Broadway star Audra McDonald on “emotional dive” into her latest role

When Audra McDonald received her first Tony Award at 23, it was only the start of a record-breaking Broadway profession. Earlier this month, she acquired her eleventh Tony nomination, making her essentially the most Tony-nominated actor of all time.

McDonald acquired the nomination for her portrayal of Mama Rose within the newest Broadway revival of “Gypsy.” If she wins this Sunday, she’ll make historical past because the performer with essentially the most Tonys ever.

Earlier than she found the stage, McDonald described herself as a hyperactive child who would categorical her feelings regularly.

“I had massive emotions. I had music in my coronary heart. And so as soon as I discovered theater, it was like I’ve a spot to place my massive emotions now,” she stated.

These feelings are on full show as Mama Rose, a personality primarily based on the real-life mom of famed burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. It’s presently being proven on the Majestic Theatre. Within the musical, Mama Rose is an intense stage mother.

McDonald first stepped into the position throughout a live performance at Carnegie Corridor in 2022, performing the musical’s emotional climax “Rose’s Flip.”

“It was the identical time of yr that I used to be on the point of ship my daughter off to school. And I used to be coping with all this rage I used to be having at my candy, great daughter,” McDonald stated. “And I burst into tears and I noticed it is as a result of my child’s leaving and I am unhappy. So then that was my first type, like, emotional dive into Rose.”

McDonald is the primary Black lady to painting Mama Rose on Broadway. Director George C. Wolfe guided her interpretation of what Rose could be experiencing within the Nineteen Twenties and 30s, with not one phrase of the unique script modified.

“George talks loads about Rose’s obsession with the children turning into stars is as a result of being a star protects you ultimately. You bought star cash, you might eat. You bought star cash, perhaps you will not be lynched,” McDonald defined. “And so she as a single lady at the moment, deserted thrice by her husbands, deserted by her mom, probably not handled all that properly by her father, she’s tryin’ to guard these infants.”

Behind the Curtain

The “CBS Mornings” interview went backstage to seek out out what occurs when the curtain closes. McDonald and her co-star Danny Burstein are “of a sure age,” she laughed, noting they do not run up the steps after performances.

McDonald confirmed how she warms as much as tackle the demanding position.

“One factor {that a} lotta singers do is buzzing. Identical to (buzzing), you are doing issues like that simply to type of and folks do this, whether or not you are singing or not. It is good simply to type of be sure that the whole lot’s type of shifting and wholesome. And , to do it eight occasions per week,” she stated.

Inspiring the following era 

Regardless of her numerous accolades, McDonald nonetheless struggles with being known as a legend.

“If it could imply one thing to some little Black woman someplace who says ‘She did it and he or she seems to be like me so I can do it,’ nice,” she stated. “However I am unable to actually comprehend what which means to me about me. You already know what I imply? ‘Trigger I am unable to, , as I see how soiled my closet is, and the truth that I’ve not performed laundry in 4 weeks.”

When requested about her personal legends, McDonald grew to become emotional whereas naming the likes of Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee and Lena Horne.

“They are not right here. They usually meant loads to me. I might see them. They have been doing it. They regarded like me,” she stated.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards will happen this Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Radio Metropolis Music Corridor in New York Metropolis. You may watch the on CBS and stream stay on Paramount+