Joy Woods to Join Audra McDonald in the Anticipated Broadway Revival of “Gypsy”

Performances for the revival begin at the Majestic Theatre in New York City on Nov. 21 ahead of an official opening on Dec. 19

Joy Woods is staying booked and busy!

The actress, of Six and Little Shop of Horrors fame, will remain on the boards this fall, moving from Broadway's The Notebook — in which she originated the role of Middle Allie — to join Audra McDonald in the highly anticipated revival of Gypsy.

It's a gig that comes as The Notebook gets ready to take its final bow. The stage musical adaptation of the 1996 Nicholas Sparks novel and 2004 movie of the same name will play its final performance at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Dec. 15.

Related: See Broadway's The Notebook Star Joy Woods in Emotional 'My Days' Video Directed by Ingrid Michaelson (Exclusive)

Woods will depart the musical early to prep for Gypsy, which begins performances at the Majestic Theatre in New York City on Nov. 21 ahead of an official opening on Dec. 19. Her last show in The Notebook will be Oct. 20.

She won't be going alone, either. Leaving alongside Woods to join the Gypsy cast will be Jordan Tyson, who plays Younger Allie. Her last performance will be Oct. 6.

In the new revival of Gypsy, directed by George C. Wolfe, Woods will play Louise — the elder daughter of McDonald's relentless stage mom, Rose — while Tyson will play June, Louise's sister and the center of the family vaudeville act. Throughout the course of the story, Louise grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee, the legendary burlesque entertainer, stripper and actress whose mostly fictional 1957 memoir was used as the basis for the 1959 musical.

Other newly named Gypsy cast members include Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (as “Tessie Tura"), Lili Thomas (as "Miss Mazeppa") and Mylinda Hull (as “Miss Electra").

Tony winner Danny Burstein will play Herbie, Rose's love interest.

Gypsy is widely been considered to be the greatest musical of all time, often dubbed "The King Lear of Broadway musicals." Featuring a score by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), the show is filled with show tune staples like "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," "Together, Wherever We Go" and "Roses Turn."

Beloved quotes often spoken in pop culture like "Sing out, Louise" and "I'm a pretty girl, mama" can be traced back to Arthur Laurents' book, too.

The musical has been revived countless times, with renowned Broadway actresses including Tyne Daly, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone playing Rose on stage. The role was originated by Ethel Merman, and has been seen on screen in movies starring Rosalind Russell (1962), Bette Midler (1993) and a filmed version of the 2015 London revival starring Imelda Staunton.

Related: George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Robert Downey Jr. and All the Stars Heading to Broadway

McDonald, 54, is the first Black woman ever to tackle the part on Broadway. The most decorated stage actor of our time with six acting Tony Awards — the most of any performer — McDonald was the perfect choice for producers Tom Kirdahy and Mara Isaacs when they were looking to bring Gypsy back.

"When we began this journey we had the specific dream of pairing Audra McDonald, our most lauded stage actress, with legendary director George C. Wolfe in a musical deemed by many to be the greatest," the said in a statement back in May. "We could not be more honored to bring this particular Gypsy to the Broadway stage."

Further casting for Gypsy will be announced at a latter time.

This production will also have the distinction of being the first to play the Majestic Theatre. The iconic Manhattan venue, first opened in 1927, has been undergoing renovations since The Phantom of the Opera closed in February 2023.

Tickets for Gypsy are now on sale.

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