Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:34pm

Would anyone else LOVE to see Audra play Rose? I think it could be incredible, she has the voice and she is a great actress. In a few years obviously but I think she should be the next Mama Rose. Any thoughts?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:35pm

The next Gypsy should really be all-black.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:37pm

That could work... couldn't it?

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:38pm

An all-black Gypsy could be amazing! I'm not quite sure about Audra though.....

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:39pm

Nope not Audra, Tonya Pinkins.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:40pm

I loved Audra and I think she's wonderful, but I don't think she's right for GYPSY. She could act it, but her singing voice isn't right- it's too legit. I think Rose should really be played by a belter.

If we're talking an all-black cast, give me Tonya Pinkins. Hell, give me Pinkins anyway, she'd be phenomenal!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:43pm

Tonya Pinkins. Anika Noni Rose. Ben Vereen. Kenita R. Miller. Bobby Daye.

DONE. THERE'S YOUR REVIVAL.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:47pm

Tonya Pinkins for Rose and Audra for Louise, granted she's ten years older than Laura Benanti, but she looks younger than Laura.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:58pm

I think Laura looks older than she is, but I never thought she read too old onstage.

Audra could've made a pretty good Louise, but now she's too old. And as for Rose...I can't see it.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:05pm

I would die if there was an all-black gypsy. This is what broadway needs.

[tellybox]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:11pm

I would be on the first plane to NYC with your cast, Piragua

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:18pm

Even if they just do an album, it would be great.

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:19pm

For someone to take the financial risk for this, they'd need a name, like Queen Latifah as Rose.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:22pm

Well, Latifah could certainly sing it!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:23pm

Latifah might actually be a decent choice...

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:24pm

More importantly, she can act it.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:30pm

LATIFAH? I love the girl, but NO.

Tonya Pinkins as Mama Rose
Anika Noni Rose as Gypsy Rose Lee
Norm Lewis as Herbie
Heather Headley as June
Usher as Tulsa (and there is your star name)

Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Tessie Tura
Queen Latifah as Mezzeppa
Phylisha Raschad as Electra

Updated On: 5/19/09 at 10:30 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:03pm

if Norm Lewis is in it, are they adding a strip scene for Herbie?
;D

[yeah]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:04pm

I'm surprised that black actors aren't offended by the lack of original material; instead, people are just taking classics and making them "all-black," as if that will make it better or give it some relevance.

I'd rather see Tonya Pinkins and Audra McDonald in an original piece rather than see them play parts they're not right for just for the sake of an "all-black" production.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:11pm

Usher? I can't wait for the window card.

USHER
GYPSY

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:15pm

Tonya Pinkins, puhleeze!!! Maybe if you want another Bernadette Peters snoozefest performance.

The only woman worthy of playing Rose is Lillias White.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:24pm

I agree, Lillias White should be Mama Rose if there's an all-black production. I don't think Audra really has the right sound to pull off Rose.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:29pm

Puhleez. USHER GYPSY would be WAY better than LUPONE GYPSY.

Can't you just see all those picture-takers in the audience getting USHER'd out of the theatre?!

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:40pm

She's really not a belter, but she can belt when she wants to. I'm sure that Audra would act the crap out of that part. Personally I'd see her in anything. She could play Sweeney Todd, and I'd love it.
Updated On: 5/20/09 at 11:40 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:42pm

Audra Macdonald as Sweeney Todd? Now THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING!!!