I sank into my seat at the Majestic Theatre, hoping Gypsy would be as grand as I remembered—a tall order for a show I’d never actually seen from the audience. At seventeen, I played Louise in a production alongside Austin Pendleton as Herbie, so while I’ve never watched Gypsy from the other side of the stage, it’s always held a special place in my heart. As soon as the eight-minute overture began—played by a 26-piece orchestra (!)—I knew I was in for a magical, transportive evening.
For a musical I know by heart, this revival—anchored by the inimitable Audra McDonald—made me see Mama Rose in a new light. Audra brings a gentler form of tough love, making the build to the showstopping, standing-ovation number “Rose’s Turn” all the more powerful. She’s magnificent. Even in the scenes where she’s swiping cutlery from restaurants or barking orders at children, Audra’s performance carries a constant, trembling undercurrent of warmth.
As Louise, Joy Woods undergoes a stunning transformation—from an awkward, underperforming tomboy to a magnetic burlesque star commanding the stage. I teared up during her rendition of “Little Lamb,” always my favorite song to perform in the show. And Jordan Tyson shines as June—a role that can easily veer into annoyance. Tyson delivers a captivating, can’t-take-your-eyes-off-her performance as the twirling showbiz star.
I was lucky to be part of a wonderful production of Gypsy (I mean, Austin Pendleton was in it! We also had an orchestra!) but our high school summer theatre program’s costume budget didn’t come close to matching costume designer Toni-Leslie James’ creations. Woods’ transformation into Gypsy Rose Lee is elevated by her wardrobe: the iconic fur coat, a glittering red ensemble, and a floor-length gold sequin flapper dress.
And as much as I rehearsed, my dancing was no match for Woods, who bursts into the stripper scenes with such poise. Choreographer Camille A. Brown brings life into the musical, from the newsboy numbers to the sultry stripteases.
One of the enduring charms of Gypsy is that it doesn’t require grandeur to shine. Its stripped-down, vaudevillian sets evoke a scrappy show-on-the-road spirit. At the heart of it, it’s a show for theatre lovers, those in front of and behind the footlights. I’ll cherish my summer spent rehearsing Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim’s soaring score and sharing scenes with Austin Pendleton, an endearing Herbie.
Needless to say, I left the Majestic Theatre thoroughly satisfied—and with some theatre merch: a navy cap embroidered with the show's title, a perfect keepsake for a perfect revival.
