Patti LuPone Reveals Why She’s Done With Broadway—and No Longer Friends With Audra McDonald

Broadway icon Patti LuPone, 76, has set social media ablaze after candidly revisiting two of her most talked-about relationships—one personal, one professional—in a new interview with The New Yorker. Her revelations, coupled with fresh casting news for “And Just Like That…,” have rocketed LuPone back into the cultural spotlight and onto trending lists worldwide. A seven-year roller-coaster with Kevin Kline • LuPone describes her on-again, off-again 1970s romance with Kevin Kline as “painful,” calling the Oscar winner a “Lothario” who repeatedly broke up with her to pursue other women. • Kline, now 77, concedes the relationship was “fraught,” noting the pair’s fiery clashes earned them the nickname “the Strindbergs” among Juilliard classmates. • Despite the turbulence, LuPone insists she holds “no hard feelings,” praising Kline as “a terrific man” before pivoting to her 36-year marriage to cameraman Matthew Johnston. Fresh feud with Audra McDonald In a separate chat with People, the three-time Tony winner declared six-time Tony champ Audra McDonald is “not a friend anymore,” referencing a backstage controversy that allegedly chilled their once-warm bond. The remark has ignited Broadway Twitter, pitting devotees of two theatre titans against one another. Why the timing matters 1. Awards buzz: LuPone’s memoir “A Life in Notes,” slated for fall, is already climbing preorder charts. 2. Streaming splash: She joins “And Just Like That…” season 3 as Giuseppe’s fiery Italian mother, a role insiders predict could steal the HBO Max series’ spotlight. 3. Viral quotes: TikTok’s #PattiLuPone hashtag surpassed 35 million views within hours of the Kevin Kline story breaking, signaling robust fan interest. Search-friendly takeaways • Patti LuPone Kevin Kline relationship timeline • Patti LuPone vs. Audra McDonald feud explained • Patti LuPone cast in “And Just Like That” season 3 • Patti LuPone memoir “A Life in Notes” release date Bottom line Whether revisiting a tempestuous past with Kevin Kline, redefining friendships with Audra McDonald, or gearing up for a high-profile TV comeback, Patti LuPone proves she’s still the diva audiences—and algorithms—can’t resist.