Audra McDonald to star in Broadway revival of 'Gypsy'

Karen Butler
·2 min read
Audra McDonald is set to star as Rose in the stage musical "Gypsy" this fall. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Audra McDonald is set to star as Rose in the stage musical "Gypsy" this fall. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

May 30 (UPI) -- Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald is set to star as iconic stage mother Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy.

"Curtain up. Light the lights. I am returning to Broadway this fall in Gypsy," McDonald said in an Instagram video Wednesday.

George C. Wolfe is to direct the musical by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim.

The role of Rose has been played by Ethel Merman, Rosalind Russell, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone and Imelda Staunton.

Audra McDonald arrives on the red carpet at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in 2019 in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Audra McDonald arrives on the red carpet at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in 2019 in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

"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," producers Tom Kirdahy and Mara Isaacs said in a joint statement.

"Sometimes the theater gods smile upon us. This is one such time. We could not be more honored to bring this particular Gypsy to the Broadway stage and also include the singular Camille A. Brown as part of our creative team."

U.S. President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to composer Stephen Sondheim during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, in 2015. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
U.S. President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to composer Stephen Sondheim during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, in 2015. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Preview performances begin Nov. 21, with an opening night planned for Dec. 19.

Additional casting is expected to be announced at a later date.

George C. Wolfe arrives on the red carpet at the 2016 Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Reception in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
George C. Wolfe arrives on the red carpet at the 2016 Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Reception in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

The show last played on Broadway in 2008.

McDonald was most recently seen in the New York stage productions of Ohio State Murders and Ragtime, the film Rustin and the TV show The Gilded Age.

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