Tony Award-winning actress Kecia Lewis criticized Patti LuPone, a Broadway star, for comments she found “offensive,” and also asked for an apology.
Lewis, 59, aired his grievances with the 75-year-old actress and singer in an open letter in an extended clip he posted to Instagram on Saturday.
Lewis said he found the comments LuPone made “racially microaggressive,” “rooted in privilege” and “bullying,” adding that LuPone should take a different tack to “promote a culture of respect, empathy and inclusion.”
Lewis said she was just speaking for herself in public criticizing LuPone for perceived slights.
“I speak only for Keisha Lewis,” said Lewis, who won the Tony Award for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical for Hell’s Kitchen earlier this year. ‘Not from the cast, crew or producers of Hell’s Kitchen.
Tony Award-winning actress Kecia Lewis, 59, criticized Broadway star Patti LuPone, 75, for comments she found “offensive,” and also asked for an apology.
LuPone contacted officials at the Shubert Theater on Broadway (where the show is playing), Lewis said, since he is currently performing in The Roommate at the Booth Theatre, a neighboring venue.
Lewis said Lupone complained to Shubert officials to modify several sound signals in Hell’s Kitchen that he considered “too loud.”
LuPone “sent flowers to our sound and stage management team thanking them” after the adjustments were made to his liking, according to Lewis.
Lewis also cited a clip of LuPone refusing to sign a Hell’s Kitchen Playbill, saying, “They’re too loud.”
Lewis said: “I wanted to address this because, Ms. LuPone, these actions, in my opinion, are bullying: they are offensive, they are racially microaggressive, they are rude, they are rooted in privilege and these actions are also missing a sense of community and leadership for someone like you who have been in business as long as you have.
Lewis said she defines microaggressions as “subtle, unintentional comments or actions that convey negative stereotypes, prejudices, or assumptions about someone based on their race.”
Lewis said that while microaggressions “may seem harmless or minor,” “they can accumulate and cause significant stress or discomfort to the recipient; examples include calling a black show out loud in a way that dismisses it.”
Lewis said the specific words LuPone used in his summary of the musical said it all: “In our industry, language has power and shapes perception, often in ways we may not immediately realize.
Lewis said she was just speaking for herself in public and criticizing LuPone for her concerns.
Lewis won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Hell’s Kitchen earlier this year. Photographed on June 16 in New York.
‘Referring to a predominantly black Broadway show as loud can unintentionally reinforce harmful stereotypes, and also comes across as disparaging the art and voices being celebrated on stage.
Lewis said comments like LuPone’s “can be seen as racial microaggressions, which have a real impact on both artists and audiences.”
“While gestures like sending flowers of thanks may seem polite, they were dismissive and out of touch, especially after a formal complaint you made that resulted in changes that impacted our entire production, primarily the people who have to go on stage and carry out.’
Lewis said LuPone should have approached the production of Hell’s Kitchen with a more collaborative approach, as “direct communication” would demonstrate “respect for the work being done and awareness of how actions resonate across various teams.”
Lewis said that in the absence of a collaborative approach, LuPone’s conduct in the midst of the situation could be seen as bullying.
“Harassment in a professional setting can include exerting influence to disrupt using one’s status or connections to cause unnecessary changes in another person’s work environment, such as requesting significant accommodations,” Lewis said. “Performative gestures are also bullying, and what I mean by this is that sending thank-you flowers after impacting the production can be perceived as disingenuous, particularly if it prevents meaningful dialogue or resolution.”
Lewis said she was not exempt from taking additional steps as an established Broadway performer to reduce toxicity.
“I’d like to offer a couple of thoughtful questions for veterans like you and myself included,” Lewis said. ‘How can I ensure that my comments or concerns are communicated in a constructive and also, most importantly, respectful way? How can I use my platform and experience to support diverse show teams that promote the idea that each production brings unique value to Broadway?
Lewis said the discussion could be something that would help ‘veterans like’ both of them, as well as reflect their influence within the Broadway community in a positive way and promote a culture of respect, empathy and inclusion.
LuPone photographed with Mia Farrow in September in New York at the opening of The Roomate
Lewis said the discussion could be something that would help ‘veterans like’ both of them, as well as reflect their influence within the Broadway community in a positive way and promote a culture of respect, empathy and inclusion.
Lewis said she, LuPone and other members of the Broadway community are “not just neighbors,” but rather “a community that shares each other’s art and challenges.”
“Respect and collaboration are what keep us thriving and inspire the next generation.”
Lewis concluded by saying: ‘Mrs. LuPone, I respectfully tell you that you owe us an apology, not flowers.
Reactions to Lewis’ posts were mixed, as she received supportive responses from fellow Broadway stars like Audra McDonald, who posted clapping hands and hearts emojis.
Mykal Kilgore said, “This is not a reading.” This is not shadow. This is not bad. This is how the community CAN work, learn and grow. We love everyone. The right thing is the right thing.’
Frenchie Davis said the sound crew’s “silence, coddling and compliance” toward LuPone’s request made them “equally culpable.”
Broadway costume supervisor Kelly Saxon said Lewis was “condescending” and that the central issue was the shows’ respective volumes.
Reactions to Lewis’ posts were mixed, as she received supportive responses from fellow Broadway stars like Audra McDonald, who posted clapping hands and hearts emojis.
Some people came to the defense of LuPone and The Roommate
“Maybe you should come see The Roommate,” Saxon said. ‘It is a quiet work for 2 people. The music from the theater next door has music so loud it interrupts our show. This has nothing to do with race. It has to do with volume!!’
She said in defense of LuPone: ‘As for signing a Hell’s Kitchen show. Why would she do it? She’s not in this. Are you signing The Roommate posters? Why would you do it? You’re not in this!’
Artist Bill Leach said no one was out of line in their actions in this situation.
“Ms. LuPone respectfully made a request regarding two beeps,” Leach said. ‘The production made the changes and she thanked them for it. Not everything is a microaggression.
‘How did these changes have a detrimental effect on your program?’
