Show People with Paul Wontorek: Broadway Icon Patti LuPone

When you've got the currently-hot career of Broadway icon Patti LuPone, you gotta know how to multitask. On the day the beloved two-time Tony Award winner paid a visit to Show People, she had already had an early-morning filming on the set of Glee and a rehearsal at New York City Ballet for her upcoming appearance in Seven Deadly Sins. Despite the busy day, LuPone was in high spirits as she chatted with host Paul Wontorek about the the Kurt Weill rarity, the recent artistically-satisfying-yet-commercially-disappointing run of the musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (thankfully preserved on the upcoming Ghostlight Records CD), her must-read memoir and her festive summer vacation plans (man soup, anyone?). Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Patti LuPone!

[@carolynsilverberg3217]

YES. Bring the orchestra back to the pit for the Tonys. Absolutely horrible they're banished to a different location.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Carolyn Silverberg The Oscars have done the same thing since 2013. The ceremony takes place at the Dolby Theatre, but the orchestra is housed at Capitol Records a mile away, where they perform their their live and pre-recorded duties from afar. It's really sad, like they're personas non grata: "You can perform in the show but you can't be in it."

[@loraleecliff2195]

@@musicaltheatergeek79 ij*

[@carlyzee97]

I love Patti! Who could hate her?? She's brutally honest which I love

[@Ninafan68]

Me. "Hate" would be too strong of a word. But as an actress and a person, I don't feel any vulnerability in her. She just looks like a bitch. And she wrote bitchy things about Barbra Streisand and Glen Close. And that tantrum she threw on stage ("Who do you think you are?"). Hugh.... She makes me cringe. And that voice.... That husky sound. She forces her voice to sing out of her range just to prove that she has a wider range than she actually has. Her voice sounds strained, forced. Everything is forced, manufactured. I really don't like her as a performer. And as a person, she looks scary.

[@ddjmfan]

@@Ninafan68 She's not a very nice person and has a colossal ego.

[@castalbumload]

"(Lloyd Webber) Doesn't edit". LuPone hit the nail on the head as to why Lover Never Dies failed so badly.

[@rafael2212]

first thing I thought when she said that!

[@aidanhiggins5737]

Just for the record.. You can take what you want from interviews with Patti, Sorry Ms LuPone However as a young 18yr old I had the privilege of working with Ms Lupone in Les Mis when I was part of the ensamble both at the Barbican and in the West End way back in 1985,,,,, I have only good memories of this amazing lady and an amazing time

[@kda340]

I consider Patti Lupone the first lady of the Musical Theater. Always admired her talent.

[@sativumcoalho3920]

If it wasn't for Steven Universe, I'd never got to know this incredible woman. She's great and does a wonderful job as Yellow Diamond.

[@macaronifanatic7287]

Sativum Coalho agreed

[@connorweinman4792]

Sativum Coalho she's great as Yellow Diamond

[@lukethomas658]

I like how she isn't a PR puppet. Agree with them or not, but she has her own opinions.

[@deannemencher]

Patti Lupone is amazing.. I'm a huge fan. She is so natural and unaffected and talented both in musicals and drama...... love her

[@MusicalLover6]

God, this woman knows how to tell a story. I want her to write another book. More specifically about Webber. Anything where she was slamming him was perfection.

[@nlawrence321]

I love Patti LuPone.

[@musicalfool]

I'm with Patti! Put the Orchestra in the ORCHESTRA PIT! She is so wonderful and wonderfully wise!

[@princepeterwolf]

her interviews are always amazing, she's one of the most "real" artists out there. Thank you for the amazing interview

[@johndennehy44]

6:21 'She's LIT-HE'. I live for Patti's diction and the way she uses words.

[@catulusfelis]

Hurray for keeping us in the pit!!!! You are right, it's our home!

[@jacksonkamiska]

Patti is AMAZING! Love her as a performer and as a person

[@iggirocks]

Love her laugh

[@sephyr2006]

haha she is one of my absolute favorites.

[@xxfayerocksxx]

She’s such a sweetheart I love her ☺️❤️

[@andygreen1a]

Amazing woman, I love her. Yet so grounded and down to earth

[@d0cn0tes]

The crush I had on this woman growing up... She still looks great.

[@serenatsukino999]

I would get nervous with Patti too!!!!

[@ternitamas]

wow 61 i would never have thought that was her age, she's gorgeous

[@reidpaul272]

Now she's 70 and still going like a wildfire!❤

[@ggfanjase]

I'm in love with her and her candor. She's just so REAL. And her talent is stuff of legends. Bow down, ya'll!

[@madalyn_]

Please another episode with her!

[@billleach8930]

She gives the best interviews and I feel lucky to have seen her on Broadway and in concert many times. Great job Paul!

[@melissamarie9597]

She's just so adorable. "Bye!"

[@alexisgrey3633]

I love her accent.

[@ActorsWithIssuespodcast]

Oh what I would give to meet Patti. I want to see her in a show sooo badly. I've only done theatre for 6 years and I've done Les Mis twice, and I always think of Patti when "I Dreamed a Dream" is performed. I'm doing Gypsy this year and she will always come to mind. She's such a versatile actress and she makes every role her own. She's incredible.

