Audra McDonald becomes most Tony Award-nominated performer in history
The actress, up for her star turn as Momma Rose in the classic musical revival, is already the most Tony-winning performer ever with six prizes to her name.
With her 11th Tony Award nomination, for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Gypsy, Audra McDonald is now the most Tony-nominated performer in Broadway history. She is already the most Tony-winning performer in history with six wins as of 2014.
McDonald made her Broadway debut as a replacement in 1991's The Secret Garden and, in 1994, went on to originate her first Broadway role: Carrie Pipperidge in a revival of Carousel. She won her first Tony for that performance, and she later won for Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.
Additional nominations were for Marie Christine, 110 in the Shade, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and, most recently, Ohio State Murders in 2022. Learn more about Audra McDonald's Broadway career.
In Gypsy, a revival of the 1959 classic, she tackles the lead role of Momma Rose, an iconic part played by fellow Broadway legends like Ethel Merman, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone over the years. Momma Rose is known as the ultimate "stage mother" who does anything she must to make her two daughters into vaudeville stars.
"As a Black actor, Rose was never a character I thought I would play until my dear friend Gavin Creel planted the idea in my head," McDonald said in a written statement about her nomination. "It took a long time for the idea to germinate, and I never would’ve been able to get here without the vision of our director George C. Wolfe, and the immense talent of our creative team and cast. I feel so incredibly grateful to share this Gypsy with the world and to be a part of the legacy of one of the most perfect musicals ever written."
Gypsy is nominated for four additional Tony Awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Choreography (for Camille A. Brown), and acting honors for Danny Burstein and Joy Woods.
Photo credit: Audra McDonald in Gypsy on Broadway. (Photo by Julieta Cervantes)
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gypsy playing?
Gypsy is playing at Majestic Theatre . The theatre is located at 245 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.
How long is Gypsy?
The running time of Gypsy is 2hr 45min. Incl. 15min intermission.
What is Gypsy about?
Here she is, boys; here she is, world! See Broadway legend Audra McDonald star in what is widely celebrated one of the greatest musicals ever written. McDonald embodies the stage mother to end all stage mothers in this based-on-a-true story of the life of burlesque icon Gypsy Rose Lee. Gypsy is now nominated for five Tony Awards.
How do you book tickets for Gypsy?
Book tickets for Gypsy on New York Theatre Guide.
What's the age requirement for Gypsy?
The recommended age for Gypsy is Ages 10+. Children under 4 years old will not be admitted..
What are the song in Gypsy?
Gypsy features some classic songs including “Let Me Entertain You,” “Rose's Turn,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” The big and brassy score aligns with its protagonist: the biggest dreamer of them all, Momma Rose.
Who wrote Gypsy?
Famed musical theatre writers Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics, respectively. Arthur Laurents, hot off of the success of West Side Story, wrote the book.
Who directed Gypsy?
Three-time Tony Award winner and Broadway legend George C. Wolfe directs the production. He’s also an Emmy nominee and Drama Desk winner.
Is Gypsy appropriate for kids?
Gypsy is recommended for ages 10 and up. Children under 4 years old are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
Is Gypsy good?
Audra McDonald is a first-class, once-in-a-generation talent. Known for her soaring vocals and acting chops of steel, the production is one of the buzziest in recent memory, and the Washington Post agrees: she is "unforgettable, and were there any justice, this Rose would have been a star."
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