Audra McDonald Reflects on Iconic 'Gypsy' Role in Vinyl Cast Recording

Audra McDonald, the acclaimed Broadway star, is excited about the recent vinyl release of the 2024 Broadway cast recording of 'Gypsy'. The six-time Tony winner describes the presentation as "gorgeous" and says it captures the "old-fashioned" charm of the musical.

Despite her enthusiasm for the album, McDonald reveals she has no plans to listen to it anytime soon. "No, no, no," she tells Billboard, explaining that she's "too close to it right now" and wouldn't be able to enjoy it the way an average listener would. McDonald has the same aversion to all her past cast recordings, preferring to let at least a decade pass before revisiting her own performances.

The 'Gypsy' album, however, is no ordinary cast recording. McDonald's nuanced portrayal of the iconic Mama Rose has been widely praised, with critics highlighting the "pained nuance" and "tortured, empathetic humanity" she brings to the role. Her renditions of classic songs like "Some People" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" are described as magnificent, but it's her emotional breakdown during "Rose's Turn" that truly resonates with listeners.

McDonald acknowledges the challenges of stepping into such an iconic role, saying that "everybody is an expert" on how it should be played. But she firmly believes that only those who have actually performed the part can truly understand its complexities. As for offering advice to the current Sarah in 'Ragtime', McDonald simply suggests leaving the character at the theater and not taking the emotional weight of the role home.

At this stage in her career, McDonald has learned how to compartmentalize her emotionally demanding roles, though she did admit to accidentally slipping into her Mama Rose persona during a recent TV shoot. Overall, the acclaimed actress seems pleased with the feedback she's received, particularly from her own daughters, who were able to appreciate the depth of her performance.