Pitch perfect distillation. I’m of two minds now: Audra should either not respond to Patti / the interview (which was fantastically written) at all, and if she wins another Tony, then she has permission to allude to it during her acceptance speech.
I agree here! This feud feels one sided anyways. And, to me, it’s kind of giving a little jealousy. If I had to speculate, I think Patti’s a little jealous about Audra’s trajectory. I mean, the fact that she couldn’t say anything about Audra’s Gypsy/tony nominations and completely acted as if nothing happened speaks a lot…
I’ve been a theatre whore my entire life. I also love “petty” and camp. NOTHING about this is funny to me or any of the folks I know who aren’t white gay men. Kecia NEVER called Patti racist. She said it was a racist microaggression (which isn’t the same thing) and I’d bet money that the author here and majority of you still defending this behavior know it. She used her *privilege* to demand another show be limited based on her own need/desire. Pretending that SOME of that privilege doesn’t come from her also being white is disingenuous at best. Also this is appalling: There’s a way to call out Patti but not like that” 😒. So a Black woman must call f’up behavior in the way that this writer would do it or it’s a “problem”? Wow! If we can’t be honest about our OWN bias, criticizing an “other”’s response to bias is also f’d up. KECIA has experienced Bway, Patti has been horrible to those “beneath” her and that letter called out her hypocrisy and character. It was right on. It’s fine to continue to be a fan; pretending that her behavior has ever been ok, or funny esp when she MEANS to demean, is why she keeps getting away with it. If she weren’t so incredibly insecure about her gift, she would behave with more humanity. I don’t believe she’s racist, either, but she has done some racist shit, classist shit, misogynist shit and deserves the tiny bit of backlash (NO ONE believes she’s getting disinvited anywhere 🙄).
Patti is an equal opportunity bitch! She never singled out Kelcia, until Kelcia accused Patti of racism. Patti responded with "b... don't come for me, if I didn't called for you..." attitude. Anyone! I mean...an black, white, or purple could expect 100% backlash form Patti after calling her racist. Kelcia went for it! You called the devil...don't be surprised when it shows. Kelcia inserted herself in the story, even though Patti wasn't talking about her. Just because the production has a majority black cast, doesn't mean that Patti is a racist when she asked for the volume to be lower. The music was loud! That was a fact. But this is why productions have management. Patti didn't have to ask, there were people there for that...and Kelcia didn't have to respond....or could solve the noise pollution problem... either. These ladies were just actresses in those shows...I'm sure there were management people between the two shows who could have addressed the situation without ever coming to the press. In that way...yes! I do believe Kelcia didn't have a veteran move by going on Instagram...but she is still queen, who made a wrong move. So did Patti...everything was wrong! But Patti can't be called race for this.
I remember Audra McDonald saying on Twitter that while she was in Masterclass with Zoe Caldwell, a “Broadway legend” came backstage and pointedly ignored her (Audra) to the point where Zoe noticed it. I was so afraid it was someone lovely like Angela Lansbury, but then Audra posted something lovely when Angela died. My money is on Patti.
Patti and Audra used to be friends, long after Master Class (which they were both in on Broadway, although not at the same time). As recently as 2011, they performed the Judy/Barbra "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" duet at a Drama League benefit honoring Patti.
I think the Patti / Audra rift is all Patti. She's pissed that Audra "liked" Kecia's video post where Kecia suggested Patti was a racist for calling the landlord on Hell's Kirchen for making too much noise. We bang on the ceiling with a broom handle. I'm picking up the "friend - hard d" as another internet reference in that world of friends, follows and likes. How could someone who "friends" Patti also give a thumbs up emoji to a post that calls her racist? The shade on Audra's Gypsy is more about Patti's unwarranted ownership of the role that she believes is backed up by the general "meh" reception that the production received. In that case she held to the "if you don't have anything nice to say..." rule. I bet she wished she did more of that for the rest of the article. Last question could the journalist have gotten her drunk? Lots of talk of sherry.
Kecia Lewis took a private issue with Patti public and made it about race. I think Patti has the right to call her a bitch back and shit on her credits. Be petty and catty! As for the Gypsy production, it is bad and Audra isn't even singing it in the right key. Also who doesn't love a good feud?! Let two divas fight!
Pitch perfect distillation. I’m of two minds now: Audra should either not respond to Patti / the interview (which was fantastically written) at all, and if she wins another Tony, then she has permission to allude to it during her acceptance speech.
Audra winning and saying “what a beautiful day” would send meeeeee
I agree here! This feud feels one sided anyways. And, to me, it’s kind of giving a little jealousy. If I had to speculate, I think Patti’s a little jealous about Audra’s trajectory. I mean, the fact that she couldn’t say anything about Audra’s Gypsy/tony nominations and completely acted as if nothing happened speaks a lot…
the calling ghostface racist line is the funniest and most perfect take on this whole mess.
