Skip to main content
Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Patti LuPone talks about ringing phones and Broadway’s woes

FILE - In this June 12, 2011 file photo, actress Patti LuPone arrives at the 65th annual Tony Awards in New York. LuPone plays a self-obsessed diva in the play "Shows For Days" at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
FILE - In this June 12, 2011 file photo, actress Patti LuPone arrives at the 65th annual Tony Awards in New York. LuPone plays a self-obsessed diva in the play "Shows For Days" at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File) FILE - In this June 12, 2011 file photo, actress Patti LuPone arrives at the 65th annual Tony Awards in New York. LuPone plays a self-obsessed diva in the play "Shows For Days" at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)

NEW YORK (AP) – It’s a theatrical mix that’s positively combustible – Patti LuPone and cellphones.

The Tony Award-winning actress has never been shy about confronting audience members whose phones go off or who have the gall to text during shows. But the rudeness never stops.

On Wednesday, LuPone endured the buzz of hearing aids improperly turned up and several ringing phones during the matinee of “Shows For Days” at Lincoln Center. That evening, she caught someone texting during the play and swiped the phone out of the patron’s hand.

In between, she sat down with The Associated Press to talk about Douglas Carter Beane’s loving look at a local community theater troupe in Pennsylvania. LuPone, who is married to cameraman Matt Johnston, plays a self-obsessed diva in the play at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre.

AP: What’s wrong with people? No matter how many warnings about phones needing to be shut off, they keep ringing.