Hollywood Exec’s Comeback Jeopardized by Resounding Boos After Years Out of Spotlight

It appears not everyone is enthusiastic about Scott Rudin’s return to Broadway.

Drama unfolded unexpectedly at the Drama Desk Awards last Sunday when the name of the notorious producer was brought up by Nathan Lane on stage, eliciting boos from the audience, according to multiple sources who spoke with P6H.

Upon winning his award for the leading role in the revival of “Death of a Salesman,” Lane mentioned, “This show would not have been possible without Scott Rudin.”

“People booed,” one source reported from the event at Town Hall, which has a seating capacity of 1,500.

Lane, quick on his feet, responded to the reaction by joking, “Ah, his family’s here.”

Another source described the atmosphere as “tense” after Lane acknowledged Rudin in his acceptance speech, noting that there was “heckling from the crowd.”

The source continued, “Nathan clearly intended to recognize the man behind the production, but the reaction from the audience indicated that Broadway isn’t quite ready to move on as some might have hoped.”

Rudin has been out of the public eye since a 2021 exposé by Tatiana Siegel in The Hollywood Reporter, followed by a piece in The New York Times, which detailed several accusations of bullying, verbal abuse, and other extreme behavior towards his staff.

In a New York Times article last year addressing these reports, Rudin admitted, “A lot of what was said was true. Some of it wasn’t. But I saw no point in responding to it all because what’s the point of dissecting bad behavior? It was bad behavior. I own it.” He also added, “I have much more self-control than I did four years ago. I’ve learned I’m not as important as I thought, which I believe is very healthy. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Regarding his comeback, he remarked, “I’m going to try to return and create more good work, and people will react how they will. If some are really upset about it, they have every right to be.”

It seems some are indeed still upset. Rudin did not attend the Drama Desk Awards, and sources indicate he won’t be at the Tonys on June 7, although “Death of a Salesman” is highly anticipated to win.

In 2021, Rudin — a distinguished non-celebrity member of the elite EGOT group, which includes names like Steven Spielberg and Andrew Lloyd Webber — resigned from the Broadway League and took a hiatus from producing for several years. (His past projects include major plays and musicals like “The Book of Mormon,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Music Man,” “The Ferryman,” and “Hello, Dolly!” as well as films like “No Country For Old Men,” “Lady Bird,” “Uncut Gems,” “The Social Network,” and others.)

His return this season has been explosive, earning two Tony nominations, leading Variety to remark in its predictions for the awards: “The single most uncomfortable question [for voters] has nothing to do with any performer,” referring to Rudin’s comeback.

After Lane’s mention of Rudin drew jeers at the Drama Desk Awards, backstage discussions intensified as attendees debated whether Broadway is truly ready to embrace Rudin again.

Yet another industry insider downplayed the controversy, calling Rudin’s return “inevitable.”

“He was booed slightly,” the seasoned theater professional insisted. “There were some jeers from the crowd in the balcony. It all came from the higher sections.” The source added about “Death of a Salesman,” “He produced the show of the season, and I think his work will rise above other issues.”

An additional source suggested that the booing might have been initiated by a rival associated with a competing show.

Nevertheless, a legendary Broadway diva commented, “Maybe it’ll add a bit of drama [to the Tonys race]. Everything else is so dull.”

The Rudin-produced revival of “Death of a Salesman” won four Drama Desk Awards, tying for the most recognized play of the evening. It’s also nominated for nine Tonys, including best revival of a play, with nominations for its leads (Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott) and director, Joe Mantello.

Rudin is up for two Tonys: for the Arthur Miller revival and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” also starring Metcalf, who has publicly defended Rudin.

She mentioned in a New Yorker profile last month regarding their recent Broadway collaborations, “He spoke about his therapy, he apologized, he acknowledged his actions, he reflected on them… He is in the process of rehabilitation. So I just think that, unless we believe there is no chance for true rehabilitation, then we shouldn’t discourage efforts toward it.”

A source shared: “The question circulating from Midtown green rooms to uptown dinner parties is whether the Tonys will mark Scott Rudin’s redemption tour, or serve as a reminder from Broadway that the industry still remembers?”