and entertainment, individuals who engage in misconduct are held accountable and face consequences. The Tony Awards, which will be broadcast on June 8th, have not responded to the open letter or commented on Lupone’s involvement in the show.
