Patti LuPone opens up about strained relationship with Audra McDonald amid Broadway controversy
The theater world isn’t all standing ovations and harmonious duets these days, as a recent Broadway controversy has come to light.
Broadway veteran and stage legend Patti LuPone has candidly addressed her complicated relationship with fellow luminary Audra McDonald, 54, during a recent interview, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes Broadway drama.
The veteran performer, 76, was forthright in her conversation with New Yorker journalist Michael Schulman, stating plainly that McDonald is “not a friend.” This revelation adds to the growing list of Broadway controversies that have been making headlines recently.
LuPone remained discreet about the specifics but indicated that their falling out stemmed from an incident that occurred some time ago, hinting at the complex relationships that often develop in the world of Broadway productions.
Patti LuPone Agatha All Along Premiere
Photo credit: Our Movie Guide, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
When prompted by Schulman to share her thoughts on McDonald’s current portrayal of Rose in the Broadway play “Gypsy,” the “And Just Like That…” star notably deflected, gazing out the window before remarking with pointed casualness, “What a beautiful day.” This response has fuelled speculation about the depth of their strained relationship, especially considering the significance of the role in Broadway history.
Representatives for McDonald have been contacted by The Post for comment on this unfolding Broadway drama.
Tony Award Rivals and Shared History
The role of Rose holds particular significance in Broadway history, as LuPone previously clinched a Tony Award for her interpretation in 2008. McDonald’s current performance in the musical has earned her a Tony nomination, making her the most decorated performer in Tony history with 11 nominations. This achievement cements both actresses’ status as true Broadway veterans.
McDonald’s trophy case includes six Tony Awards, while LuPone has garnered three throughout her illustrious career, showcasing the immense talent present in this Broadway controversy.
Despite their personal differences, the two Broadway powerhouses have shared the stage multiple times in various Broadway productions. Their collaborative history includes a memorable performance in the New York Philharmonic’s concert rendition of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in 2000, a production that has sparked debates about the Sweeney Todd movie vs musical adaptations.
The pair also joined forces for the LA Opera’s production of “Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny” in 2007, further demonstrating their professional versatility beyond Broadway plays.
The “Hell’s Kitchen” Controversy
During the profile interview, LuPone also addressed a separate controversy involving actress Kecia Lewis, following their social media clash last year. This incident revolved around the Hell’s Kitchen Broadway show and a noise complaint made by LuPone.
Lewis, 59, took to Instagram to criticize LuPone’s complaints about the musical “Hell’s Kitchen” being “too loud.” In her post, Lewis stated, “These actions, in my opinion, are bullying. They’re offensive, they are racially microaggressive, they’re rude, they’re rooted in privilege. And these actions also lack a sense of community and leadership for someone as yourself, who has been in the business as long as you have.”
Lewis concluded with a call to action, saying, “Let’s continue fostering an environment on Broadway that recognizes and values all shows for their unique contributions and energy, and that celebrates the diversity of voices and sounds and stories that we all bring to the stage. Ms. LuPone, I respectfully submit to you that you owe us an apology — not flowers. Thank you for listening.”
For context, LuPone was performing in “The Roommate” alongside Mia Farrow at the time, and their theater shared a wall with “Hell’s Kitchen.” She maintained that the show’s sound cues were disruptively loud, leading to her noise complaint.
“She claims to be a veteran? Let’s examine Kecia Lewis’s Broadway credentials, as she clearly doesn’t understand what she’s talking about,” LuPone remarked regarding Lewis’s video. “She’s appeared in seven shows. I’ve performed in thirty-one. Don’t label yourself a veteran, dear.”
When Schulman informed the “American Horror Story” star that McDonald had responded to Lewis’s post with supportive emojis – two hearts and two clapping hands, LuPone’s response added fuel to the Broadway drama.
“Of course,” LuPone responded dismissively. “And I thought to myself, ‘You ought to know better.’ That’s so characteristic of Audra.”
LuPone’s Personal Life: The Kevin Kline Years
In another segment of the interview, the Broadway legend discussed her “challenging” intermittent seven-year relationship with former flame Kevin Kline, providing a glimpse into the personal lives that exist behind the curtain of Broadway productions.
Their romance began in the 1970s, though LuPone admitted to the New Yorker, “My initial reaction to him was quite negative.”
“His appearance reminded me of Pinocchio,” she recalled. “He was tall with thin legs, and I didn’t immediately recognize his attractiveness.”
However, things soon evolved as LuPone and Kline, 77, found themselves “becoming intimate” during an art appreciation course.
In her words, “He was quite the charmer.”
During their relationship, the pair co-starred in the 1975 Broadway production of “The Robber Bridegroom,” adding another chapter to their shared Broadway history.
“The relationship was emotionally taxing,” LuPone elaborated. “I was his girlfriend when it suited him, but he would end things whenever someone else caught his attention. For reasons I can’t explain, I endured it – until I simply couldn’t anymore.”
Kline later married actress Phoebe Cates in 1989, and they became parents to two children, Owen and Greta.
LuPone’s own path led her to marriage with Matthew Johnston in 1988, followed shortly by the birth of their son, Joshua Luke Johnston.
Career Reflections and Future Plans
Now in 2024, decades into her illustrious career, the theatre icon spoke openly about her natural affinity for performance, reflecting on her journey as a stage legend.
“This is simply how I was created, further evidence that I was destined for the stage,” she shared with the Grand Tourist. “I was born to pursue this craft. My vocal style developed somewhat accidentally, to be honest. Growing up, I would sing along with Dionne Warwick in her keys, not knowing my own. I had no concept of my natural range. I also sang along to rock musicians of my era. That was my musical foundation because it was just beginning then.”
Looking ahead to her upcoming role in Season 3 of “And Just Like That…,” LuPone contemplated the direction she hoped her career would take next, adding to her impressive list of Patti LuPone movies and TV shows.
During the conversation, the stage veteran, who characterized herself as “funny, curious, and a tourist,” expressed her desire to conclude her career in television or film, deeming it “less demanding” than the rigorous world of Broadway plays.
As for Audra McDonald, her career continues to flourish both on stage and screen. With an impressive array of Audra McDonald movies and TV shows to her name, she remains a formidable presence in the entertainment industry, despite the current Broadway controversy.
While the tension between these two Broadway icons continues to make waves, it’s clear that their contributions to Broadway history are undeniable. As the theater world evolves, with new elements like TikTok backstage videos offering unprecedented access to performers, the drama both on and off the stage continues to captivate audiences and industry insiders alike.
Source:
Alexandra Bellusci (May 26, 2025). Patti LuPone reveals Audra McDonald is ‘not a friend’ following Broadway stars’ feud. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/05/26/entertainment/patti-lupone-reveals-audra-mcdonald-is-not-a-friend-following-broadway-stars-feud/
Header Photo: Audra McDonald performs during a Juneteenth concert at the White House.
Photo credit: Office of the President, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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