Tony Award winner Kecia Lewis, who currently plays Miss Liza Jane in Broadway's Alicia Keys jukebox musical Hell's Kitchen, took to Instagram November 2 to share a statement directed to Tony winner Patti LuPone.
Hell's Kitchen and The Roommate, which LuPone stars in opposite Mia Farrow, occupy neighboring theatres—the Shubert and the Booth, respectively. The two theatres may be on different streets but they share a wall and Shubert Alley. In her video, Lewis states that LuPone reached out to the Shubert's owner asking for adjustments to the sound design of Hell's Kitchen, claiming the musical is "too loud" and could be heard from inside the Booth.
According to Lewis, LuPone's request was granted. Requests for comment sent to Hell's Kitchen production representatives were not returned as of time of publication. After the changes were made, Lewis recounts, LuPone sent flowers to the Hell's Kitchen sound and stage management teams, of which Lewis included a photo (the flowers had a note that said "Mia and I thank you so very much").
Lewis also shared a video of LuPone bypassing a fan who requested that she sign a Hell's Kitchen Playbill at the stage door: "I'm not signing Hell's Kitchen, they're too loud," LuPone says in the clip.
Lewis then said that LuPone's comments were considered microaggressions—a subtle unintentional comment or action that conveys stereotypes, biases, or negative assumptions about someone based on their race.
"In our industry, language holds power and shapes perception, often in ways that we may not immediately realize," said Lewis. "Referring to a predominantly Black Broadway show as 'loud' can unintentionally reinforce harmful stereotypes, and it also feels dismissive of the artistry and the voices that are being celebrated on stage." Lewis then ended her video requesting an apology from LuPone.
In the comments section of Lewis' post, a number of individuals associated with both Hell's Kitchen and The Roommate responded.
One was a Hell's Kitchen producer, James L. Walker Jr.: "As a partner with Front Row Productions, a producer on this show and about 10 plays on Broadway and abroad, I totally stand with you @therealkecialewis—thank you for your courage and conviction. Hell’s Kitchen is one of the greatest plays we have ever been a part of and shame on Ms. LuPone for having the audacity to send a note to our theatre about our sound and overall production...Sad to say for those of us of color on Broadway or working in this space on stage or as investors and producers, there is a constant presence of micro-aggressions and racist stereotypes that permeate."
Others offered differing perspectives: "[The Roommate] is a quiet two-person play," wrote Kelly Saxon, a wardrobe supervisor for the production. "The music from the theatre next door has music so loud that it disrupts our show...the spirit of this community means we all respect each other."
The producers of The Roommate has issued a statement, saying that the sound from Hell's Kitchen was bleeding into the Booth, and "affecting backstage, onstage and into the audience." The statement also said that it's "not unusual" for shows to modify their sound design to minimize sound bleed. The statement in full reads:
"We are grateful to everyone at Hell's Kitchen for adjusting their cues to prevent sound bleed into our theatre, which was affecting backstage, onstage and into the audience. On Broadway, these historic buildings were built long before the existence of modern amplification and sit side by side, playhouses sharing walls with musical houses. These kinds of sound accommodations from one show to another are not unusual and are always deeply appreciated. We're proud to share Shubert Alley with Hell's Kitchen and wish our neighbors continued success."