This is the article we should all be sharing. Nuance!! Also, the New Yorker writer knew exactly what he was doing with those questions.
Appreciate you unpacking all this. Context really matters with that ‘beautiful day’ quote!
omg finally an accurate, thoughtfully smart and a pitch-perfect take! yes!!!
This column is gold and I want to know how to submit my pop question!
frank@iramadison.com!
Finally the expert coverage on this that I’ve been looking for.
I’ve been a theatre whore my entire life. I also love “petty” and camp. NOTHING about this is funny to me or any of the folks I know who aren’t white gay men. Kecia NEVER called Patti racist. She said it was a racist microaggression (which isn’t the same thing) and I’d bet money that the author here and majority of you still defending this behavior know it. She used her *privilege* to demand another show be limited based on her own need/desire. Pretending that SOME of that privilege doesn’t come from her also being white is disingenuous at best. Also this is appalling: There’s a way to call out Patti but not like that” 😒. So a Black woman must call f’up behavior in the way that this writer would do it or it’s a “problem”? Wow! If we can’t be honest about our OWN bias, criticizing an “other”’s response to bias is also f’d up. KECIA has experienced Bway, Patti has been horrible to those “beneath” her and that letter called out her hypocrisy and character. It was right on. It’s fine to continue to be a fan; pretending that her behavior has ever been ok, or funny esp when she MEANS to demean, is why she keeps getting away with it. If she weren’t so incredibly insecure about her gift, she would behave with more humanity. I don’t believe she’s racist, either, but she has done some racist shit, classist shit, misogynist shit and deserves the tiny bit of backlash (NO ONE believes she’s getting disinvited anywhere 🙄).
Patti is an equal opportunity bitch! She never singled out Kelcia, until Kelcia accused Patti of racism. Patti responded with "b... don't come for me, if I didn't called for you..." attitude. Anyone! I mean...an black, white, or purple could expect 100% backlash form Patti after calling her racist. Kelcia went for it! You called the devil...don't be surprised when it shows. Kelcia inserted herself in the story, even though Patti wasn't talking about her. Just because the production has a majority black cast, doesn't mean that Patti is a racist when she asked for the volume to be lower. The music was loud! That was a fact. But this is why productions have management. Patti didn't have to ask, there were people there for that...and Kelcia didn't have to respond....or could solve the noise pollution problem... either. These ladies were just actresses in those shows...I'm sure there were management people between the two shows who could have addressed the situation without ever coming to the press. In that way...yes! I do believe Kelcia didn't have a veteran move by going on Instagram...but she is still queen, who made a wrong move. So did Patti...everything was wrong! But Patti can't be called race for this.
I remember Audra McDonald saying on Twitter that while she was in Masterclass with Zoe Caldwell, a “Broadway legend” came backstage and pointedly ignored her (Audra) to the point where Zoe noticed it. I was so afraid it was someone lovely like Angela Lansbury, but then Audra posted something lovely when Angela died. My money is on Patti.
Patti and Audra used to be friends, long after Master Class (which they were both in on Broadway, although not at the same time). As recently as 2011, they performed the Judy/Barbra "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" duet at a Drama League benefit honoring Patti.
Good to know! Thanks.
I think the Patti / Audra rift is all Patti. She's pissed that Audra "liked" Kecia's video post where Kecia suggested Patti was a racist for calling the landlord on Hell's Kirchen for making too much noise. We bang on the ceiling with a broom handle. I'm picking up the "friend - hard d" as another internet reference in that world of friends, follows and likes. How could someone who "friends" Patti also give a thumbs up emoji to a post that calls her racist? The shade on Audra's Gypsy is more about Patti's unwarranted ownership of the role that she believes is backed up by the general "meh" reception that the production received. In that case she held to the "if you don't have anything nice to say..." rule. I bet she wished she did more of that for the rest of the article. Last question could the journalist have gotten her drunk? Lots of talk of sherry.
Ok, I won’t cancel Patti now. Loved her in the Company revival.
I think this whole thing was a psyop to keep Nicole Scherzinger from winning a well-deserved Tony. Robin Antin is behind this.
I enjoy your mind. Thanks for sharing it with us? Are we worthy?
The Monique quote is so appropriate here. 🤣🤣🤣
Kecia Lewis took a private issue with Patti public and made it about race. I think Patti has the right to call her a bitch back and shit on her credits. Be petty and catty! As for the Gypsy production, it is bad and Audra isn't even singing it in the right key. Also who doesn't love a good feud?! Let two divas fight!
I mean, Patti made it public by refusing to sign a playbill and complaining about how loud the show was…
a playbill.... for not her show? Like why would you even ask Patti to sign a Hell's Kitchen playbill.
I mean, Patti made it public by refusing to sign a playbill and complaining about how loud the show was…