Joy Woods, Audra McDonald (Photo: Julieta Cervantes)

Gypsy

By Deirdre Donovan

Gypsy -that revered American musical--is back on Broadway! Led by six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, and directed by the legendary George C. Wolfe, this much-anticipated revival features three Black women in principal roles, bringing a whole new vibe to the classic.

Suggested by the memoirs of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy brings alive the quintessential pushy stage mother. The musical follows the dreams and efforts of Rose as she raises her daughters to perform on stage.

Of course, it's a delight to revisit the classic, replete with Jule Styne's music, Stephen Sondheim's lyrics, and Arthur Laurents' book. Not a word has been changed in Laurents' book, but it has been recontextualized in this new color-conscious production with McDonald as Mama Rose, Joy Woods as Louise, and Jordan Tyson as Dainty June.

Indeed, lines simply land differently when spoken by a Black woman. Take Mama Rose's response to Louise's question on why she pursued stardom for her girls and not herself: "Because I was born too soon but started too late!" Given the history of Blacks in America, Mama Rose's answer takes on a deeper -and darker--meaning.

Gypsy debuted on Broadway on May 21, 1959, under the direction of Jerome Robbins, who also choreographed the show. It's been touted both as the greatest American musical ever conceived and the King Lear of musical theater. But no matter what honorific you give it, Gypsy has real staying power. The current go-round is its sixth appearance on the Great White Way.   

Danny Burstein, Joy Woods, Audra McDonald (Photo: Julieta Cervantes)

The role of Rose is also catnip for actresses. Ever since Ethel Merman stepped in as the original Rose in 1959, other fine actresses have yearned to tackle the role. The notables to date who have graced the Broadway stage as Rose are the aforementioned Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Patti Lapone, and now McDonald.

McDonald's Rose is like a tornado who tends to sweep up everything-including people-in her path. "You look like a pioneer woman without a frontier," quips Herbie (Daniel Burstein), meeting Rose at a try-out. Just minutes later, Rose has persuaded him to join the act and become their agent.

Of course, McDonald's true ace-in-the-hole is her powerhouse voice. A classically trained soprano, she has an incredible range and the verses flowing from her mouth sound like liquid gold. Whether one thinks her best vocal moment comes in "Everything's Coming Up Roses" or "Rose's Turn," there's no question that McDonald is at the top of her game in both these songs.

Still, McDonald isn't the only one on stage. In fact, there are many strong performances from the large cast. Marley Lianne Gomes, as Baby June, is well cast, turning cartwheels and doing splits as she coyly screeches her ditty, "Let Me Entertain You."  Jordan Tyson plays Dainty June with a good deal of spunk, foreshadowing her later independence from her mother. Joy Woods is spot-on as Louise, transforming from the daughter with supposedly no talent to big time burlesque star. Burstein, as Herbie, serves as the perfect foil for Rose-and adds a dash of romance as Rose's possible husband four. The three ecdysiasts -- Tessie Tura, Electra, and Mazeppa--are played by Lesli Margherita, Mylinda Hull, and Lili Thomas, respectively, and are a hoot singing their famous song "You Gotta Get a Gimmick."  Triple threat Kevin Csolak, as Tulsa, fires on all cylinders as he sings "All I Really Need is the Girl," topped off with a terrific tap dance.

The creatives have all hands on deck. Santo Loquasto's realistic sets reflect the hard-luck life of Rose and her brood. Camille A. Brown's choreography delivers--but it won't make you forget Jerome Robbins original choreography for Gypsy. Toni-Leslie James' costumes range from the adorable (Baby June's frocks), to the elegant (Mama Rose's dresses), to the garish (the burlesque dancers).

Joy Woods, Kevin Csolak  (Photo: Julieta Cervantes)

Wolfe deftly directs this fresh iteration of Gypsy. Although the musical is set in the early 1920s when vaudeville was fading out, he doesn't take us on a trip to nostalgia-land. In fact, his Gypsy smacks of real-life in every scene. Case in point: he reportedly drew inspiration for the burlesque dances in Act 2 by arranging a visit to the Midnight Theatre in Chelsea, accompanied by Gypsy's choreographer Brown, to see a burlesque dancer named Angie Pontani perform. It purportedly helped him to direct the burlesque scene in Gypsy with more truth.

Those theatergoers who like their musical theater on the cutting edge will find this Gypsy invigorating. It honors the original while being right in step with our times.

Gypsy

At the Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 45 St.

For more information, visit www.gypsybway.com.

Running time: 2 hours; 40 minutes with intermission.