Patti LuPone Draws Criticism in Open Letter from Broadway Colleagues

Patti LuPone Faces Backlash in Broadway World

In May 2025, Patti LuPone came under fire from the Broadway community. The criticism began after a May 26 interview, during which she made harsh comments about fellow performers Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald.

Things got worse when over 500 Broadway artists signed an open letter on May 30, criticizing her behavior. LuPone then posted a public apology on May 31. Her words in the interview sparked a wave of anger and opened up serious conversations across Broadway.

Hurtful Remarks Aimed at Kecia Lewis

In the same interview, LuPone called Kecia Lewis, a Black actress with 40 years of experience, a “b****.” She also mocked Lewis’s veteran status, comparing her own 31 Broadway roles to Lewis’s seven.

These comments were highlighted in the open letter as rude, insulting, and racially insensitive. Many felt that LuPone’s words hurt not just Lewis but also set a bad example in the industry. Her language was labeled degrading and harmful by the theater community.

Kecia Lewis’s Past Complaint Against LuPone

Before this, in November 2024, Kecia Lewis posted a video accusing LuPone of bullying and racially insensitive behavior. Lewis claimed LuPone complained to the Shubert Organization about the volume in the musical Hell’s Kitchen, where Lewis performed.

As a result, the show’s sound levels were changed. Lewis said this was not only rude but also showed LuPone’s sense of privilege. This earlier accusation gained more attention once the 2025 interview was published.

Artists Call Out LuPone’s Behavior

The open letter clearly said that LuPone’s words showed bullying, harassment, and racial disrespect. The writers pointed out that this kind of behavior happens too often in the industry and usually goes unpunished.

The letter explained that famous people sometimes use their power to act badly without facing the consequences. The letter demanded that Broadway stop ignoring this behavior and start standing up for performers who experience unfair treatment on stage and behind the scenes.

Letter Demands Real Consequences

The open letter, dated May 30, 2025, was addressed to two major Broadway organizations: the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League.

The writers asked them to take action against LuPone and anyone else acting in harmful ways. The letter was signed by many performers, including Tony winners Wendell Pierce and James Monroe Iglehart. They also said that people like LuPone should not be allowed to attend major industry events like the Tony Awards.

LuPone Shares Her Apology Online

On May 31, 2025, Patti LuPone posted an apology on Instagram. She started by saying, “For as long as I’ve worked in theater, I’ve spoken my mind and never apologized. That changes today.”

She said she was truly sorry for what she said about Kecia Lewis. LuPone admitted her words were demeaning and disrespectful. At this moment, LuPone took full responsibility, saying she realized how badly her interview comments had affected others.

LuPone Regrets Her Interview Responses

LuPone said her interview answers were “flippant and emotional.” She admitted they were wrong and offensive. In her apology, she said those kinds of remarks go against everything the theater world is supposed to stand for.

She reminded her followers that theater is about respect and support, and she had failed to show those values. LuPone said she understood now how her actions had hurt people and the theater community as a whole.

LuPone Wants to Apologize in Person

LuPone said she wants to apologize directly to both Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis. She stated, “I wholeheartedly agree with everything written in the open letter shared yesterday.”

She explained that the theater should be a welcoming space for everyone. LuPone admitted she made a mistake and promised to take full responsibility. Her apology included a promise to do better and help create a more respectful environment for artists of all backgrounds and experiences.

Audra McDonald Reacts to LuPone’s Statement

LuPone said in her interview that Audra McDonald was “not a friend,” suggesting they had problems. McDonald, who has won six Tony Awards, responded during an interview on CBS Mornings.

She said she hadn’t seen LuPone in 11 years and didn’t know of any disagreement. McDonald had supported Kecia Lewis’s video last year, which LuPone mentioned in the interview. McDonald appeared shocked by LuPone’s comments and said she had no idea what caused the rift.

LuPone Grabbed Audience Member’s Phone in 2015

This isn’t the first time LuPone made headlines for her strong actions. In July 2015, during a show called Shows for Days at Lincoln Center, she grabbed a phone from someone in the audience who was texting.

Afterward, LuPone said texting ruins the performance for actors and other audience members. She explained that such behavior distracts everyone and shows a lack of respect for the work being done on stage.

LuPone Enforced Mask Rule in 2022

In May 2022, LuPone called out an audience member during a Q&A after a performance of Company. She told them, “Put your mask over your nose… If you don’t want to follow the rule, get the f*** out!”

LuPone had just recovered from COVID-19 and was serious about mask safety. This moment showed how strict she was about keeping people safe and following theater rules. It also added to her reputation for being very direct.

LuPone’s Three Tony Award Wins

Patti LuPone has won three Tony Awards during her Broadway career. She earned Best Actress in a Musical for Evita in 1980 and again for Gypsy in 2008.

Her third win came in 2022, when she won Best Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Joanne in the Broadway revival of Company. These awards show LuPone’s long history of strong performances and her place in American musical theater.

LuPone’s Other Major Awards

Along with her Tony wins, LuPone has earned other major honors. She won two Grammy Awards for the 2008 recording of Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny with the Los Angeles Opera.

She also won two Olivier Awards in London, one in 1985 for Les Misérables and The Cradle Will Rock, and another in 2022 for Company. These awards prove LuPone’s talent has been praised on both sides of the Atlantic.

LuPone’s Long Broadway Journey

LuPone’s first Broadway show was Three Sisters in 1973. Since then, she’s been a lead actress in hit musicals like Anything Goes, Sweeney Todd, and War Paint. Her stage career has lasted more than 50 years.

Through all these roles, she has helped shape Broadway history. Her presence in so many major productions shows just how much she’s influenced theater and why so many performers once looked up to her.

Events like Dolly’s 2025, ‘orchestra threads & Broadway musical’ show how music and costumes work together to make Broadway shows special.

Broadway Groups Push for New Conduct Rules

The open letter is now leading to big changes. The American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League are talking about updating their rules of conduct for performers. These groups want to make sure that bullying or racist behavior is handled properly.

The LuPone controversy is making Broadway rethink how it treats performers. Clearer policies and stronger consequences are being discussed to create a safer and more respectful space for everyone working in the theater.

In the world of theater, especially when we think about the most iconic Broadway musicals of all time, there is a long history of stories and performances.

What do you think about accountability in the theater world? Drop your thoughts below!

Read More From This Brand:

• Dolly Parton’s “Dolly: An Original Musical”
• Eric Church’s Musical Journey (Explored)
• Wayne Osmond: A Musical Legacy

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.