Patti LuPone argues with anti-masker at Company talkback — Page 5

OhHiii said: "So much of this thread absolutely slaps of sexism and misogyny. People have a hard time with outspoken women who advocate for themselves, and that's made itself quite apparent here.

And before the inevitable pitchforks come out, yes, women can be sexist and misogynistic toward other women, too."

Just because some people didn’t like the way Patti spoke doesn’t make them sexist or misogynistic or a troll! *insert eyeroll here*

I’m female and am all for strong women and for women standing up for themselves (I wish I was more like that myself) but I still found the WAY that Patti spoke to be OTT and distasteful. We don’t all have to fall down at the Patti alter in praise of her everytime she decides to publicly scold someone!!

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I love it. TodayTix has a line of merch that either has the full extended quote, or “Chris Harper pays my salary”. I also love that he’s coming out with a statement supporting her."

And thus the welcomed revival that warmed people's hearts at the moment they lost Sondheim becomes the hostile production that is going out of its way to alienate audiences (no matter that the actors gathered for the discussion were unmasked themselves).

This could all have been handled much, much better. And still made the point that proper masking is still a requirement.

Erik3 said: "joevitus said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I love it. TodayTix has a line of merch that either has the full extended quote, or “Chris Harper pays my salary”. I also love that he’s coming out with a statement supporting her."

And thus the welcomed revival that warmed people's hearts at the moment they lost Sondheim becomes the hostile production that is going out of its way to alienate audiences (no matter that the actors gathered for the discussion were unmasked themselves).

This could all have been handled much, much better. And still made the point that proper masking is still a requirement."

Respectfully, I'm not sure why you keep ignoring the fact that Patti attempted to politely make her point several times before resorting to the more aggressive approach. The only people who would ever be alienated by this are anti-maskers, who should not be in Broadway theaters if they are not going to follow the rules and make a basic effort to keep the performers safe.

You seem to keep alluding to this idea that masks are not *actually* necessary at this stage - a stage where performers are still regularly getting sick with COVID. If this whole thing really soured you on Company, what does that say about you?"

Imagine anyone who worked at a Starbucks, Barnes and Noble or whatever, after "asking politely" going into a rampage like that at a customer. When the person was actually already wearing a mask! They'd be fired even if the customer was asked to leave. Patti gets away with it because she's a diva and because there's a part of the Broadway community that loves drama, on-and-offstage.

And, yeah, at this point, when the most recent strains are mild, when anyone can get vaxxed and boostered for free, and when most people are no longer required to mask in public or even in large gatherings inside, we aren't in the danger zone we were in two years ago. The rules have changed. Remember how absurd the argument "it's like the flu" used to be? Well now, it actually is pretty much like the flu for most people.

COVID will always we with us, and we will continue getting annual shots, but most of us will stop masking (or already have) in public unless we are personally immunocompromised. I'd be surprised if the mask mandates last out the year on Broadway.

Thus Patti's reaction was overblown.

Bill Snibson said: "Not overblown when the theater has a protocol set in place. Follow it or “get the **** out”. Simple enough."

See how that works out economically. Also, no. No place of business, whatever the requirement, should be using the phrase "or get the **** out" on its customers. A polite 'these are the rules, and if you do not follow them, you will be required to leave."

joevitus said: "Erik3 said: "joevitus said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I love it. TodayTix has a line of merch that either has the full extended quote, or “Chris Harper pays my salary”. I also love that he’s coming out with a statement supporting her."

And thus the welcomed revival that warmed people's hearts at the moment they lost Sondheim becomes the hostile production that is going out of its way to alienate audiences (no matter that the actors gathered for the discussion were unmasked themselves).

This could all have been handled much, much better. And still made the point that proper masking is still a requirement."

Respectfully, I'm not sure why you keep ignoring the fact that Patti attempted to politely make her point several times before resorting to the more aggressive approach. The only people who would ever be alienated by this are anti-maskers, who should not be in Broadway theaters if they are not going to follow the rules and make a basic effort to keep the performers safe.

You seem to keep alluding to this idea that masks are not *actually* necessary at this stage - a stage where performers are still regularly getting sick with COVID. If this whole thing really soured you on Company, what does that say about you?"

Imagine anyone who worked at a Starbucks, Barnes and Noble or whatever, after "asking politely" going into a rampage like that at a customer. When the person was actually already wearing a mask! They'd be fired even if the customer was asked to leave. Patti gets away with it because she's a diva and because there's a part of the Broadway community that loves drama, on-and-offstage.

And, yeah, at this point, when the most recent strains are mild, when anyone can get vaxxed and boostered for free, and when most people are no longer required to mask in public or even in large gatherings inside, we aren't in the danger zone we were in two years ago. The rules have changed. Remember how absurd the argument "it's like the flu" used to be? Well now, it actually is pretty much like the flu for most people.

