How casting makes this 'Gypsy' hit different →

Gypsy has been called the best musical of all time, by critics and historians. Its central character, Mama Rose, is the ultimate stage mother and has been catnip for some of the finest musical theater actresses for generations; from Ethel Merman, the 1959 original, to Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Bette Midler and Patti LuPone.

It's now being given a big revival on Broadway, where Mama Rose is being played by six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald. But she's not the only Black actor in a show that is often cast with white actors. Caseen Gaines, author of When Broadway Was Black, said that this race-conscious casting means Gypsy hits different.

"There is colorblind casting and then there is intentional casting for Black actors in roles that have been historically written for white performers," said Gaines. He believes this version of Gypsy makes audiences see the musical in a new way, even though not one line or lyric has been changed. "Rose becomes a very different character in the body of Audra McDonald, and her journey is so different."

Audra McDonald and Joy Woods in *Gypsy*
*Photo: Julieta Cervantes/Gypsy*

Matilda Lawler & More to Star in THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH at Berkeley Rep →

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has revealed the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Thing About Jellyfish, performing at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre from Friday, January 31 through Sunday, March 9, 2025.

The Thing About Jellyfish features Matilda Lawler (HBO’s “Station Eleven” and “The Gilded Age,” The Ferryman on Broadway) in the role of Suzy. She is joined by Jasper Bermudez, Cassidy Brown, Christiana Clark, Sydney Walker Freeman, Andy Grotelueschen, Maxwell Hamilton, Stephanie Janssen, Colby Kipnes, Lexi Perkel, Rebecca Schweitzer, Robert Stanton, Kayla Teruel, and Antonio Watson (listed alphabetically).

(IMDB)

Audra McDonald Electrifies In George C. Wolfe’s Sensational Revival →

The latest revival, shepherded by legendary director and playwright George C. Wolfe and starring Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, is an electric and truly unique production that will undoubtedly become a crowning jewel in the canon of “Gypsy.”

(L-R) Joy Woods, Danny Burstein, Audra McDonald and Jordan Tyson in a promotional photo for “Gypsy” (Credit: Courtesy of Polk & Co.)

Broadway Press Day with ‘Gypsy’ →

In the latest episode of the podcast, hear from Audra McDonald, George C. Wolfe and more about what to expect from the 2024 revival.

Angela “Gypsy.” Tyne Daly “Gypsy.” Bernadette “Gypsy.” Patti “Gypsy.” And now, Audra “Gypsy.” “Gypsy” is such a vehicle for the character of Madame (a.k.a. Mama) Rose that mountings of the musical are distinguished by the first names of the actors playing her. And what illustrious names they are.

Mama Rose has become to musical theater actors what “Hamlet” is to straight play ones. “Mama Rose [is] an enormous character,” six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, who will tackle the role in this 2024 revival, told Broadway News.

OUR TOWN Will Host Autism Friendly Performance in January →

TDF will host an autism-friendly performance of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in January. Tailored for families with members on the autism spectrum or with other developmental or cognitive disabilities, this special matinee will be presented through TDF Autism Friendly Performances program (AFP) on Sunday, January 5 at 2 p.m. at the Barrymore Theatre.

Jim Parsons and the cast of “Our Town” *Daniel Rader*

Tony Awards committee determines eligibilities of 11 productions for 2025 Tonys following first meeting →

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has revealed its first round of eligibility rulings for the 2024-2025 Broadway season. The committee made determinations for 11 productions that have opened so far this season, including “Home,” “Oh, Mary!,” “Job,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “The Roommate,” “The Hills of California,” “McNeal,” “Yellow Face,” “Our Town,” “Left on Tenth” and “Romeo + Juliet.”

The 2018 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall (Credit: Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Exclusive: Broadway’s ‘& Juliet’ announces partnership with healthcare provider for LGBTQIA+ community →

The Broadway production of “& Juliet” has launched a partnership with FOLX Heath, a healthcare provider for the LGBTQIA+ community. The musical has released a limited-edition lapel pin in celebration of Transgender Awareness Week, which runs Nov. 13 through 19. The pin features the ampersand from “& Juliet”’s logo adorned in the colors of the transgender flag.

Original Broadway cast members Lorna Courtney, Betsy Wolfe, Justin David Sullivan and Melanie La Barrie in “& Juliet” (Credit: Matthew Murphy)

Michael McKean and more join ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ on Broadway →

Casting is now complete for the upcoming Broadway revival of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross.” The previously announced production, helmed by Patrick Marber, will open in spring 2025 at a Shubert Organization-owned theater. Newly announced company members include Michael McKean as George Aaronow, Donald Webber Jr. as John Williamson, Howard W. Overshown as Baylen and John Pirruccello as James Lingk.

