About the Show

Audra McDonald stars as Mama Rose in George C. Wolfe's Tony Award® nominated revival of GYPSY.

Set against the backdrop of the waning vaudeville era, GYPSY chronicles the relentless ambition of Mama Rose as she pushes her daughters, June and Louise, toward stardom. Rose's unwavering determination to secure fame for her children leads them through a series of performances, ultimately culminating in Louise's unexpected transformation into the legendary burlesque performer, Gypsy Rose Lee. The narrative delves into themes of maternal sacrifice, identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

This Broadway revival features six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald in the role of Rose, marking the first time a Black actress has portrayed this iconic character on Broadway. McDonald's extensive credits include acclaimed performances in Carousel, Ragtime, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Directed by five-time Tony Award® winner George C. Wolfe (Angels in America, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk), the production also stars Tony Award® winner Danny Burstein (Moulin Rouge!, Fiddler on the Roof) as Herbie, Joy Woods (Six, Little Shop of Horrors) as Louise, and Jordan Tyson (The Notebook) as June. Choreography is by Camille A. Brown, known for her work on Once on This Island and Choir Boy.

GYPSY received 5 Tony Award® nominations in 2025, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Audra McDonald, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Danny Burstein, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Joy Woods and Best Choreography.

Critic Reviews (17)

"McDonald is the star such a Rose hoped for. Doing a psychological striptease, showing more of the character’s rage than her predecessors, she is stupendously affecting. So, if a bit intermittently, is the show"
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"McDonald’s take on Momma Rose is all her own from her very first line to her triumphant final song."
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"She’s [Audra McDonald] a revelation. So, too, is the rest of George C. Wolfe’s deeply intelligent and beautifully mounted production, which comes as a happy surprise."
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"Though Wolfe hasn’t double underlined it in his production, the reality of McDonald as the first Black Rose on Broadway also finds full manifestation in the complex knot of hurt, defiance, and rage that is her 'Rose’s Turn'."
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