[@xxfayerocksxx]

I love her i know i've said this before on here but I don't care and I'll say it again she really is a sweetheart ❤💕

[@SongbirdAlom]

I feel the same way about Times Square.

[@lolatheballerina]

She looks so much happier now adays, I think it's thanks to that 2nd Tony win... Love her so much!

[@teeniebeenie8774]

patti lupone makes me happi !

[@GBTDC]

PATTI, COME TO LONDON NOWWWWWWWWWWW WE AWAIT FOR YOU!

[@PaulLeary]

absolutely looooove, love- love it!

[@princeandrey]

I feel the emotion of love when I see her.

[@nasugbubatangas]

She's no less than my favourite Broadway actress... Does anyone still need an explanation why?

[@BrandonFer]

Marvelous!

[@robins1016]

Great interviewer, ask a question and then listen.

[@iteachbass]

BRAVO! Someone who tells it like it is - and who knows what SHOULD be. Music in the schools. Orchestras (PLEASE) back into the pit so that the singers have contact with the conductor - and TURN DOWN THE BLOODY AMPLIFIERS!

[@quiroz923]

She still looks young.... so it's viable... that and she' FREAKING PATTI LUPONE!!!!!!

[@johnybroadway10]

she's fantastic!

[@LPM12]

BEST ONE YET!!!!!!!

[@TheHManShow]

She's such a diva but it's great!!

[@Autumn-mk6pb]

Love Patti Lupone, Paul Wontorek is a fun Interviewer, @Broadwaycom, I have a question: Where would I be able to buy those cups,? Maybe I haven't checked well on Broadway.com website, but I couldn't find it. Is there a link so I could purchase it,? Much appreciated, Happy 2017!

[@inick122492]

12:06 I love her "Oh great!" and face

[@BrandonTJones69]

Listening to her bash a.l.w. makes me SO HAPPY. he's awful. shes FABULOUS

[@wotan10950]

She is certainly an original! Genius talent. I first saw her way back in Evita; even then it was too loud. Agree completely about the orchestra. But disagree about Times Square. That place used to be a dangerous pit, filled with porn shops, porn theaters, drug addicts. It may be a little too Disney now, but it's light years better. But I enjoy Patti in anything she does.

[@cxeazn]

I agree with her last remark about the sound. I went to In the Heights last summer, and while I loved the performance, I hated the volume. BLAST BLAST BLAST

[@KryptoniteStuff]

She's wonderful. It's the first intervene I saw with her, started confused, ended up in love with her.

[@LiveArtistVocal1]

Dear Patti LuPone, Marry me.

[@pallafox]

"I'm just a regular person" - c'mon Patti... try harder!!

[@grai]

I can#t believe she said that! then I thought wait a minute - she's right! and anyway its her opinion - but god - so honest

[@sabberdab]

I agree with Patti- the performers on stage can't hear! Put the orchestra back in the pit! Trust me the audience at home can tell the performers can't hear! Many of us are NOT tone deaf! We can read body language too! Why would you change a good thing? If it ain't broke don't fix it! Problem is when you tried to fix it you broke it! Put the orchestra back in the pit!

[@Ender275]

Yellow diamond

[@quiroz923]

She's right!!!!! The tony's audio quality really sucks lately!!!! It's been 2 years in a row!!!! Why isn't everyone doing something about it!!!!!

[@v0zbox]

16:34 Quote of the interview, in reference to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Patti tells it like it is, folks. Couldn't be more in agreement.

[@TheOri411]

Wendy Whelan 💗💗💗💗

[@teeniebeenie8774]

saw her pre broadway run for evita in frisco fun

[@teeniebeenie8774]

best part of penny (and it is) dreadful...

[@TheDylanbailey1996]

GreatBroadwayFan no she is not. She, in my opinion is the definition of a true performer. But her and Andrew Lloyd Webber aren't friends and she won't beat around the bush when talking about him. She acts to push her boundarys now not for a living. I respect that.

[@ivelosthewilltolive]

@Mattbrain Well sweetie Madama Butterfly was based on a play. Gone with the Wind was based on a book. Everything's based on something...

[@traod8]

I agree that Evita is ALW's best score. I like a lot of his other work, but there's a lot that I don't care for either. It's the same with any composer, really...some are good, some aren't.

[@Etheline]

Oooh, I feel ashamed but I love the song "The Lady's paying".

[@joehnlein]

0 dislikes. there's a reason for that

[@ActorsWithIssuespodcast]

Patti! Why do you hate twitter?! You'd get so much fan love :(((

[@eilidhw]

Patti LuPone for next NYC mayor?

[@lavalamp625]

Ya know they probably are doing something differently with the orchestra for the Tony's cause it's broadcasted and they want the best sound for the video, which I think would make sense but the Tony's has such a record of bad mike problems which should definitely be better locked in

[@lukeevans5427]

The moment that Patti Lupone completely flamed Andrew Lloyd Webber was probably the greatest moment of my life. I agree with her, I hate Andrew Lloyd Webber's music. Evita and Phantom are the only good things he's ever done. Joseph is tolerable. Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express; all of these are trash.

