Audra McDonald and Cast of Broadway’s Gypsy Pose in New Photos (Exclusive)

Here she is, boys! Here they are, world!

PEOPLE can exclusively debut new character portraits for the cast of director George C. Wolfe’s eagerly anticipated revival of Gypsy — Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed 1959 musical based on the life of legendary burlesque entertainer, stripper and actress Gypsy Rose Lee.

The pictures — snapped by photography Marc J. Franklin and styled by Jake Sokoloff — mark the first time stars Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein, Joy Woods and Jordan Tyson have been seen together since their casting was announced. And while they’re not yet in costume for the show, each are giving a glimpse at what fans can expect from their roles.

Performances for Gypsy begin at the newly renovated Majestic Theatre in New York City on Nov. 21 ahead of an official opening on Dec. 19.

McDonald is leading the company, playing the brash and driven stage mom Rose. Determined to make her daughter Dainty June (Tyson) the center of a vaudeville act, Rose enlists the help of agent Herbie (Burstein). But when desperate times hit, it’s Rose’s overlooked younger daughter Louise (Woods) who winds up stepping up into the spotlight, transforming into the musical’s title star.

Gypsy, which features a book by Arthur Laurents suggested by the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, is widely been considered to be the greatest musical of all time. Often dubbed “The King Lear of Broadway musicals,” its score is filled with show tune staples like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” “Together, Wherever We Go” and “Roses Turn.”

Quotes in the pop cultural zeitgeist like “Sing out, Louise” and “I’m a pretty girl, mama” can be traced back to Laurents’ book, too.

The musical has been revived countless times on Broadway, with renowned actresses like Tyne Daly, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone playing Rose on stage. The role was originated by Ethel Merman, and has been seen on screen in movies starring Rosalind Russell (1962), Bette Midler (1993) and a filmed version of the 2015 London revival starring Imelda Staunton.

But this revival marks the first time a trio of Black actresses have played Rose, Louise and June on Broadway.

To mark the milestone, and celebrate their new portraits, PEOPLE asked McDonald, Burstein, Woods and Tyson to describe their feelings about being part of the historic production, and any hopes they have for fans coming to see it. 

“I am so honored to be a part of this production,” says McDonald, 54, a six-time Tony Award winner. “Gypsy is a perfect musical. We have an absolutely stellar cast, all led by the brilliant George C. Wolfe who is a true theater visionary.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Burstein, a Tony winner himself, praised the partnership already building in the rehearsal room.

“Over the course of the last 40 years, I’ve found that what is essential is a strong bond within an acting company for everyone to do their best work. George C. Wolfe cultivates that kind of atmosphere at rehearsal,” he says. “We have that kind of trusting, supportive bond within the company and we are all feeling very eager to get into the Majestic Theater.”

“I think the level of enthusiasm in a company is palpable to an audience, they feed off a cast’s enthusiasm,” the actor, 60, continues. “I can’t wait for people to see this.”

Woods and Tyson, who are both coming to Gypsy after their celebrated performances in the Tony-nominated musical adaptation of The Notebook, shared their complicated emotions with PEOPLE.

“I am so excited to be a part of this project. Terrified, but in a way that I’m comfortable with. Small at times among giants, but in a way that I know that I have space to grow,” says Woods, 24. “I feel so lucky to be here.”

Adds Tyson: “I am feeling humbled, fierce, soft— a swirl of emotions. I am staying present and confident as much as possible because I want to remember every second of getting to work with my now cohorts, so many of whom have been guiding lights of my career from afar for a very long time.”

Both stars tease big things for audiences, Woods noting, “fans can expect to leave the theater very full.”

“I hope fans will leave any preconceived notion they have about the material at the door, and enter the Majestic with open minds,” says Tyson. “And I hope fans will come celebrate the bottomless well of black excellence and black history that we are harnessing in our telling of the story.”

In addition to McDonald, Burstein, Woods and Tyson, Gypsy will also star Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Tessie Tura), Lili Thomas (Miss Mazeppa) and Mylinda Hull (Miss Electra) will be Jacob Ming-Trent (Uncle Jocko), Kyleigh Denae Vickers (Baby Louise), Marley Lianne Gomes and Jade Smith (Baby June), as well as Kevin Csolak (Tulsa).

The company includes Shanel Bailey, Jace Bently, Brandon Burks, Hunter Capellán, Tony d’Alelio, Summer Rae Daney, Kellie Jean Hoagland, Aliah James, Brittney Johnson, Zachary Daniel Jones, Ethan Joseph, Andrew Kober, Krystal Mackie, James McMenamin, Cole Newburg, Majo Rivero, Sally Shaw, Thomas Silcott, Brendan Sheehan, Jayden Theophile, and Jordan Wynn.

Additional standby and understudy casting will be announced at a future date.

Tickets for Gypsy are now on sale.