Last year the award winning hit musical “Phantom of the Opera” closed after 35 years of performances at the Majestic Theatre. Attendance was down; but the Majestic was set for a makeover and has been shut down for the past several months.
On September 9, the Majestic is officially ready once again to host some of the best in Broadway.
Later this fall, Audra McDonald and her fellow cast mates will debut the new Majestic Theatre with a production of the revival of “Gypsy”. The musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1959.
The renovations to the Majestic included some modernizations that include a new stage floor, restoration of the ornamental plaster, a million dollar “paint job”, a new rigging system and dressing rooms, new carpet and seats, new expanded facilities, and a restoration of the original marquee. A part of the set decoration for “Phantom of the Opera” included a chandelier that fell to the stage in every performance; as a result, the Majestic’s chandelier was put in storage…it has now been restored and hangs in the auditorium – and they promise it has not ghosts.
“Gypsy” has played on Broadway five separate times; but this time around the lead roles will feature actors of colour with Audra McDonald playing the role of Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother. McDonald spoke on playing the role saying, I’ve been dreaming of playing Mama Rose for as long as I can remember. And I am so so honored and excited and ready to get to work to discover this role, to discover this show with George’s incredible guidance.”
Previews of the show are set for November 21 with opening night on December 19.