The New York Theatre Report: Audra McDonald is the next Madame Rose on Broadway in “Gypsy“

By Ross

Here she is, boys! Another new revival of the famous musical, Gypsy is heading back to Broadway. And the crowds will be cheering with the iconic role of Madame Rose being played by six-time Tony Award winner, Audra McDonald. McDonald (Broadway’s Ohio State Murders) will take on the part made famous by Ethel Merman in the fifth revival of Gypsy at the newly reopened Majestic Theatre this fall.

The revival will be directed by George C. Wolfe (Broadway’s Caroline, or Change), who will receive a 2024 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement later this year, and choreographed by the award-winning Camille A. Brown (Broadway’s Choir Boy) with previews beginning November 21. Opening night is set for December 19.

Gypsy Rose Lee was the world’s most famous striptease artist; Momma Rose was the ultimate stagemother. Follow their extraordinary story in the timeless musical about sex, power, and longing. With legendary songs, including “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything’s Coming up Roses,” 

Featuring a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy has been called by numerous critics and writers the greatest American musical ever written. Perfectly crafted for its 1959 Broadway premiere, it is loosely based on the life of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee and tracks her relationship with her overbearing stage mother, Rose. Beyond Merman’s iconic portrayal, it has been revived over and over again, on Broadway and off, with legendary lead performances by Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Imelda Staunton, and Patti LuPone. With many receiving nominations and awards for their portrayal of this fierce mother.

McDonald and Wolfe previously collaborated on the Broadway musicals; Shuffle Along, Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, which ran in 2016.