“The Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli tapped into his character when he physically removed a climate activist who disrupted a Broadway performance on Thursday night.
During a performance of Enemy Of The People, a man started to walk towards the stage before yelling “I reject to the silencing of scientists!” He then identified himself as a performer at the theatre who was “putting his career on the line” for protesting against climate change.
As he got close to the stage, the crowd started to groan and boo, drowning out his climate sermon.
“You need to leave. You’re interrupting,” Imperioli then yelled, all while staying in character. At that point, the “Sopranos” star and another actor grabbed the protester and physically removed him from the event.
“Broadway will not survive on a dead planet,” the man shouted as he was escorted out.
Imperioli — a longtime supporter of left-wing causes — addressed the incident on social media after the performance. “Tonight was wild….no hard feelings extinction rebellion crew. michael is on your side but mayor stockmann is not. much love. m @anenemyplay @extinctionrebellion,” the actor posted to Instagram following the altercation.
The protest was led by Extinction Rebellion, a group known for disrupting events across the U.S. and Europe in the name of climate change. The group has also become known to toss paint on classic works of art or glueing themselves to objects.
The theater said they will not be pressing charges in connection with the incident.