One of the most iconic musicals of all time has returned to Broadway in the most spectacular way one could imagine.
With a star studded cast, a somehow modern yet Vaudevillian directing and design, technically proficient elements from every single person on the artistic and design team and some of the best acting and performances I’ve seen on Broadway recently.
The Musical Gypsy, book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, made its stage premiere in 1959 with stars like Ethel Merman, Sandra Church, and Jack Klugman. The story is suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and her life and family. Inspired by these stories, Laurents, Styne, and Sondheim collaborate and create a musical exploration of their lives with A Mother who wanted nothing more than to have her children be Stars– and live the big lives she herself never got to. And soon the musical “Gypsy” was born.
Production Photo by Julieta Cervantes, From Left to Right: Zachary Daniel Jones, Tony d’Alelio, Jordan Tyson, Kevin Csolak, Brendan Sheehan
Flash forward to 2024, this revival is being directed by George C. Wolfe, with choreography by Camille A. Brown, and music direction and supervision by Andy Einhorn with additional orchestrations/arrangements by Daryl Waters. Gypsy is being presented at the Majestic Theatre; now being the first show to be performed in this iconic theater post renovations after housing “The Phantom of the Opera” for over 20 years.
With this incredible Artistic and creative team, and a cast filled with stars from every direction, iconic legends to legends to be, this is not a show you will want to miss.
Some say Gypsy shaped the genre of musical theater, with its attention to quality music, book, and always featuring incredible actors as these now Iconic characters. This time around, the casting did not disappoint. Featuring Audra McDonald as “Mama Rose,” Danny Burstein as “Herbie,” Joy Woods as “Louise,” Jordan Tyson as “June”, and even having names like Lesli Margherita play “Tessie Tura” and more.
Featuring: Mylinda Hull, Joy Woods, Lesli Margherita & Lili Thomas – Photo by Julieta Cervantes
If the cast is not enough to get you on board and already buying tickets, then let me tell you about this cast.
Never have I ever witnessed a show where every single body on stage was fully and wholeheartedly dropped into the story. Not a single moment of marking or phoning in, and with an old school story like this was a lot going on for a while, the attention to detail was astounding. The focus, which was evident from the creative team and around the show as it was on stage, was magnetic.
Photo by Julieta Cervantes, from Left to Right: Danny Burstein, Joy Woods & Audra McDonald
Director George C. Wolfe creates an incredibly effective specific container for the world of the show, on stage and for the audience to participate in. I felt at complete ease, watching a show in a genre and style that I have not sat through in a hot second. But the minute we had the overture play and the house lights at half, and the red curtain opening up, I was transported to the world akin to Vaudeville, or the tail end of it. Yet somehow, the knowledge and specificity of today was not lost on us. Every actor was on the same page and in the same world.
This show captured my attention, and for someone seeing this show on stage for the first time, there was not a moment lost on me. Wolfe set up a fantastic container and runway for every artist on stage to tell this story to its fullest according to each performer.
From Left to right: Zachary Daniel Jones, Brendan Sheehan, Audra McDonald, Andrew Kober, Danny Burstein, Jordan Tyson – Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Now Gypsy is not a musical known for innovative choreography, it has amazing dancers who shine and show off, (which the dancers of the show do) but Camille A. Brown brought such an innovative level of choreographic storytelling that truly elevated the original story to a whole new level. A callback to Vaudeville dance styles, soft shoe tap and stylized numbers that affected me in the midst of this grounded story. An energy I never hoped for from the show, but now must never not have in a production of Gypsy.
Then the vocals and musicality of this show were not only technically proficient, but it was always rooted in the acting. Everything was rooted in the acting and the storytelling that Musical theater needs. I notice myself watching shows and when the song comes on, I just listen to the beautiful singing, but this show has powerfully affecting musical numbers and vocal moments that move me and deepen the story, while also sounding stunning and beautiful. Truly what I hope from a night on Broadway.
Audra McDonald – Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Now you might be asking, “What about Audra? How did she do?”
Well, I don’t hate to say this, but she gave a life changing performance.
I left the theater light headed, reluctant to rejoin everyday life after witnessing what I did. And it would be so easy to fill her and everyone in this cast with praise, but there are really no other words other than this exaggerated praise that even gives this cast and Audra and her performance justice. She is truly a historic storyteller shining above and beyond what I ever could hope for in the role of Mama Rose.
Audra McDonald – Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Then accompanied by the most storytelling rooted performances from Joy woods and Jordan Tyson and Danny Burnstein, I mean, it would be impossible not to be flustered after this show. It made me proud to watch this show. Proud to be an avid and passionate theater goer and artist.
Joy Woods, Audra McDonald, George C. Wolfe, Danny Burstein, and Jordan Tyson (L to R) – Photos by Jenny Anderson
There was so much beautiful and proficient artistry happening in this show, from the lighting to the set to the props to the costumes (And I mean THE COSTUMES), it will be an experience I will never forget. Thank you to everyone on this design team deserves every single moment of praise for collectively building this iconic world in 2024 in a brand new yet nostalgic way. The designs complimented the actors and how they existed on stage and in the world of the show, truly Bravo to all on the team.
So make your way to the Majestic Theatre at 245 W 44th Street, as GYPSY opens December 19th 2024.
GYPSY has scenic design by Santo Loquasto, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, sound design by Scott Lehrer, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, makeup design by Michael Clifton, casting by Jordan Thaler CSA/Heidi Griffiths CSA and production stage management by Rick Steiger.
Cast includes Audra McDonald, with Danny Burstein, Joy Woods, Jordan Tyson, Kevin Csolak, Lesli Margherita, Lili Thomas, Mylinda Hull, Jacob Ming-Trent, Kyleigh Denae Vickers, Marley Lianne Gomes, Jade Smith, Natalie Wachen, Tryphena Wade, Shanel Bailey, Jace Bently, Brandon Burks, Hunter Capellán, Tony d’Alelio, Summer Rae Daney, Kellie Jean Hoagland, Sasha Hutchings, Aliah James, Brittney Johnson, Zachary Daniel Jones, Ethan Joseph, Andrew Kober, Krystal Mackie, James McMenamin, Cole Newburg, Joe Osheroff, Majo Rivero, Ken Robinson, Sally Shaw, Thomas Silcott, Brendan Sheehan, Jayden Theophile, Jordan Wynn and Iain Young.
