Broadway’s Latest Twist: Seeing Rose Through a New Lens

This: a star as big as Broadway's Audra McDonald takes on the role of Rose in "Gypsy. " Big deal, right? Sure, it's a massive announcement. But last year, when I heard Audra, who is Black, would play Rose, a stage mom from the 1920s, I had my doubts. I wondered if she'd play the role as a white woman, given the historical context. Well, I was wrong to worry. McDonald didn't shy away from Rose being Black. Her vocal style and phrases made that clear. And guess what? It totally worked. The performance was stunning. McDonal, already a six-time Tony winner, is probably on her way to a seventh. Seeing Rose through a new lens, I realized that maybe my initial doubts were misplaced. It reminded me that stories can be reimagined and still resonate. It's about the talent and the heart behind the role, not the color.