If there’s one kind of feud that catches peoples’ eyes, it is a Broadway feud. Bear in mind when Laura Benanti slammedZachary Levi late final 12 months? (How might 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 business, language holds energy and shapes notion, usually in ways in which we might not instantly understand,” 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 can be being celebrated on stage….On Broadway, we’re not simply neighbors, Ms. LuPone, we’re a group that shares in one another’s artistry and challenges. Respect and collaboration are what preserve us thriving and encourage the following era.”
Patti’s response within the profile to Kecia’s (very affordable!) plea for decency was…not precisely charitable. “She calls herself a veteran? Let’s learn how many Broadway exhibits Kecia Lewis has performed, as a result of she doesn’t know what the fuck she’s speaking about,” she mentioned. “She’s performed seven. I’ve performed 31. Don’t name your self a vet, bitch!” (Because the profile factors out, Kecia Lewis really has 10 Broadway credit to her title. Patti really has 27.)
Issues solely obtained extra heated when Michael identified to Patti that Audra had responded supportively to Kecia’s IG publish. “Precisely,” she mentioned. “And I assumed, ‘You need to 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 actual kicker got here when Michael requested Patti about Audra’s latest efficiency in Gypsy, which gained her a eleventh Tony nomination — making her essentially 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 a good looking day.”
Jeez louise. One thing tells me we’ve not heard the final of this feud but, however who is aware of!
