Kecia Lewis demands apology from Patti LuPone for Hell's Kitchen comments

Hell's kitchen star Kecia Lewis demanded an apology from Patti LuPone on Saturday, after the Broadway legend called the show “too loud” and requested changes to its sound cues.

In a five-minute video posted to social media, Lewis called LuPone's actions “offensive,” “racially microaggressive,” “rude” and “rooted in privilege.”

Lewis specified that his message “comes from me, not from the cast, crew or producers Hell's kitchen. I speak only for Keisha Lewis. She recounted several interactions between LuPone and the show — for which Lewis won a Tony this year — in which LuPone contacted the Hell's kitchen theater owner that he changed several sound signals because “you found them too loud.”

LuPone's comedy, The roommateis currently playing at the Shubert Theatre, which shares a wall with the Booth Theatre, which it hosts Hell's kitchen.

“After we changed our sound design, [you] sent flowers to our sound and stage management team thanking them,” Lewis added. He also played a clip of LuPone telling a fan she wouldn't sign a contract Hell's kitchen poster, because the show is “too loud”.

“I want to explain what a microaggression is,” Lewis said. “These are subtle, unintentional comments or actions that convey stereotypes, prejudices, or negative assumptions about someone based on their race. Microaggressions may seem harmless or minor, but they can accumulate and cause significant stress or distress to those on the receiving end. Examples include calling out a show black in a way that repels it.

He continued: “In our industry, language has power and shapes perception, often in ways we may not immediately realize. Referring to a predominantly black Broadway show as loud can unintentionally reinforce harmful stereotypes, and it also seems dismissive of the artistry and voices that are celebrated on stage. Comments like these can be seen as racial microaggressions, which have a real impact on both artists and audiences. While gestures like sending thank you flowers may seem courteous, they were dismissive and out of touch, especially following a formal complaint you filed that resulted in changes that impacted our entire production, primarily about the people who have to go on stage and perform.”

He went on to call for collaboration between the two shows, which would mean “direct communication, respect for the work being done, and awareness of how actions resonate between different teams.”

Without cooperation, Lewis said he considered LuPone's actions an act of bullying and that “bullying in a professional context may include exerting influence to stop using one's status or connections to cause change not necessary for someone else's work environment, such as requesting sound adjustments.”

He explained that “even performative gestures are bullying, and what I mean by that is that sending thank you flowers after impacting the production can be perceived as disingenuous, particularly if it sidesteps meaningful dialogue or resolution.”

“I would like to offer a couple of thoughtful questions for veterans like you and me included,” Lewis concluded. “How can I ensure that my feedback or concerns are communicated in a constructive and, above all, respectful way? How can I use my platform and experience to support diverse show teams while promoting the idea that each production brings unique value to Broadway?

Lewis said that answering these questions “can help veterans like you, including me, reflect their influence within the Broadway community in a positive way and foster a culture of respect, empathy and inclusion” and that “on Broadway , we're not just neighbors, Mrs. Capone, we're a community that shares each other's artistic talents and challenges. Respect and collaboration are what make us thrive and inspire the next generation.”

The Hollywood journalist reached out to Patti LuPone for comment on Lewis' open letter.

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