INTERVIEW: Only a few weeks left to catch ‘Gypsy,’ featuring Jordan Tyson
Photo: Gypsy features, from left, Zachary Daniel Jones, Tony d’Alelio, Jordan Tyson, Kevin Csolak and Brendan Sheehan. Photo courtesy of Julieta Cervantes / Provided by Polk & Co. with permission.
NEW YORK — Although the new revival of Gypsy, starring Audra McDonald as Rose, is coming to an end on Sunday, Aug. 17, the memories that have been created for the cast, creative team and audience members will live long after the final curtain. One of the celebrated performers in the talented cast is Jordan Tyson, who plays the character of June.
“I love my life right now,” Tyson said in a phone interview earlier in July. “It’s so special in ways that I don’t think I could have anticipated. Just to be with the amazing team that I’m with and everything is pretty unbelievable.”
Tyson, who made her Broadway debut in The Notebook last year, came to Gypsy after a substantial audition process. She had to return to the creative offices of director George C. Wolfe and choreographer Camille A. Brown time and time again, always bringing her powerful interpretation of Arthur Laurents’ book, and Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics.
“I was in a bunch of times, singing and then reading the scenes, and then Camille came in and asked me to dance for her and her associates,” she said. “It was lengthy, so I really didn’t know how it was going to go for me. I had gotten down to the bottom two or three young women who had been reading for the part, and I said, ‘I have no idea how this will go, but I’m just going to have fun.’ At this point in my life, I’m able to let go a little bit at those moments so that I can just enjoy because there’s no telling what’s actually going to happen.”
Spoiler alert: Tyson got the part and has been with the musical revival at the Majestic Theatre for the past 10 months. Before taking on the role of June, she had never seen a production of Gypsy, but she knew some of the music. The show tells the story of Mama Rose, who pushes her daughters into the vaudeville life, to the point where she loses sight of their well-being.
“I only learned June through the page and through my own research of actually June Havoc,” Tyson said of the real-life June Havoc, who was the sister to Gypsy Rose Lee, played in the show by Joy Woods. “And I think that the biggest thing that I strive to do is honor that this was a real person, and this was a real hurt young woman. Everyone has said historically she’s painted as this diva kind of or this girl who just throws a hissy fit. No, if you actually listen to what she is saying and watch just how much work is on her shoulders and her family, you understand that she’s totally warranted in going against her abuser, her mother, so I just try to honor that she was a child who was taken advantage of.”
Tyson said she is amazed that this show was created from Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoir because there are sad and brutal scenes on that Broadway stage, with one family’s secrets laid to bare. “Imagine letting your family secrets out all on stage for the entire public to see,” Tyson said. “People from around the world come to see us. … It’s based on the autobiography, so I’m sure it doesn’t tell the full truth. But it’s still a very vulnerable place to say, hey, look at my family history, especially the parts that are not so cute.”
Even though Tyson hadn’t seen a production of Gypsy before performing in this revival, she has since fallen in love with the music, especially the orchestrations, courtesy of Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler. The actor said it’s a joy to have so many stellar compositions swirling around her on stage.
“There’s so much depth to the orchestrations, so at any time if I am walking on stage that day feeling I’m not focused, I know I can go, OK, listen to the string line,” she said. “Or listen to the trumpets. Just tune in to one thing, and there’s an endless possibility of things that you can listen to. So I think for me it’s a gift as a performer to have that lush orchestra, but also it’s challenged me to sing in a new way, sing a Golden Age score. We’re not singing it in the same style necessarily as it’s always been done, but it takes a certain amount of stamina to sing this kind of music versus pop music, which a lot of musical theater is now. So it’s just good.”
For Tyson, no doubt Aug. 17 will be a difficult time because that’s when she’ll say goodbye to her newfound family on stage, everyone from Danny Burstein to McDonald and Woods. The experience of acting and singing with these fellow actors has been a highlight.
“It has been so fun,” Tyson said. “Danny is a hoot. He’s my struggle buddy. He’s always pulling pranks or doing something silly, so he keeps everybody entertained. But also in the same way that Herbie is, he has such a depth and groundedness to him that keeps us all kind of feeling cared for and feeling loved and seen. And Audra is just the consummate leader. She takes care of herself in a way that makes you go, OK, if she can show up today, I’ve got to do the same. From day one, she was like, ‘This is about the work. This is not about anybody’s ego, so just show up and be curious. Do your best.’ So she set the tone for that, and then with Joy, she’s truly my sister on and off stage now. I think we know each other so well without saying a word. It’s nice to come in and know that I’m going to be held by her, too. Whatever she’s bringing in, I’ll be able to hold that for her, too.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Gypsy, featuring Jordan Tyson as June, continues through Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway. Click here for more information and tickets.
