Audra McDonald Is Starring in a Broadway Revival of “Gypsy” (Yes, That's What the Mystery N.Y.C. Sign Was Teasing!)
Legendary Broadway actress and singer Audra McDonald will be starring as Rose in the upcoming revival of 'Gypsy' this fall
Allison Michael Orenstein
Audra McDonaldAcclaimed actress and singer Audra McDonald is officially making her return to Broadway this fall in a revival production of Gypsy at the Majestic Theatre.
On May 29, the Majestic Theatre teased the new production by revealing only a few letters on a digital display screen in the hours leading up to the announcement. Many people shared the mysterious message being revealed on TikTok, theorizing that it would confirm a Gypsy revival.
The sign was later revealed to say "Audra Gypsy" in announcement of McDonald’s starring role.
Courtesy of Broadway
Audra McDonald will appear in the Broadway revival of GypsyThe six-time Tony Award-winning actress, 53, will be playing the iconic role of Rose in the production and will be the first Black woman to ever tackle the part on Broadway.
Gypsy, which originally premiered in 1959, follows the story of an ambitious stage mother who relentlessly supports her daughter’s success in show business. McDonald will be following in the footsteps of legendary Broadway actresses like Ethel Merman, Tyne Daly, Angela Lansbury and Patti Lupone who have also played Rose on the stage.
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In an interview with the New York Times, McDonald said that she “has been dreaming of Gypsy since she was 10 years old” and that it remained “very much alive in my brain” ever since.
“It’s one of the great roles in musical theater, and I’ve always thought maybe someday I could try it,” McDonald said. “It scares me to death, but I certainly feel old enough now, and having experienced motherhood, perhaps I have what is needed to dive in and explore her and all that she is."
In a press release provided to PEOPLE, producers Tom Kirdahy and Mara Isaacs said, "When we began this journey we had the specific dream of pairing Audra McDonald, our most lauded stage actress, with legendary director George C. Wolfe in a musical deemed by many to be the greatest. We could not be more honored to bring this particular Gypsy to the Broadway stage."
Performances of the Gypsy revival will begin Nov. 21, with the official premiere on Dec. 19. Tickets will go on sale on May 30 at 10 a.m. EST.
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