“For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken
my mind and never apologized.  That is changing today. 
I am deeply sorry for the words I used during ‘The New Yorker’
interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were
demeaning and disrespectful.  I regret my flippant
and emotional responses…I hope to have the chance to speak
to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.”
– Patti LuPone speaks her mind…again!

Several years ago, a friend interviewed Patti LuPone for a notable print interview.  During their lengthy sessions, she made many questionable comments that the writer felt perhaps he should excise.  He ran those by Patti and offered to cut them.  “Nope, they’re fine,” was her response.  Patti doesn’t care about ruffling feathers, or pissing people off, or being politically incorrect.  But she also doesn’t want to hurt people unnecessarily.  Surely I don’t need to explain that she used the word “bitch” in the, “Bitch, please” way.  Certainly she didn’t mean it in a racist way.  And, for the record, there is a major problem of sound “bleeding” into theatres where there is a common wall.  When I did my show Going Out on a Limb in Chicago, Dennis DeYoung’s musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame was next door.  While his audiences were somewhat subdued, the band had a thumping bass which needed to be adjusted.  Yes, I complained.  But I don’t think I was being anti-hunchback (although, I probably am).  So, when Patti complained about a neighboring theatre being loud, was she being “racially microaggressive”?  No, she was saying it was too loud.  Do I think Audra knew that?  Of course.  Is Audra gonna address it?  Not on your life.