CONFIRMED: Audra McDonald-led GYPSY to begin previews Nov 2024 — Page 2

Kad said: "Wasn’t George C. Wolfe rumored to be attached as director when this was a Rudin venture? Would love for that to come to pass.

Would also love to see a woman director’s take on the show."

Please not Lonny Price!

Wonder who's producing this. Tom Kirdahy? Jeffrey Richards? They're the two non-Rudin producers she's worked with most recently. I believe Roundabout was, at one point, attached to the Jonathan Kent/Imelda Staunton revival.

Updated On: 1/4/24 at 02:54 PM

George C Wolfe really could be a great director for this. If Audra is indeed Rose, I hope they lean into the performer being Black and how that changes the dynamics of her relationships, instead of making it a "color-blind" production.

Herbie is such a thankless role that anyone the caliber of Stokes would be a waste. Having said that, Raul Esparza has been away from Broadway for way too long and would be a great Herbie...

These casting suggestions all fall into the makes sense category. When we all know nothing gets traditional casting anymore.

I see a black Mama Rose, with a white Herbie, an Asian American June and a trans Louise. Or maybe a trans Tulsa.

We'll see!

Non-Jewish actress gets dragged for playing Fanny Brice.

Non-white actress gets accolades for maybe playing Rose Hovick.

What way does the street go again?

Alex Kulak2 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Rentaholic2 said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "I wonder if the discourse about the name will start again. If they're going to change it, rolling it out with a new production would help smooth things over with the die-hard originalists."

Sorry if I'm late to the game, but...what discourse about the name?"


Some people take issue with the word "Gypsy" describing a person in the transient world of the performing arts.

From the Wikipedia page about the Legacy Robe (née Gypsy Robe) ––



The exact origins of the original name "gypsy robe" are not known, however theatre historians believe it to relate to the travelling lifestyle of early 20th century American actors, which was associated withclichés about the supposed lifestyle of Romani people. Eventually, "gypsy" became a common term in the theatre profession when referring to Broadway dancers, some of whom would embrace the term as a form of self-identity.[7]

In the 2010s, with an increased awareness of diversity issues in the theater profession, usage of the term became less common, and Actor's Equity decided that they did not want to have the tradition of the robe associated with what many perceived to be an ethnic slur. On April 18, 2018, they announced that the name of robe would be changed at the end of the current theater season. A poll was opened to union members to vote on a new name.[8][9]The new name chosen is the "Legacy Robe"; the first Legacy Robe presentation took place on July 26, 2018, during the musicalHead Over Heels.[1]"

Thisis a great video essay from And Now They Sing about the discourse, and the argument for changing the name of the show (they even called Audra McDonald playing Mama Rose!)"



Wow, did not know about any of this. Seems like modern-day theater audiences are plenty capable of distinguishing between the use of the word as a slur and the common colloquial English use. At any rate, highly doubt they will change the name.

TotallyEffed said: "This thread is going to hell real quick."

Apologies, did not mean to revive the "discourse" - I just had no idea this was ever something people were concerned about.

Back to the main topic - I found the audio of Audra signing Rose's Turn and noticed that she raises the key for the latter part of the song, which is obviously a better fit for her voice. As great as she is, the number just isn't quite as thrilling to me when sung by a soprano in her style. But she'll of course slay regardless.

TotallyEffed said: "I am always up for Gypsy and I’m always up for Audra but it’s hard for me to imagine anyone ever topping LuPone. One of the most remarkable performances I’ve ever seen on stage. The good news is Audra will bring something totally different to the role."

While Patti was fantastic (as was the rest of the cast), the physical prodution was very lackluster with cheap sets and costumes. I know it was a quick NYCC transfer but I'm really hoping the Audra production is lush and beautiful.

Rentaholic2 said: "TotallyEffed said: "This thread is going to hell real quick."

Apologies, did not mean to revive the "discourse" - I just had no idea this was ever something people were concerned about.

Back to the main topic - I found the audio of Audra signing Rose's Turn and noticed that she raises the key for the latter part of the song, which is obviously a better fit for her voice. As great as she is, the number just isn't quite as thrilling to me when sung by a soprano in her style. But she'll of course slay regardless."



Hey, care to share pls where you found it looked can't find

I listened to the audio too. Just search for it in Tumblr. It's not great. There is great dramatic intensity, but the soprano really doesn't work. I'm all for changing keys, a la Barbara Cook or Imelda Staunton in Follies, or Patti LuPone in the 2005 Sweeney Todd, but this is like making Butterfly or Mimi a mezzo, or making Carmen a soprano. I just don't think it works. Can Audra not belt? There is a wonderful audio on YouTube of Victoria Clark singing Everything's Coming up Roses in a Sondheim revue from 20 years ago, and she belts the whole thing and she sounds extraordinary. Audra will by far be the most unconventional Rose. She will act the sh!t out of it, that's for sure.

Updated On: 1/4/24 at 07:50 PM

Musicaldudepeter said: "I listened to the audio too. Just search for it in Tumblr. It's not great. There is great dramatic intensity, but the soprano really doesn't work. I'm all for changing keys, a la Barbara Cook or Imelda Staunton in Follies, or Patti LuPone in the 2005 Sweeney Todd, but this is like making Butterfly or Mimi a mezzo, or making Carmen a soprano. I just don't think it works. Can Audra not belt? There is a wonderful audio on YouTube of Victoria Clark singing Everything's Coming up Roses in a Sondheim revue from 20 years ago, and she belts the whole thing and she sounds extraordinary. Audra will by far be the most unconventional Rose. She will act the sh!t out of it, that's for sure."

There was a time in the early aughts where Audra was doing a lot of belting but I think a moment came where she decided to fully embrace being a soprano. People forget she did not *want* to be an operatic soprano. She's talked about the journey of growing to love it.

Rentaholic2 said: "TotallyEffed said: "This thread is going to hell real quick."

Apologies, did not mean to revive the "discourse" - I just had no idea this was ever something people were concerned about.

Back to the main topic - I found the audio of Audra signing Rose's Turn and noticed that she raises the key for the latter part of the song, which is obviously a better fit for her voice. As great as she is, the number just isn't quite as thrilling to me when sung by a soprano in her style. But she'll of course slay regardless."

Would love to hear it!

Rentaholic2 said: "Wow, did not know about any of this. Seems like modern-day theater audiences are plenty capable of distinguishing between the use of the word as a slur and the common colloquial English use. At any rate, highly doubt they will change the name."

While I don't think the name is going to change obviously, the slur and the "common colloquial English use" are tied at the hip. The latter became common because of the former. Didn't just "pop up" separately. While this isn't a call for renaming, we also shouldn't pretend that Gypsy Rose Lee's name wasn't chosen with intent.