Break a leg.
Over 500 Broadway artists Signed an open letter slam patti lupone on His recent comments against Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis.
The letter, which was written on behalf of the Broadway theater community on Friday May 30, reprimanded Lupone, 76 The New Yorker Posted on Monday.
“Recently, Patti Lupone made deeply inappropriate and unacceptable public comments on two of the most respected and appreciated artists in Broadway,” read the letter, which was addressed to the American Theater Wing and the Broadway League.
“This language is not only degrading and misogynist – it is a blatant act of racialized lack of respect,” continued the letter. “It constitutes intimidation. It constitutes harassment. It is emblematic of micro-aggressions and abuses that people in this industry have endured for too long, too often without consequences. ”
Some high -level stars that have signed the open letter include the winners of Tony Maleah Joi Moon (“Hell’s Kitchen”), James Monroe Igglehart (“Aladdin”) and Wendell Pierce (“Radio Golf”).
The more than 500 signatories described Lupone’s remarks as a “public affront to the values of collaboration, equity and mutual respect that our theatrical community claims to support”.
“Let’s be clear: this is more than one person,” continued the letter. “This is a culture. A model. A persistent failure to hold people responsible for violent, disrespectful or harmful behavior – especially when they are powerful or well known. ”
“These are not different opinions,” continued the letter. “These are public actions that lower, intimidate or perpetuate violence against other artists. This is the normalization of damage in an industry that too often protects prestige on people. ”
Rifle Was the first to share the document on Friday, and the letter added that the Broadway community cannot “continue to welcome those who hurt others simply because of their fame or their perceived value”.
He also demanded the end of the type of behavior that Lupone presented earlier this week.
“We will no longer tolerate violence – verbal, emotional or physical – against artists from our own community,” said the letter. “More free pass. If our industry is really attached to equity, justice and respect, these values must be applied in a coherent way, even when it is uncomfortable.”
“Especially when it is uncomfortable,” continued the missive. “No artist, producer, director or leader – unrelated to inheritance or celebrity – should be allowed to arm their platform to minimize, threaten or devalue others without consequences. Period.”
The message contacted the representatives of Lupone to comment.
The actress “Beau is fear” first made the headlines When she struck McDonald and Lewis During his scathing sit with the New Yorker.
While the actress “Agatha all along” said that McDonald, 54, was “not a friend”, Later, she called Lewis, 59, a “slut” who “does not know what the F – K she is talking about”.
“Oh, my God,” said Lupone about the actress of “Hell’s Kitchen”. “”Here is the problem. Does she call herself as a veteran? Let’s find out how many Broadway Kecia Lewis shows did because she doesn’t know what she is talking about. »»
“She did seven,” added Lupone. “I did thirty -one. Don’t call yourself a veterinarian, slut. “
Lupone has also targeted Glenn Close, 78 I wanted to call him a “slut” After closed, replaced her during the Broadway starts of “Sunset boulevard”.
McDonald later approached the vicious remarks of Lupone In an interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings” on Thursday.
The star of “Gilded Age” said that she was “surprised” by the comments of her Broadway colleague and did not know what she is talking about. “
“I mean, if there is a flaw between us, I don’t know what it is,” said McDonald. “This is something you should ask for Patti.”
“I haven’t seen her for about 11 years because I was busy with life and all that,” she added. “So, I don’t know what Rift she is talking about. You should ask her.”
