Patti LuPone

Patti LuPone
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Name	Patti LuPone
Birth date	April 21, 1949
Birth place	Northport, New York
Occupation	Actress, singer

Patti LuPone is a renowned American actress and singer, best known for her powerful voice and iconic performances in Broadway productions, including Evita, Gypsy, and Company. With a career spanning over four decades, LuPone has worked with esteemed directors such as Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents. Her impressive range and versatility have earned her numerous awards and nominations, including Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Grammy Awards. LuPone's collaborations with fellow artists, including Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and Audra McDonald, have been widely acclaimed.

● Early Life and Education

Patti LuPone was born in Northport, New York, to Adriana LuPone and Orlando LuPone. She grew up in a family of Italian-American descent and was raised in Long Island, where she developed a passion for music and theater. LuPone attended Northport High School and later enrolled in the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied alongside fellow actors, including Kevin Kline and David Ogden Stiers. During her time at Juilliard, LuPone was exposed to the works of renowned playwrights, such as Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Eugene O'Neill.

● Career

LuPone's professional career began in the early 1970s, with appearances in Off-Broadway productions, including The Cradle Will Rock and The Baker's Wife. Her breakthrough role came in 1979, when she played the title character in the Broadway production of Evita, directed by Harold Prince and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. LuPone's performance earned her a Tony Award nomination and recognition from critics, including The New York Times and The New Yorker. She went on to work with esteemed directors, such as Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, on productions like Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods.

● Major Works and Roles

Some of LuPone's most notable roles include Gypsy Rose Lee in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, Joanne in the 2011 New York Philharmonic production of Company, and Helena Rubinstein in the 2017 Broadway production of War Paint. Her performances have been praised by critics, including Ben Brantley of The New York Times and Terry Teachout of The Wall Street Journal. LuPone has also appeared in numerous West End productions, including Les Misérables and Sunset Boulevard, and has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company on productions like The Winter's Tale and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, LuPone has received numerous awards and nominations, including two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, for her performances in Gypsy and Company. She has also been recognized with Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Grammy Awards nominations. LuPone has been honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her contributions to the world of theater have been acknowledged by organizations, including the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress.

● Personal Life

LuPone is married to Matthew Johnston, a camera operator, and the couple resides in Connecticut. She is a supporter of various charitable organizations, including the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Actors' Equity Association. LuPone has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has performed at numerous benefits, including the Trevor Project and the It Gets Better Project. Her friendships with fellow actors, including Neil Patrick Harris and Christine Baranski, have been well-documented.

● Discography

LuPone has released several solo albums, including Patti LuPone, Matters of the Heart, and Gypsy in My Soul. Her recordings have featured songs by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, and Cole Porter, among others. LuPone has also appeared on cast recordings, including Evita, Gypsy, and Company, and has collaborated with artists, such as John McDaniel and Phil Ramone. Her music has been praised by critics, including The New York Times and Rolling Stone, and has been recognized with Grammy Awards nominations. LuPone's discography also includes performances with the New York Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra.