Audra McDonald Reacts to Her Historic 11th Tony Nomination, Reflects On “Tornado” of a Role in ‘Gypsy’

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Audra McDonald became the most Tony-nominated performer in history Thursday. 

McDonald received her 11th nomination for the Tony Awards, this time for her exceptional performance as Rose in Gypsy on Broadway. Previously, she shared the record with the late Julie Harris and Chita Rivera, who had both been nominated ten times each.

The actress has already garnered more Tonys than any other performer in history, having won six Tony Awards for her roles in the productions of ‘Carousel’ in 1994, ‘Master Class’ in 1996, ‘Ragtime’ in 1998, ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ in 2004, ‘Porgy and Bess’ in 2012, and ‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill’ in 2014.

However, when McDonald was informed by her spouse, actor Will Swenson, about her nomination and the fact that she had broken a new record, she found herself in a state of shock and unbelief.

McDonald expressed profound gratitude and astonishment upon reflecting on his current situation. He feels incredibly fortunate as theater performance was his lifelong dream and the one thing that brought him joy, gave him purpose, and helped him be true to himself. To now have this level of recognition is almost too much to comprehend for him, as it still seems surreal. He is grateful, but struggles to fully absorb this reality,” McDonald shared with The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday morning.

McDonald’s consideration for playing the character of Rose, the ambitious stage mother whose younger daughter becomes a star while her older one rises as burlesque icon Gypsy Rose Lee, hadn’t crossed her mind until around eight years ago, sparked by her friend, the late actor Gavin Creel, who encouraged her to embrace this legendary role and portray it with a Black perspective. Prior to this revival, Rose had been portrayed by several prominent actresses, including Ethel Merman (who originated the role in 1959), Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, and Bernadette Peters.

In summary, the George C. Wolfe-directed production earned a total of five nominations, with actress Joy Woods and actor Danny Burstein among those recognized for their performances.

Following the announcement of the nominations on Thursday, McDonald opted to have an iced matcha latte with lavender froth and an apple fritter delivered via DoorDash. Meanwhile, Swenson presented her with a Tony the Tiger t-shirt that he had prepared in anticipation of the nomination.

“So that was my celebration, and now I’ve got to go back to work,” McDonald said. 

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she shared her perspective on the character and how it felt to embody a “force of nature.”

She discussed her views on the part and the experience of portraying a “storm” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

What did you think when Gavin Creel initially said you should play this role? 

Initially, I was taken aback, then he suggested the character should be portrayed by a black woman in the industry, and my response was something like, “Ah, I see, yes!” From there, things progressed. I was well-aware of the role, having watched many outstanding performances of it by legendary actresses. Until that moment, I hadn’t envisioned myself in their footsteps, but Gavin helped me to realize that possibility.

What does it mean to be playing Rose as a Black woman? 

This narrative revolves around the theme of intergenerational wounds, scarcity, aspirations, and the struggle that comes with being judged by one’s ambitions. It’s a dramatic portrayal centered on the bond between mothers and daughters. The characters grapple with the limitations imposed by their identity and time of birth, striving to overcome systemic barriers. Given these themes, it felt organic for the protagonist, Rose, to be a Black woman, reflecting the unique struggles faced by Black women in society.

In the narrative of Rose’s journey, there are events and challenges that resonate deeply with a Black woman, as they are experiences she may have encountered or identified with in her own life.

How do you get into the character before each show?  

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my unique perspective on a character named Rose. She’s not just a storm, but a whirlwind of possibility, a hurricane and tornado combined. Where others see “No,” she finds a “Yes,” or even creates one. So, despite the sad ending the show presents, I approach it with optimism and anticipation for Rose. Her journey is filled with possibilities and opportunities, a pursuit of dreams not just for herself, but for her children as well.

Furthermore, you unexpectedly enter the theater with a pet dog, followed by bursting a balloon in the hands of a child (who is a rival to your character’s daughter) on stage.

[Laughing] The dog doesn’t like it so much.

How does the difficulty of this role compare to prior roles you’ve played?

She operates at an extremely intense level, which I must admit is one of the most draining roles I’ve encountered. The instances in the production where she appears to be inactive are rare and spread out. However, even when she seems inactive, a significant event is on the verge of occurring. It’s her response to something unexpected and unwanted that has just transpired in her life. These moments occur, and she’s passive for a brief period, but her reaction to it is powerful. She’s not a passive character in this narrative, which makes the role exhausting. Essentially, she’s the embodiment of a main character’s main character.

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2025-05-01 19:54