Thursday, December 26, 2024

Patti Lupone Gives Up Equity Card, Indicating Possible Retirement from US Theater Career

I guess Patti Lupone has had enough. The mega Broadway star Tweeted this morning that she’s turned in her Equity card, meaning she’s retired from performing in US theater productions.

She can still perform in Europe, and around the world, and in the US in one woman shows, cabaret, TV, and film. She just won’t be doing Broadway. She recently won her third Tony Award, for “Company.”

During the spring, Lupone famously got into it with an audience member who wasn’t wearing a mask. The incident became viral. But Lupone wasn’t wrong, and I can’t imagine this new turn of events has anything do with that.

Whatever happens next, Lupone’s place in Broadway history and theater lore is secure. She’s one of the biggest stars ever to appear on the New York stage. Nothing can change that.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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