Patti Lupone On Audra McDonald Feud

If there’s one sort of feud that catches peoples’ eyes, it is a Broadway feud. Keep in mind when Laura Benanti slammed Zachary Levi late final 12 months? (How may you not?)

The barbs began flying after interviewer Michael Schulman requested Patti about her battle with Hell’s Kitchen star Kecia Lewis. Final 12 months, Kecia shared an “open letter” to Patti on IG accusing her of being “racially microaggressive” in a number of situations which Patti complained concerning the quantity of Hell’s Kitchen performances throughout her efficiency in The Roommate, which shared a wall with the Hell’s Kitchen theater.

“In our trade, language holds energy and shapes notion, typically in ways in which we could not instantly notice,” Kecia mentioned. “Referring to a predominantly Black Broadway present as ‘loud’ can unintentionally reinforce dangerous stereotypes, and it additionally feels dismissive of the artistry and the voices which might be being celebrated on stage….On Broadway, we aren’t simply neighbors, Ms. LuPone, we’re a group that shares in one another’s artistry and challenges. Respect and collaboration are what maintain us thriving and encourage the following era.”

Patti’s response within the profile to Kecia’s (very cheap!) plea for decency was…not precisely charitable. “She calls herself a veteran? Let’s learn how many Broadway exhibits Kecia Lewis has executed, as a result of she doesn’t know what the fuck she’s speaking about,” she mentioned. “She’s executed seven. I’ve executed 31. Don’t name your self a vet, bitch!” (Because the profile factors out, Kecia Lewis truly has 10 Broadway credit to her identify. Patti truly has 27.)

Issues solely bought extra heated when Michael identified to Patti that Audra had responded supportively to Kecia’s IG publish. “Precisely,” she mentioned. “And I believed, ‘You must know higher.’ That’s typical of Audra.”

Patti went on to say that Audra is “not a buddy,” and claimed that the battle between the 2 goes again a bit. However the true kicker got here when Michael requested Patti about Audra’s latest efficiency in Gypsy, which gained her a eleventh Tony nomination — making her probably the most nominated performer within the awards’ historical past.

When requested concerning the efficiency, Patti reportedly stared in silence for 15 seconds earlier than turning to a close-by window and sighing, “What an attractive day.”