Audra McDonald Makes History — and Redefines Mama Rose in Broadway’s Gypsy

Audra McDonald Makes History — and Redefines Mama Rose in Broadway’s Gypsy

Audra McDonald has once again made Tony Awards history — this time for her transformative turn as Mama Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy. With her newly announced nomination for Lead Actress in a Musical, McDonald becomes the most Tony-nominated performer in the award’s history, earning her 11th nod.

Already a record holder with six Tony wins — and the only actor to win in all four acting categories — McDonald’s portrayal of Rose marks the first time a Black performer has taken on the role on Broadway. That fact alone carries weight. But it’s what McDonald brings to the part that makes this production singular.

“Mama Rose was never a character I thought I would play,” McDonald said in a statement. “As a Black actor, that door didn’t feel open until my dear friend Gavin Creel planted the idea in my head.”

Creel, a Tony winner himself, passed away in 2024 at the age of 48. His belief in McDonald helped birth a performance that critics have called revelatory — one that reshapes the cultural legacy of Gypsy and adds layers of complexity to a role long dominated by white actresses.

Directed by George C. Wolfe, the production has been hailed for its fresh vision. McDonald credits Wolfe and the ensemble cast, which includes fellow nominees Joy Woods, Danny Burstein, and Camille A. Brown, with helping her bring a new kind of Rose to life.

“It took a long time for the idea to germinate,” she said. “I never would’ve been able to get here without George’s vision and the immense talent of our creative team and cast. I feel so incredibly grateful to share this Gypsy with the world.”

The revival, now playing at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre, puts McDonald at the center of one of musical theater’s most iconic — and emotionally demanding — roles. Mama Rose is a powerhouse: a mother, a hustler, a dreamer, and ultimately, a tragic figure. McDonald’s performance doesn’t just deliver the expected fire; it brings unexpected nuance, informed by her lived experience and singular artistry.

“To be a part of the legacy of one of the most perfect musicals ever written is overwhelming,” McDonald told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m so lucky. Theater gave me joy and purpose as a young girl — it made me feel most like myself. To receive this kind of recognition is something I don’t take lightly.”

McDonald’s nomination not only celebrates her individual brilliance but marks a seismic shift in how roles are cast and who gets to tell which stories. In a show that has often been revived — with legends like Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone having played Rose — McDonald’s interpretation reframes the narrative in essential ways.

As the 2025 Tony Awards approach, McDonald stands not only as a nominee but as a trailblazer. Her Mama Rose is a triumph of talent, vision, and history — a performance that doesn’t just meet expectations, but transforms them.

The 2025 Tony Awards will be held Sunday, June 8, at Radio City Music Hall and hosted by Cynthia Erivo, a Tony, Emmy, and GRAMMY Award-winner and three-time Oscar nominee. 

This year’s ceremony will return to the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City, broadcasting LIVE to both coasts on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (8:00 – 11:00 PM ET/5:00 – 8:00 PM PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.*.