In a revelatory new Broadway revival of the classic musical Gypsy, actress Joy Woods transforms into a star nightly, right before the audience’s eyes. As Louise, whose domineering stage mother Rose (Audra McDonald) doggedly pushes her two daughters towards the spotlight, Woods portrays a young woman who finds an unlikely path to fame. Despite Rose’s desire to see her daughters become vaudeville performers, Louise unexpectedly discovers her calling in burlesque, and becomes the famed striptease artist known as Gypsy Rose Lee.
While Rose may be Gypsy’s central character, it is Louise who blossoms over the show’s two acts, which follow her from a tumultuous childhood to eventual stardom. “For Louise’s arc, I think we experience her growing pains,” says Woods. “When her bones hurt because she’s getting too tall, we feel it, too. We watch her shed her skin, scale by scale, to become who she is.”
Her role in Gypsy, while a star-making performance on its own, is the latest in a string of breakout roles for Woods, who made her Broadway debut in Six before starring as Middle Allie in last year’s adaptation of The Notebook. Louise, however, marks her first time taking on one of Broadway’s most sought-after parts, in what is widely considered one of the greatest musicals of all time. “Stepping into such a coveted role feels like it came so soon in my career, before I felt like I had learned the things I needed to know,” Woods admits. “I didn’t know those things when I walked into this, so I’m figuring it out on the fly. [Louise] is teaching me about it, and I’m learning a lot.”
That sense of learning on the job held its own unique challenges, and Woods is candid about the heightened pressures of performing in the much-anticipated revival. “Being overwhelmed with options in such a great character and great show surrounded by great artists giving 300% all the time, I think the challenge was feeling like I’m contributing positively to the end result. It’s scary, intimidating.”
The show’s cast also includes Tony winner Danny Burnstein and Woods’ Notebook co-star Jordan Tyson as Herbie and June, the other members of Gypsy’s turbulent onstage family. The actors have formed a camaraderie that Woods suggests is significantly more pleasant than their characters’ often-volatile bond. “It really does feel like Mom and Dad,” she says of McDonald and Burnstein. “Whenever Jordan and I are about to get sick, we have a group chat between the four of us. Those are always the first people to check in and ask if we’re okay or need anything. They’re just so kind, warm, and welcoming when they can be. I feel very lucky for that.”
Woods more than holds her own in her scenes opposite McDonald, their onstage chemistry sparking as Louise and Rose’s ambitions collide. Describing McDonald as “a wonderful person and a great leader,” Woods received valuable advice from the six-time Tony winner on how to prepare for such a demanding role. “She taught me how to take care of myself in the meantime, knowing when it’s not time to step in and be a part of that world. We need to take care of ourselves, and she’s just a lovely role model.”
Through her portrayal of Louise, Woods hopes the audiences find a strong sense of empathy with her character. “I think what I want audiences to take away from that is that you don’t always know who you are,” Woods says. “Remaining open to opportunities and taking your life by the collar when you feel hopeless is really important. I hope I show that forgiveness is worth it, and that being kind and seeing people in moments when they need to be seen is important.”
Interview Juliana Ogarrio
Photography Jenny Anderson
Styling Jason Rembert
Makeup Kyle Brown
Styling Assistant Kyle Nelson
