Kecia Lewis Requests Apology From Patti LuPone For “Bullying” And “Racially Microaggressive” Comments Calling ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ “Too Loud”

deadline.com:

Kecia Lewis requested an apology from Broadway icon Patti LuPone for saying the production Hell’s Kitchen was “too loud” — a remark the Tony-winning performer characterized as “bullying” and “racially microaggressive.” In a five-minute-long video open letter, Lewis — who won a Tony this year for her performance in the jukebox musical based on Alicia Keys’ work and upbringing — noted that the request comes solely from her, not the cast, crew or producers of the show.

The actress, who will soon appear in Crutch, said LuPone contacted the theater owner about changing the show’s sound cues “because you found them to be too loud.” Lewis said that after the sound design was adjusted, LuPone sent flowers to the sound and stage management team as a thank you, showing a picture of the note and arrangement.

In another instance, Lewis played a clip of LuPone not signing a fan’s Playbill of Hell’s Kitchen, stating “they’re too loud” as reasoning for not giving an autograph — an action she deemed dismissive. (Hell’s Kitchen and LuPone’s The Roommate are neighboring productions on Broadway.) “I wanted to address this because, Ms.

LuPone, these actions, in my opinion, are bullying,” Lewis said, “they’re offensive, they’re 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 defined microaggressions — coined in 1970 by Harvard University psychiatrist Chester M.