Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone Spotlight Broadway Rift Over Gypsy Roles

Broadway stars Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald are at the center of a publicized rift following LuPone's comments that McDonald is “not a friend anymore,” which she shared in a New Yorker interview. The tension reportedly arose after McDonald reacted supportively to a video by fellow Broadway star Kecia Lewis, who accused LuPone of bullying and being racially microaggressive regarding complaints about sound levels at a neighboring musical. In a CBS interview, McDonald expressed surprise at the rift, stating she hadn't seen LuPone in over a decade and was unaware of any conflict. Rosie O'Donnell publicly praised McDonald's measured response to LuPone's remarks. The dispute highlights underlying tensions within the Broadway community and involves issues of race and professional rivalry, especially given both actresses' strong ties to the musical "Gypsy." While LuPone has remained mostly silent on the matter, her earlier reaction to McDonald's performance in "Gypsy" was notably dismissive, deepening the narrative of their strained relationship.