Entertainment

Kecia Lewis Requests Apology from Patti LuPone for Hell’s Kitchen Comments

Published

1 week ago

November 4, 2024

Hell’s Kitchen star Kecia Lewis requested an apology from Patti LuPone on Saturday, after the Broadway legend referred to as the present “too loud” and requested adjustments to the its sound cues.

In a five-minute video posted to social media, Lewis referred to as LuPone’s actions “offensive,” “racially microaggresive,” “impolite,” and “rooted in privilege.”

Lewis specified that her message “is from me, not from the forged or crew or producers of Hell’s Kitchen. I’m talking for Keisha Lewis solely.” She recounted a number of interactions between LuPone and the present — for which Lewis gained a Tony this yr — during which LuPone contacted the Hell’s Kitchen theater proprietor about altering a number of sound cues as a result of “you discovered them to be too loud.”

LuPone’s play, The Roommate, is at the moment enjoying on the Shubert Theatre, which shares a wall with the Sales space Theatre, which homes Hell’s Kitchen.

“After our sound design was adjusted, [you] despatched flowers to our sound and stage administration staff thanking them,” Lewis added. She additionally performed a clip of LuPone telling a fan she wouldn’t signal a Hell’s Kitchen playbill, as a result of the present is “too loud.”

“I wish to clarify what a microaggression is,” Lewis mentioned. “These are delicate, unintentional feedback or actions that convey stereotypes, biases or adverse assumptions about somebody based mostly on their race. Microaggressions can appear innocent or minor, however can accumulate and trigger vital stress or discomfort for the recipient. Examples embrace calling a Black present loud in a approach that dismisses it.”

She continued, “In our business, language holds energy and shapes notion, usually in ways in which we might not instantly understand. Referring to a predominantly Black Broadway present as loud can unintentionally reinforce dangerous stereotypes, and it additionally feels dismissive of the artistry and the voices which are being celebrated on stage. Feedback like these may be seen as racial microaggressions, which have an actual affect on each artists and audiences. Whereas gestures like sending thanks flowers might seem courteous, it was dismissive and out of contact, particularly following a proper criticism that you just made that resulted within the adjustments that impacted our whole manufacturing, primarily the individuals who must exit on stage and carry out.”

She went on to request collaboration between the 2 reveals, which might imply “direct communication, respect for the work being performed, and consciousness of how actions resonate throughout numerous groups.”

With out the collaboration, Lewis mentioned she considers LuPone’s actions bullying, and that “bullying in an expert setting can embrace exerting affect to disrupt utilizing one’s standing or connections to trigger pointless adjustments to another person’s work surroundings, reminiscent of requesting sound changes.”

She defined that “performative gestures are additionally bullying, and what I imply by that’s by sending thanks flowers after impacting the manufacturing may be perceived as disingenuous, notably if it sidesteps significant dialog or decision.”

“I’d like to supply a few considerate questions for veterans reminiscent of your self and together with myself,” Lewis concluded. “How can I be sure that my suggestions or my issues are communicated in a approach that’s constructive and likewise, most significantly, respectful? How can I take advantage of my platform and expertise to assist numerous present groups selling the concept each manufacturing brings distinctive worth to Broadway?”

Lewis mentioned answering these questions “may also help veterans reminiscent of your self and myself included, mirror their affect inside the Broadway neighborhood in a constructive approach and promote a tradition of respect, empathy and inclusion” and that “on Broadway, we’re not simply neighbors, Ms. Capone, we’re a neighborhood that shares in one another’s artistry and challenges. Respect and collaboration are what maintain us thriving and encourage the subsequent technology.”

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Patti LuPone for touch upon Lewis’ open letter.