'I Made a Mistake.' Patti LuPone Apologizes to Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald

"For as long as I have worked in the. theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today," writes Patti LuPone in an Instagram post on May 31.

LuPone was writing in response to the open letter to the Broadway community published on Friday condemning what she said in a recent New Yorker profile where she lashed out at actress Kecia Lewis and shaded Audra McDonald.

"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 during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community. I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.

"I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don't belong anywhere else. I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better."

The post is signed Patti LuPone.

Deadline writes: "LuPone's comments in a New Yorker magazine profile prompted considerable outrage within the theater community. Yesterday, a group called Theater For Change posted an open letter on social media and sent to news organizations calling on The Broadway League, The American Theatre Wing and "the greater theatre community" to demand "accountability, justice, and respect" in light of LuPone's remarks. The letter was signed by more than 500 theater workers, including the Tony-winning actors Wendell Pierce, Maleah Joi Moon and James Monroe Iglehart."