Broadway Revival of Gypsy to Close Early

The Broadway revival of 'Gypsy' starring Audra McDonald as Rose will close on August 17 at the Majestic Theatre, ending far earlier than its originally planned open-ended run after 28 previews and 269 performances. Directed by George C. Wolfe, the production is notable for casting McDonald as the first Black actress to play Rose on Broadway, a move praised for deepening the show's racial resonance. Despite five Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress for McDonald, 'Gypsy' did not win any awards and is the sixth musical to close since the recent Tonys. While initially drawing strong box office numbers, the revival saw attendance settle at around 70% capacity and drop further during McDonald's absences. The production was lauded for its fidelity to the original and its groundbreaking casting, with representatives of the Laurents and Sondheim estates calling McDonald's performance historic. The early closure reflects ongoing financial challenges on Broadway, even for critically acclaimed and high-profile shows.