COVID will always we with us, and we will continue getting annual shots, but most of us will stop masking (or already have) in public unless we are personally immunocompromised. I'd be surprised if the mask mandates last out the year on Broadway.

Thus Patti's reaction was overblown."

Good grief. It does not matter if Broadway might eventually drop the mask mandate. Right now, the rule remains that you must wear a mask over your nose and mouth, and Patti was right to call the person out when they refused to show a basic bit of courtesy for the performers' health and safety. But, considering your rhetoric here, I expect you're the type of person who lets your mask slip off and forces an exhausted, overworked theater worker to step in. As Patti (rightfully) said: Follow the rules, or don't come. It's that simple.

Right. That would be out of character for those people. Patti is known for being brash and opinionated and known to put people in their place. Also, when she does she is always in the right. ex. Everyone is told the taking of pictures and videos is strictly prohibited or put your mask over your nose. All the people condemning her behavior are all failing to remember that she told the woman multiple times in a polite way to raise her mask up.

Sally Durant Plummer said: "Don’t feed the trolls. There’s a reason Patti is a legend and they’re not."

Ok this is just stan culture at its worst. Patti has great pipes but she's also rude and entitled.

As I said, picture LMM doing this. Or Bette Midler. Or Bernadette Peters. Let me think ... oh that's right, it's hard to imagine them doing this, because they have manners.

poisonivy2 said: "Sally Durant Plummer said: "Don’t feed the trolls. There’s a reason Patti is a legend and they’re not."

Ok this is just stan culture at its worst. Patti has great pipes but she's also rude and entitled.

As I said, picture LMM doing this. Or Bette Midler. Or Bernadette Peters. Let me think ... oh that's right, it's hard to imagine them doing this, because they have manners



Please stop using stupid celebrity comparisons. People that you obviously put on some sort of pedestal. Here is the example of what this is…picture if you will a panel of the 4 ladies of “Sex and the City” …it takes a turn and Cynthia Nixon says “get the F out”…everyone clutches their pearls…Kim Kattrall says “get the F out” and everyone applauds her.

Love Patti to the moon and back, but she is part of the problem. If someone applauds this type of behavior because it suits your politics then you can't go chasing those on the other side of the fence who act aggressively. We are not in control of anyone else's behavior, only our own. You can't bemoan the breakdown of civil discourse if you are applauding someone who shouts f-bombs at someone. This woman in the audience keeps being referred to as an anti-masker. Do we know this? Do we have any insight into her hearing or cognitive deficits? No. She's just labeled as someone who cares nothing for others that Patti took aim at.

The woman didn't get ugly and start throwing barbs until Patti went low. This type of behavior only leads to more division. Empathy probably would have gotten a better response.

You can see it in Katrina's face. She's very uncomfortable. It's not cool for Patti to put her cast mates in that situation. Patti has the same ability to create a mob mentality as anyone. When you can hear other people shouting at the woman in question as well, that's where you see the danger of this type of thing.

As I said, I am a huge fan of Patti's talent, so I am well aware of her long time behavior. Her blog used to boast of her lambasting customer service reps. She plays favorites in her shows and if she deems you as not up to her standard, you are dead to her. She claims it is her own insecurity, but she can be cruel and thoughtless. And while everyone celebrates this from her, the one talentl she doesn't have is throwing shade. She doesn't have a drag queen's panache to coyly veil or josh with an insult. She wants to hurt and goes straight for the heart. I'm not a fan of that.

And as others have said. If anyone else did this in any other job, they'd be out the door.

Sally Durant Plummer said: "Don’t feed the trolls. There’s a reason Patti is a legend and they’re not."

Seriously asinine statement. And if being rude an abrasive makes one a legend, how did you manage to miss out?

Bill Snibson said: "Right. That would be out of character for those people. Patti is known for being brash and opinionated and known to put people in their place. Also, when she does she is always in the right. ex. Everyone is told the taking of pictures and videos is strictly prohibited or put your mask over your nose. All the people condemning her behavior are all failing to remember that she told the woman multiple times in a polite way to raise her mask up."

She’s not always right. In the “Gypsy” photo incident, she blew up at a professional photographer who was doing their job, and the entire company had been notified before hand that a photographer would be present, taking photos.

OhHiii said: "So much of this thread absolutely slaps of sexism and misogyny. People have a hard time with outspoken women who advocate for themselves, and that's made itself quite apparent here.

​​​​Thank you, great comment. I was told last week my anger is SUCH a dark cloud here yet that poster has never called out men who spew anger all day every day. So very telling. About them. Patti is incredible and when the Tammy Tourist still wouldn't mask up after several polite attempts, she got aggressive. Love to see a strong woman not taking crap from people who make it dangerous to be in the theater. It still cracks me up they chose a show about liberal New Yorkers. Ha.

I saw the show the afternoon after this happened and the ushers and security were insane. I loved it. One lady got removed by security for not masking and her phone use the entire first act. Can't follow the rules? Get the F OUT!