Audra McDonald is starring in Gypsy. Need we say more? Well, yeah, kinda. Below, the original big news and the latest cast-member additions, from Danny Burstein (Moulin Rouge!, Fiddler on the Roof) through to The Notebook ex-pats. The family is assembled.
Audra is in
May 29, 2024: And now for a completely inevitable yet overwhelmingly exciting announcement: Audra McDonald (the most Tony-winning performer of all time) is playing Momma Rose in Gypsy (tied for being the most Tony-winning role of all time). It will be the first time a Black actress has played the part on Broadway. In 2022, McDonald referred to Momma Rose as the “King Lear of roles for women in musical theater†and, yeah, we’re gonna need to see McDonald play that. Even the poster for the upcoming revival simply reads “AUDRA GYPSY,†as if it’s one word. Seems correct. George C. Wolfe (Angels in America, Caroline, or Change) is directing the production — his first musical since 2016’s Shuffle Along (which also starred McDonald). The revival will begin previews on November 21 before opening December 19, and it will re-open the Majestic Theater following its current renovations. There’s no official word on co-stars in the production, but we’re already imagining what it would be like for McDonald to star alongside her Gilded Age daughter, Denée Benton.
Danny? It’s Danny.
September 19, 2024: After the shock and excitement of the initial news, Gypsy hiatus, there was no confirmation on the rest of the cast all of summer. Finally, we receive word. Danny Burstein, seven-time Tony nominee, onetime winner, and one of the most respected actors on Broadway, will play Herbie. “That’ll be just the beginning …†a press release says, “more casting to be announced soon.â€
Nevertheless,The Notebook persisted
September 24, 2024: Broadway’s The Notebook is scheduled to end its run on December 15, 2024, but two of its actresses won’t be out of work for any time at all: Both Jordan Tyson (Young Allie) and Joy Woods (Middle Allie) have been cast in Gypsy. Tyson will play Rose’s favorite daughter, June, while Woods will take on the heftier role of Louise, the forgotten daughter — a part that won Laura Benanti a Tony for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical the last time Gypsy was on Broadway. It is unclear who will replace Woods and Tyson in The Notebook, or when they’ll have to depart the show.
Also now cast are the three strippers who sing “Gotta Get a Gimmick,†one of the shows most well-beloved numbers. Lesli Margherita (Matilda the Musical) will play Tessie Tura, Lili Thomas (Chicago) is Miss Mazeppa, and Mylinda Hull (Mr. Saturday Night) is Miss Electra. We are chomping at the bit to see the gimmicks that will make them stars.