Patti Lupone has publicly apologized to his colleagues Broadway actors Kecia Lewis And Audra McDonald For comments she made in a recent New York Article, writing in an Instagram article: “While I work in the theater, I said my mind and I have never apologized. It changes today. “
“I’m deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker Interview, in particular on Kecia Lewis, who was degrading and disrespectful, “writes Lupone on his comments which included the reference to Lewis as” slut “.
“I regret my casual and emotional answers during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior offended the others and took against what we are dear in this community. I hope I have the chance to speak personally to Audra and Kecia to offer my sincere apologies. ”
Read the entire Lupone Declaration below.
Lupone’s comments in a New York The magazine profile caused considerable outrage in the theater community. Yesterday, a group called Theater for Change published an open letter on social networks and sent to press organizations calling the Broadway League, the American Theater Wing and “The Greater Theater Community” to demand “responsibility, justice and respect” in light of Lupone’s remarks. The letter was signed by more than 500 theater employees, including the winning actors of Tony Wendell Pierce, Maleah Joi Moon and James Monroe Iglehart.
“Recently, Patti Lupone made deeply inappropriate and unacceptable public comments on two of the most respected and appreciated artists in Broadway: Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald,” said the letter. “In an interview published with The New Yorker, she referred to Kecia Lewis – a black woman and a 40 -year -old veteran from the American scene – like a” B *** “. This language is not only degrading and misogynist – it is a blatant act of racialized lack of respect.
Lupone’s comments to The New Yorker arising from an incident last fall when she and Mia Farrow played in The roommate At the Broadway’s Booth Theater. The stand leads the Shubert Theater, where the musical of Alicia Keys Hell’s Kitchen plays. Lupone complained to the Shubert organization about the Fort Hell’s Kitchen Music that could be heard through a shared wall during his room.
Lewis, a Tony star Hell’s Kitchen, Took on Instagram to characterize Lupone’s complaints as “intimidation” and “racially micro-aggressive”.
Asked about the incident by the New York The writer, Lupone responded with a comment that lowered Lewis’s career. She also talked about McDonald, who responded to Lewis’ Instagram video with heart and hand emojis; Lupone said in the article: “It’s typical of Audra. She is not a friend.”
The apologies of Lupone can be read in measure:
“While I worked in the theater.
“I’m deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker Interview, in particular on Kecia Lewis, who was degrading and disrespectful. I regret my casual and emotional answers during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior offended others and was contrary to what we are dear to this community. I hope I have the chance to speak personally to Audra and Kecia to offer my sincere apologies.
“I fully agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From theater clubs to the college at the professional stages, the theater has always been to get up and welcome those who feel either.
