Broadway’s Patti LuPone just stirred the pot again, and this time it’s loud, bold, and downright juicy. The Tony-winning diva made waves after calling out a fellow show for being, wait for it… too loud. Yep, she wasn’t shy about letting her volume beef be known.
Here’s the tea: while starring in The Roommate at the Booth Theatre, LuPone flagged the sound levels coming from the neighboring Hell’s Kitchen show — where Kecia Lewis is the star. She asked the sound crew to dial it down, and sure enough, changes were made.
LuPone even sent flowers to thank them (polite, right?). But Kecia Lewis wasn’t having it. She hit back, calling LuPone’s move “bullying” and “racially microaggressive,” especially since Hell’s Kitchen is a predominantly Black production. According to People, Lewis accused LuPone of leaning into harmful stereotypes with her “too loud” complaint.
Things didn’t stop there. LuPone reportedly refused to sign a Hell’s Kitchen playbill, citing the volume as her reason. Drama alert! Lewis fired back, saying this was dismissive of the artistry on stage — and nobody likes being told their show is just noise.
To add fuel to the fire, Patti called out Broadway queen Audra McDonald after McDonald sided with Lewis on social media. LuPone reportedly said McDonald is “not a friend anymore” — throwing shade and confirming that this feud is far from over. People broke the story on this messy backstage showdown.
If you thought LuPone was all charm and grace, think again. The Broadway legend has a reputation for speaking her mind — and not always in the friendliest way. Remember when she scolded a mask-skeptic in the audience during Company? Yeah, Patti keeps it real and sometimes a bit rough around the edges.
So, what now? No apologies from LuPone yet, but Broadway insiders and fans alike are buzzing about respect and inclusivity in the theater world. One thing’s for sure: this Broadway battle is no quiet act.