Gypsy

 Gypsy
Majestic Theatre
June 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of Gypsy

Audra McDonald puts her unique brand on the iconic role of Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy.  Director George C. Wolfe found the urgency that drives every scene.  All the characters are fueled by a primal energy, a yearning for their desires and deep seeded need.  It gives this production a cutting-edge nuance.  Camille A. Brown’s choreography is a truly new take on this Broadway classic.  The movements are fully grounded in character.  Her dances propel the action and enhance the story.  The cast and ensemble are phenomenal. 

Rose (played by Audra McDonald) is pushing her two young daughters, Baby June (played by Mila Jaymes) and Baby Louise (played by Kyleigh Vickers) into show business.  Rose believes that June has all the talent.  Louise works extra hard to back up her sister.  Rose steals from her father (played by Thomas Silcott) to follow her dream and build a full act for the girls.  When she is auditioning the act, she meets Herbie (played by Danny Burstein).  Rose convinces him to represent them, and he starts obtaining bookings on the vaudeville circuit.  Rose refuses to see that the girls are outgrowing the act.  June (played by Jordan Tyson) runs off with Tulsa, one of the dancers in the show (played by Kevin Csolak), leaving Louise (played by Joy Woods) to take over.  Rose builds a whole new act around Louise, but since vaudeville is dying, they wind up taking a booking in a burlesque house.  Rose gives in and decides to marry Herbie at the end of their contract.  When the star stripper does not show up for her number, Rose does what she does best.  She pushes Louise into the spotlight. 

Joy Woods, Audra McDonald, & Danny Burstein
Photo courtesy of Gypsy

Audra McDonald roars as Rose.  She is determined, protective, and fearless.  Danny Burstein brings a
new fire to the character of Herbie.  He and Ms. McDonald have amazing chemistry.  They are an equal match.  Their characters go head to head, and always find the balance that keeps them moving forward.  

The most challenging part of playing the role of Louise is portraying her transition from a tomboy into a young woman.  Joy Woods handles this with skill and grace.  She matures from one scene to the next, creating a gradual change that shows the passage of time as the action unfolds.  By the end of the show, she is a queen in her own right, and the audience has seen it unfold one moment at a time.  

Joy Woods & Audra McDonald
Photo courtesy of Gypsy

Jordan Tyson portrays June with feisty energy.  The character is fueled by frustration, caused by her mother’s expectation.  This plays very well against Ms. Woods’ Louise, who is always working to decelerate the conflict between June and Rose.  June’s decision to leave with Tulsa is hurtful to Rose, yet it is clear by Ms. Tyson’s portrayal that it is fully motivated by her anger toward her mother and made with total disregard for her feelings.

Gypsy is playing at the Majestic Theatre.  It is an energized revival with a stellar cast, who all deliver tremendous performances. 

Domenick Danza

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Booth Theatre

April 13, 2019

Photo courtesy of
Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Taylor Mac weaves together layers of laughter and grief mixed with hope and despair in Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus.  His writing is boldly satirical.  He moves in and out of metaphoric verse, giving the audience opportunities to ponder what lies beyond their own understanding in order to see the larger possibilities for transformation and healing.

It is the fall of the Holy Roman Empire and a street clown, Gary (played by Nathan Lane), has been promoted to maid.  His job is to clean up the dead bodies fallen from the carnage, and prepare the palace for the inauguration of the new Emperor.  The job, though overwhelming, seems simple enough, until he meets his supervisor, Janice (played by Kristine Nielsen).  She is determined to get the job done right and refuses to fall behind schedule due to Gary's trifling.  In his efforts to transform the tragedy that is all around him into comedy, Gary envisions a new genre, a “foolery,” which is comedy with a deep and serious theme.  Just as Janice is beginning to buy into Gary’s “foolery,” Carol (played by Julie White) emerges from beneath the pile of carcasses.  She was midwife to Tamora, and is obsessed with the fact that she failed to save Tamora’s baby before her throat was cut by Aaron.  Gary begins to think his idea of a “foolery” to change the future is not going to work.  When Carol locates and rescues the baby, Gary regains his confidence and begins to rethink his plan.   