[@vcabrera5396]

Someone agrees! Maybe it's not all 'trash' but Evita and Phantom are by far the best. Cats is super weird. The plot is just plain odd. And why are people on roller skates 'trains'? I thought they were still people.

[@LadyHawke78]

"He writes crap music..." LOLOLOLOLOL!! Lloyd-Webber just got LuP0wn3d. It was GLORIOUS!!!! (Even though I really DO like Evita and Superstar...)

[@jacksonkamiska]

I LOOOOVE Sunset Boulevard and Evita. That's it probably

[@henryanderson6752]

Luke Evans I half agree. I love Evita, Phantom, Superstar and Cats. Evita and Phantom are the best, Superstar is a fun rock album, and Cats just has nice music and an overall ‘British’ feel to it. But never mention Love Never Dies.

[@samozeck9470]

I agree theatre is too loud!

[@bway_car08]

What happened between her and ALW?

[@alexisgrey3633]

He screwed her over during sunset Boulevard dropping her in the Broadway casting replacing her with Glen Close, it had a profound effect on her.

[@patrikez1]

Good looking woman,i´ll certainly present her with my love thing..

[@michaeldonoue1820]

I think Webber writes some wonderful songs, but she has a point about there being a lot of dross in his musicals.

[@RobinGoodFellovv]

Was Andrew Lloyd Weber's daughter already working at Broadway.com when Patti LuPone declared that her father wrote "crap" music?

[@ElphieBeGood]

she seems kinda rude, but I can't help but love her, weird haha!

[@pmcmahon2493]

I love Patti, I respect Patti, but she's always hit or miss with me in interviews. She's either like this - down to earth and fun. Or she comes off extremely cold and pretentious.

[@L-O-L-za]

I think it depends on the interviewer and the questions. If it's more biographical she's like this, if it's societal she gets more angry.

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

@PJ I agree but in your second category you forgot BITTER and MEAN

[@jvanness90]

Did she know that the show she was in was an adaptation? She keeps harping on the fact that it's original material. Original material. Idk, just kind of bugged me a bit.

[@liquiddiamonds2702]

Its original music, not a jukebox musical. Based on a non musical movie.

[@grai]

what have they done to Times Square? cleaned it up so that its sterile? I lived in NY in the 80's and it was a shit hole but havent been back since all the changes

[@stephenvalentinemusi]

Here, here. Original is no longer truly original. There are only a small amount of plots that make successful stories, but it's how they're dressed up that makes a difference.

[@streisandgarlandlvr]

Does she still smoke!?! No way.....

[@TheZeitergeist3]

10:13

[@L-O-L-za]

The Lady's Paying was ok. Let's Have Lunch was horrible, a talk-sing delivery and boring melody. Don't know why they reprised it like 3 times during the show.

[@drjax1994]

Kinda weired...but I thnk I like her hair shorter. It was odd seeing it long even though she's had it long before.

[@KHurseyJazz]

sooo i'm unfollowing "patti lupone" now...

[@connorweinman4792]

Khiyon Hursey LOL

[@billleach8930]

Your loss…

[@exreemmaster1234]

Women on the Verge was the Worst broadway show I've ever seen. And I have seen over 30 shows

[@GreatBroadwayFan]

She's so fantastic and such a great singer, but she's really rude and from what I've heard, she's a total diva. Can anyone confirm that for me?

[@henryanderson6752]

I think that she’s just opinionated, and since she’s had such a long career I think she’s just getting tired of people’s crap.

[@ChocolAnimeV4]

Luke Delmar I don’t where you read this rumor. Everyone credits Patti for being incredibly professional.

[@ddjmfan]

It's true.

[@kyriacoscharalambous2304]

that role in Evita made her the Patti LuPone she is today. She is just so selfish. A diva in the bad sense

[@jacksonkamiska]

I'd be bitter towards Webber if he did to me what he did to her

[@MartyMusic777]

Charlie Kaine Lloyd Webber was HORRIBLE to her, both in Evita and especially Sunset Boulevard, especially given how much more popular she made the shows in her phenomenal performances. She has every right to dislike him.

[@nikavance9453]

Nope. Patti Lupone made Evita what it is today. It was thanks to her (and Mandy's) gorgeous talent, dry wit, amazing voice and commitment to the part that Evita achieved the success it achieved. If it was a Elena Roger who originated this part, Evita would end in the Woman in White limbo.

[@jcomments8]

This guy is the worst interviewer ever. Watch his body language--foot shaking and appearing expressionless and bored to tears during most of her answers. He says he gets nervous interviewing her but if you watch the way he conducts the interview, he isn't nervous at all. I don't care what he loves or hates--he is annoying. I want to hear what Patti loves and feels... And why is it "amazing" that Patti would drink a beer alone (he meant "weird")? Is it respectful to say that to your guest?

[@metalpetal190]

Yellow diamond

[@Winshard]

+RandomDizzy Lilly this is also how i got here *high fives*

[@maryyyscarlet]

Patti is very funny, but Yellow Diamond no.