Exploring New York: My Journey with Audra McDonald

Part I:

Readying to Go

Mr. K. and I took a bite out of The Big Apple, (New York City) and it served us well. It all started with Audra McDonald. I have been a fan of hers for a long time – her singing, her acting. I missed her in A Raisin in the Sun, Ragtime, and her one-woman show about Billie Holiday. When I read she was starring in Gypsy, I said, “This is it! I’m gonna catch her as Mama Rose!” But first, I had to catch up with one of my besties, Pat Lewis, and her husband, Thomas, my forever hosts when I visit New York. Mr. K. mentioned hotels, and I was like, “No way!” New York finds me in Harlem in the comfortable abode of my Sis and Bro. I had to catch up with them because Pat is a singer and actress, and Thomas is a musician. They’re busy, but never too busy for me.

Fear of Flying…These Days

Finally, after settling on a date, Mr. K. and I planned our trip to NY. Then, the Trump plane disasters commenced, and we were like, “Are we gonna do it…are we really gonna do it?” (I couldn’t resist Kendrick, Y’all). I was praying and seriously meditating, deciding whether or not to fly. Then, I remembered my white light of protection and said, God’s got this. We goin’!

I was in wheelchair style from my first flight from Muscle Shoals to Charlotte, NC. My helper was like a NASCAR driver navigating the Charlotte airport to get me to my connecting flight with Mr. K. Then, off we went to LaGuardia Airport, which was new and shiny, I might add. We were met by Pat and Thomas, and then we whisked off to Harlem, where Pat, originally from Birmingham, AL, cooked her famous fried chicken for me. What?!

Images: Pat on the left with the Crystals and Thomas after a concert

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Gypsy!

“Let me entertain you!” Y’all, I had forgotten how awful the “entertain you” performances were in the film, Gypsy, and Baby June’s tune was just as nauseating and funny in the play. However, all the kids in the cast were skilled professionals that held their own with the star, Audra McDonald.

Ain’t nothin’ like a stage mama in Vaudeville, and Mama Rose is the prototype for Baby June and Louise, her daughters. Pushing June as her star and Louise as…well, as anything she could possibly do, Rose was relentless. She brought in a variety of new acts, including boys and girls as backups, and even a cow, all performing to “Let Me Entertain You.” The most memorable was the USA scene, ending with giant eagle and copious flags. It was horrendously funny..

On The View, MacDonald noted that for her production, they did not change a single word of the script, and she pointed out that the casting was intentionally addressing the issue of colorism. Baby June, the star, had light skin, while her sister, Louise, was dark skinned. And in the days of Vaudeville, light-skinned Blacks usually received starring roles in Black productions. Mama Rose loved them both, but June was the bread and butter, and since June was as talented as Rose thought herself to be, June was the favorite. Rose was uncompromising about making it with her girls. She had no time for her suitor, turned fianceé and manager, Herbie, who adored her; not if marrying him meant giving up the business. I’m not going to issue a spoiler alert, but I gotta’ go here.

Audra McDonald has seven (7) Tony Awards. She chose to work on her 8th in this performance. Her voice mesmerized us, but what she did with her closing solo—the “Look at Me” number, Rose’s Turn —had me crying, and you could hear a pin drop in the audience until the end of the song. The audience erupted in applause and the standing ovation could not wait for the final bows of the cast.

I was thrilled with the entire musical, from the plot to the performances. I must say that the vintage movie had a lot to do with why I vowed never to be a stage mom. But oh, what I would give to have a modicum of Audra McDonald’s talent. What?!

#Gypsy #Broadway #NewYork #talent #teamAudra #gardenspices

Joy Juice

Wow, it’s wonderful to be blessed enough to travel. Gaining new perspectives is a gift. Understanding that people move differently all over the world is a reason to celebrate the Creator. Adapting to different cultures speaks to my soul and fills my spirit with joy.

New York is an abundance of culture in a melting pot, moving with a swiftness and offering delights from every ethnicity. Thank you, Father/Mother, for the ability to be open and receptive to your offerings.

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Romans 12:16

“A person is a person because of other people.” African proverb

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“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

© 2025 Vicki Goldston, All rights reserved.

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 Victorine, Bio

Author of  Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

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