This fall, the legendary Audra McDonald, a six-time Tony Award winner, will return to Broadway, taking on the iconic role of “Mama” Rose in the beloved musical “Gypsy.”
Directed by George C. Wolfe and featuring choreography by Camille A. Brown, the revival brings a fresh energy to this classic show. Previews are set to start on Thursday, November 21, at the newly renovated Majestic Theatre, with the official opening night scheduled for Thursday, December 19.
“Gypsy,” inspired by the 1957 memoirs of famed striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, centers on her formidable mother Rose, a quintessential stage mother. The musical also highlights the journey of Rose’s daughters, Louise—who transforms into Gypsy Rose Lee—and June, based on actress June Havoc.
The production boasts a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, featuring timeless songs such as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Small World,” “Together (Wherever We Go),” “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and the powerful showstopper “Rose’s Turn.”
Producers Tom Kirdahy and Mara Isaacs expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “Pairing Audra McDonald, our most celebrated stage actress, with the legendary George C. Wolfe in a musical considered by many as the greatest, is a dream come true. We are equally thrilled to have Camille A. Brown’s unique vision as part of our creative team.”
“Gypsy” first premiered on Broadway in 1959, with Ethel Merman delivering a career-defining performance as Rose. Since then, the demanding role has been interpreted by several of Broadway’s brightest stars, including Angela Lansbury in 1974, Tyne Daly in 1989, Bernadette Peters in 2003, and Patti LuPone in 2008.
Audra McDonald’s illustrious career is marked by an unprecedented six Tony Awards, with memorable performances in productions such as “Carousel,” “Master Class,” “Ragtime,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” and “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.” Her most recent Broadway appearance was in Adrienne Kennedy’s “Ohio State Murders” in 2022. McDonald has also captivated audiences with her roles in “The Secret Garden,” “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” and on television in NBC’s “The Sound of Music Live!,” “Private Practice,” “The Good Wife,” and currently, HBO’s “The Gilded Age.”
The revival of “Gypsy” is produced by Kirdahy, Isaacs, Kevin Ryan, Diane Scott Carter, Peter May, and Thomas M. Neff. Additional casting and creative team announcements will be made in the coming.