Michael McKean (Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

Music Theatre International acquires licensing rights to Broadway’s ‘& Juliet’

The licensing rights to 2023 Best Musical Tony Award nominee “& Juliet” have been acquired by Music Theatre International (MTI).

Featuring a Tony-nominated book by David West Read set to a slew of Max Martin pop tunes, “& Juliet” offers an alternate ending to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in which the titular heroine survives and embarks on a journey of female empowerment.

The company of “& Juliet” on Broadway, 2023 (Credit: Matthew Murphy)

Gypsy Broadway Box-Office Opening Will Give Away Signed Window Cards →

The box office at the Majestic Theatre is readying to open for the upcoming Broadway revival of Gypsy starring Audra McDonald, and has a special giveaway planned for the first group of ticket buyers.

The production, directed by Tony winner George C. Wolfe, will begin performances November 21 ahead of a December 19 opening night. The box office will open October 10.

Commemorating the famous 88 cents Rose's father will not give her to expand Baby June's act, the first 88 people in line for tickets October 10 at 10 AM will receive a commemorative limited edition box-office opening window card, signed by production stars McDonald, Danny Burstein, Joy Woods, and Jordan Tyson. The offer is limited to one window card per transaction, and one transaction per person.

Jim Parsons, Kenny Leon & More to Join OUR TOWN Event at Symphony Space →

Join us for a literary mashup celebrating the synergy between New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett's novel Tom Lake and the Pulitzer Prize–winning drama Our Town. At this extraordinary event, Patchett and moderator Jeremy McCarter take the stage with members of the 2024 Broadway production, including director Kenny Leon, actors Zoey Deutch, Jim Parsons, Ephraim Sykes, and more.

Hadestown reveals new West End casting →

New casting has been revealed for the West End production of Hadestown.

The Tony Award-winning musical, which follows two interwoven tales of fraught love in a re-imagined Greek world, is penned by Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin. It continues its run at the Lyric Theatre – where it opened in February and was hailed as “terrific” and “sensational” by WhatsOnStage’s Sarah Crompton – five years on from its sold-out engagement at the National Theatre in 2018.

The London cast is currently led by Dylan Wood (Orphans, No Love Songs), making his West End debut as Orpheus, with Madeline Charlemagne, previously playing one of the Fates, now in the role of Eurydice. Melanie La Barrie stars as Hermes, while the three Fates are presently portrayed by Francessca Daniella-Baker, Bella Brown and Allie Daniel.

Rachel Tucker and Trevor Dion Nicholas, provided by the production uncredited

Alison Luff, Liam Pearce and Nathan Levy will join Broadway’s ‘& Juliet’ →

“& Juliet” has announced a new slate of replacement principal performers and ensemblists. Alison Luff will take over the role of Anne, Liam Pearce will step into the role of Romeo and Michael Iván Carrier will assume the role of May beginning on Oct. 29. They will succeed Betsy Wolfe, Ben Jackson Walker and Justin David Sullivan, respectively.

Additionally, Nathan Levy will join the company at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Nov. 19, taking over the role of François from Philippe Arroyo, who will now exit the production on Oct. 25. From Oct. 27 through Nov. 17, François will be played by understudy Makai Hernandez.

(L-R) Alison Luff, Liam Pearce and Nathan Levy (Credit: Eric Hobbs; Courtesy of Grapevine Public Relations)

Justin David Sullivan to return to ‘& Juliet’ →

After sustaining an injury onstage, actor Justin David Sullivan will return to “& Juliet” beginning on Oct. 1. Sullivan plays the character May, a friend of Juliet’s, in the Tony Award-nominated musical.

That actor was injured during the Aug. 3 evening show at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Prior to that, the production announced that Sullivan — as well as original cast members Philippe Arroyo and Ben Jackson Walker — will play their final performance on Oct. 27.

On Sept. 28, Sullivan posted to their personal Instagram story: “After two months away, I am so excited to share that I will be easing my way back into the show in a limited capacity next week to finish out my run in ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway.”

The actor is set to play six performances each week through Oct. 27.

“& Juliet” is produced by Max Martin and Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Eva Price.

(L-R) Philippe Arroyo and Justin David Sullivan in “& Juliet” on Broadway, 2022 (Credit: Matthew Murphy)

Kevin Csolak, Jacob Ming-Trent and more join revival of ‘Gypsy’

The new production will begin previews on Nov. 21 and open on Dec. 19 at the Majestic Theatre.

