Patti LuPone Opens Up About Rift with Audra McDonald Amid Broadway Drama

Patti LuPone did not hold back when discussing her relationship with fellow Broadway legend Audra McDonald. In a revealing New Yorker profile published on May 26, LuPone made it clear that the two are no longer friends. The Broadway icon, known for her bold opinions, told interviewer Michael Schulman simply, “Audra McDonald is not a friend.”

What Led to the Fallout Between LuPone and McDonald?

Though LuPone didn’t dive into the details of their falling out, she described it as a rift that happened long ago. When asked about McDonald’s current portrayal of Rose in Gypsy—a role LuPone famously played in 2008—she fell silent for a full 15 seconds before turning to the window and sighing, “What a beautiful day.” The subtle response left many wondering about the underlying tension.

Audra McDonald recently earned her 11th Tony nomination for Gypsy, breaking records as the most nominated performer ever. She has won six Tonys in total, while LuPone holds three. Their accomplishments have often placed them side by side in the Broadway spotlight, yet this public rift highlights the complicated dynamics among theater royalty.

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Past Collaborations Show Their Shared History

The two have a rich professional history, having performed together in concerts, galas, and operas. Notably, they starred opposite each other in the 2007 LA Opera production of Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and the 2000 New York Philharmonic’s concert version of Sweeney Todd, where LuPone played Mrs. Lovett and McDonald the Beggar Woman. Despite their past collaborations, personal tensions appear to have strained their relationship.

LuPone’s Feisty Take on Broadway Conflicts

The New Yorker interview also touched on LuPone’s heated exchange last year with Broadway actress Kecia Lewis. Lewis criticized LuPone’s comments calling the Alicia Keys musical “too loud,” calling them offensive and racially microaggressive. LuPone fired back sharply, questioning Lewis’s Broadway credentials and veteran status, saying, “She’s done seven. I’ve done 31. Don’t call yourself a vet, bitch!”

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When asked about McDonald’s supportive emojis to Lewis’s Instagram post, LuPone’s response was blunt: “Exactly. And I thought, ‘You should know better.’ That’s typical of Audra.”

What Does This Mean for Broadway Fans?

The bluntness and raw honesty from Patti LuPone offer a rare glimpse behind the curtain of Broadway’s intense personalities and rivalries. While their artistic achievements are celebrated, personal conflicts sometimes play out publicly, reminding fans that even legends have complicated relationships.

Despite the tensions, both LuPone and McDonald continue to shine on stage and screen, contributing immensely to theater’s rich legacy.

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