‘Gypsy’ revival announces final Broadway performance

The Broadway revival of "Gypsy," starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as the iconic stage mother Rose, will conclude its run at the Majestic Theatre on August 17, 2025, after 269 regular performances and 28 previews.

Production Run and Cast

After opening at the newly renovated Majestic Theatre on December 19, 2024, following previews that began on November 1, the George C. Wolfe-directed revival showcased a stellar cast alongside Audra McDonald. The production featured Tony Award winner Danny Burstein as Herbie, Tony Award nominee Joy Woods as Louise, and Jordan Tyson as June. Supporting roles were filled by an ensemble of Broadway talents including Kevin Csolak as Tulsa, Lesli Margherita as Tessie Tura, Lili Thomas as Mazeppa, and Mylinda Hull as Electra, with the production also featuring alternating performers for the child roles of Baby Louise and Baby June. The revival was particularly notable for McDonald being the first Black actress to portray Rose in a major Broadway production of this classic musical.imdb+3

Tony Award Nominations

Despite earning five Tony Award nominations in the 2025 ceremony, including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress for McDonald, the production failed to secure any wins. In one of Broadway's most anticipated award races, McDonald lost the Best Actress category to Nicole Scherzinger, who won for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in "Sunset Blvd." Scherzinger's emotional acceptance speech resonated with the audience as she thanked her fellow nominees, including McDonald, whom she called one of the "exceptional warrior women" of Broadway.imdb+3

Other nominations for "Gypsy" included Best Featured Actor (Danny Burstein), Best Featured Actress (Joy Woods), and Best Choreography. The production did fare better at other ceremonies, winning the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical and Outstanding Revival of a Musical.broadwayworld

Critical Reception

Critical response to McDonald's portrayal of Rose was deeply divided, creating one of Broadway's most polarizing performances of the season. Many critics praised her "powerhouse portrayal" that brought "emotional intensity" to the role, with reviewers noting she performed a "psychological striptease" that revealed more of Rose's rage than her predecessors. However, her operatic vocal style became a major point of contention, with some audience members and critics finding her refined soprano voice misaligned with the brassy requirements of songs like "Rose's Turn."imdb+3

As one viewer commented, "Her acting was superb! I just wanted belting for 'Rose's Turn.' Her operatic head voice didn't do it for me." The production itself received mixed assessments, with some calling George C. Wolfe's direction "deeply intelligent and beautifully mounted," while others criticized elements as "cheap" and "lacking charm." Despite the divisive reception, McDonald's significance as the first Black Rose on Broadway was widely acknowledged as bringing additional depth to the character's "complex knot of hurt, defiance, and rage."broadwayworld+2

Closure Details

Though announced on July 16, 2025, the closure will come after an August 17th final performance, giving theatergoers only four more weeks to see what promotional materials called "the greatest Broadway musical of all time." The production's box office performance had been inconsistent, with strong initial grosses declining mid-winter and never fully recovering – a June 2025 week saw $1,287,579.88 in sales, but by early July numbers had dropped to just $293,902.82. This pattern mirrors historical challenges for "Gypsy" revivals; the 2008 production starring Patti LuPone also closed at a financial loss despite critical acclaim. Both "Gypsy" and its Tony-winning competitor "Sunset Blvd." (starring Nicole Scherzinger) will end their runs within days of each other, with "Sunset Blvd." scheduled to close on July 20, 2025.imdb+4