Here she is, boys! Gypsy is back on Broadway and Audra McDonald is a Mama Rose for the ages. This new revival breathes new life into one of musical theater’s most iconic works.
Based on the memoirs of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, the show follows the indomitable Mama Rose, a mother determined to turn her daughters into stars, no matter the cost. Set during the decline of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, Gypsy is both a gripping character study and a poignant reflection on ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of success.
First premiering on Broadway in 1959, Gypsy features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original production was an instant classic, earning critical acclaim and establishing Mama Rose as one of the most coveted roles in musical theater.
Numbers like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and “Rose’s Turn” have become standards, showcasing a score that balances rousing optimism with deep emotional complexity.
This new revival seeks to honor the show’s legacy while offering fresh perspectives. Directed by a visionary creative team, the production highlights the shifting dynamics of the relationships at its core: the relentless Mama Rose, the underestimated Louise, and the overlooked June. With innovative staging and bold new interpretations of the classic score, the revival offers a deeper dive into the themes of family, ambition, and identity.
Over the years, Gypsy has been a star vehicle for some of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies, including Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone. This revival continues that tradition, with a powerhouse performance from its leading actress anchoring the production. The ensemble and creative team bring energy and nuance to the show’s timeless story, while the design elements—evoking the glitz of vaudeville and the grit of backstage life—immerse audiences in its world.
Often hailed as the greatest American musical, Gypsy is celebrated not only for its unforgettable score but also for its rich storytelling and complex characters. This revival reaffirms its place in Broadway history, offering a fresh take on a show that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of humor, heartbreak, and humanity.
The marquee says it all: “AudraGypsy.” With less brass and more heart, Audra McDonald’s distinctive portrayal of Madam Rose, the mother of all stage mothers, is the reason to see this sixth Broadway production of the 1959 musical inspired by the memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee, the (s)mothered childhood vaudevillian turned famous adult stripper. Some people have called “Gypsy” the greatest musical ever written. “But some people ain’t me” — to quote a Stephen Sondheim lyric from one of Jule Styne’s many tuneful melodies in the show, which opened tonight at the Majestic.
Any production of “Gypsy” rises or falls on its Rose, and Ms. McDonald’s lifts this staging to majestic (sorry) heights. Days later I was reliving her “Rose’s Turn” in my mind with a mixture of elation, wonder and sorrow, the last arising from compassion for the devastating revelation of a woman’s misbegotten life. Who, after all, does not have dreams that withered, ambitions left unfulfilled? Who has not at some point felt that we walk through life as ghosts, just wanting “to be noticed,” as Rose wanly says in the musical’s moving final scene?
1959 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1961 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
1961 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
1973 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1974 | Broadway |
Broadway Production Broadway |
1976 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
1989 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1998 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2003 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2006 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
St. Louis MUNY Production St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
2006 |
Regional Concert |
|
2007 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
2008 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2014 | Regional (US) |
Connecticut Rep Production Regional (US) |
2015 | West End |
West End Revival Production West End |
2018 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
The Muny Revival St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
2024 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
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