Nathan Lane as Gary
Photo courtesy of Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

The true brilliance of the production is that immediately following bombastic humor, Nathan Lane and Kristine Nielsen shift the tone to sincere introspection.  Director George C. Wolfe shows a strong grasp of Mr. Mac’s writing in these transitions.  These moments are where absurdity meets truth, and we realize that our laughter is a defense against the extreme, not in acceptance of it.  

Mr. Mac brings hope for the future in the form of the baby thought to be lost.  His most prolific moments are when he pulls in the events from Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.  I strongly recommend googling the synopsis before attending the play.  The themes will reverberate more soundly if you know these details.

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus is playing at the Booth Theatre.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza

Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All that Followed

Shuffle Along

or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All that Followed

The Music Box

April 9, 2016

Photo courtesy of Shuffle Along

There is something amazing happening on the stage at the Music Box.  Audra MacDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Billy Porter lead a tremendously skilled cast and ensemble of twenty-six singers/dancers in a show that is powerful, entertaining, informative and thought provoking.  Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All that Followed tells the story as clearly as the title states.  It has the original music and lyrics by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle, arrangements and orchestrations by Daryl Waters, and a new book by George C. Wolfe.  Savion Glover’s choreography is astounding!  He recreates the style and syncopation of the era with his own signature and flair.

The first act tells about how F.E. Miller (played by Brian Stokes Mitchell) and Aubrey Lyles (played by Billy Porter) teamed up with composer Eubie Blake (played by Brandon Victor Dixon) and lyricist Noble Sissle (played by Joshua Henry) to write a new musical for Broadway that challenged their creative voices in ways the social and racial norms would not allow.  Their show stars Lottie Gee (played by Audra MacDonald) and Gertrude Saunders, who is later replaced by Florence Mills (both roles played by Adrienne Warren).  Each scene chronicles their struggle and fortitude.  They never falter from moving toward achieving their goal, which is proudly illustrated in the Act I finale with the bold and vivacious production number from the original Shuffle Along. 

Photo courtesy of Shuffle Along

The second act follows the rise to fame and tragic downfall of this little known creative team.  Mr. Wolfe’s book gives a stylistic insight into the cultural limitations of the time and the historic significance of these artists’ unsung contribution.  His most well written and directed scenes are ones that elucidate the love affair between Eubie Blake and Lottie Gee.  Audra MacDonald and Brandon Victor Dixon have a phenomenal chemistry in these roles.  Their characters are multi-dimensional and full of heart, charm, and determination.  Ms. MacDonald has a number of strong moments that reveal the desperate need of her character after years of personal and professional struggle.  Billy Porter and Brian Stokes Mitchell also have a strong chemistry as the comic writing duo of Miller and Lyles.  Their timing is a reflection of their backstory and relationship.  Billy Porter delivers a heart wrenching, show stopping number in the second act. 

One of the ingenious points of Mr. Wolfe’s book is the way he has addresses actors playing numerous roles.  His casting in these instances is phenomenal.  Brooks Ashmanskas plays a number of these roles with dexterity, humor, and commitment.  Adrienne Warren has a powerful singing voice and versatile acting skills that is gallantly shown off in the roles she undertakes. 

The show has a few more weeks of previews before it opens on April 28.  There is still work to be done to tighten up the impact of the story, yet this creative team is sure to deliver.  It is an awe-inspiring effort, envisioned and led by Mr. Wolfe, which is sure to have an extraordinary pay off.  For more historic details about the original production of Shuffle Along, read the New York Times Magazine section article from March 27.  It will inspire you to buy a ticket. 

Photo courtesy of Shuffle Along

Domenick Danza