Additional casting has been announced for the upcoming new Broadway production of “Gypsy.” Kevin Csolak will play Tulsa and Jacob Ming-Trent will take on the role of Uncle Jocko in the previously announced revival, scheduled to begin previews on Nov. 21 and open on Dec. 19 at the Majestic Theatre.

Csolak has been seen on Broadway as Trip in the 2024 Best Musical Tony Award winner “The Outsiders” and A-rab in the 2020 revival of “West Side Story.” He made his Broadway debut in the 2006 staging of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Additionally, he appeared Off-Broadway in 2023’s “Watch Night.”

Ming-Trent’s Broadway credits include 2008’s “Shrek the Musical” and 2013’s “Hands on a Hardbody.” His extensive Off-Broadway résumé includes a Lucille Lortel Award-winning turn in 2014’s “Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)” and Lortel-nominated performances in 2021’s “The Alchemist” and 2023’s “The Harder They Come.”

Also new to the “Gypsy” company are Kyleigh Denae Vickers as Baby Louise, with Marley Lianne Gomes and Jade Smith as Baby June. The musical’s ensemble will include Shanel Bailey, Jace Bently, Brandon Burks, Hunter Capellán, Tony d’Alelio, Summer Rae Daney, Kellie Jean Hoagland, Aliah James, Brittney Johnson, Zachary Daniel Jones, Ethan Joseph, Andrew Kober, Krystal Mackie, James McMenamin, Cole Newburg, Majo Rivero, Sally Shaw, Brendan Sheehan, Thomas Silcott, Jayden Theophile and Jordan Wynn.

(L-R) Kevin Csolak and Jacob Ming-Trent (Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO)

TikTok Star Charli D’Amelio to Make Broadway Debut in & Juliet →

TikTok Star Charli D’Amelio will make her Broadway debut in the jukebox musical “& Juliet,” a revisionist take on Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

D’Amelio will join the ensemble in the part of Charmian, which has been described by producers as a “dance-heavy role.” She will begin performances on Oct. 29 for a limited three-month engagement through Jan. 19, 2025.

The 20-year-old D’Amelio grew up dancing competitively before joining TikTok and becoming one of the most-followed people on the platform. In 2022, she competed on “Dancing With the Stars” and won the coveted Mirror Ball trophy during the 31st season. D’Amelio also stars in the Hulu reality TV series “The D’Amelio Show” with her family.

Getty Images

Broadway’s ‘& Juliet’ partners with Refinery Hotel for ‘Girls’ Night Out’ →

The Refinery Hotel has announced a partnership with Broadway’s “& Juliet.” The luxury hotel has curated a “Girls’ Night Out Package” experience, centered around attending the Max Martin jukebox musical. The Refinery is located five blocks from the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, home of “& Juliet.” Upon booking the “Girls’ Night Out” package, participants will receive a link to purchase discount tickets to “& Juliet.”

Maya Boyd in “& Juliet” on Broadway, 2024 (Credit: Matthew Murphy)

Lillias White sets return to Broadway’s ‘Hadestown’ →

Lillias White will rejoin the company of “Hadestown.” White will step back into the role of Hermes on Oct. 22 at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre. She will succeed Stephanie Mills, who will play her final performance in the role on Oct. 20.

Lillias White in “Hadestown” on Broadway, 2024 (Credit: Courtesy of DKC/O&M)

‘Our Town’: Kenny Leon’s Broadway Revival Reinvents Grover’s Corners For the Modern World →

Kenny Leon used the original 87-page script as a compass, taking advantage of its famously bare-bones set to create his own version of Grover’s Corner. The eclectic cast is part of what makes Leon’s version of “Our Town” feel less like a revival and more like a rediscovery. “We gotta treat ‘Our Town’ as if it was a world premiere,” he says, aware of the difficulties of launching a play, even one as beloved as Wilder’s drama, on Broadway. “We get one shot to do this, so we can’t treat it like it’s something that’s already existed.”

Company of *Our Town* on Broadway (Daniel Radar)

Joy Woods and Jordan Tyson will appear alongside Audra McDonald in ‘Gypsy’ →

Further principal casting is set for the Audra McDonald-led revival of “Gypsy.” Newly announced co-stars are Joy Woods as Louise and Jordan Tyson as June. “Gypsy” will begin previews on Nov. 21 and open on Dec. 19 at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre. George C. Wolfe will direct and Camille A. Brown will choreograph.