She is one of the greatest voices in the history of American music—and she's still creating. The legendary Martha Reeves joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a joyful conversation celebrating a remarkable career, the timeless power of Motown, and her first new studio album in over two decades.
Photos: Inside MOTOWN's Gypsy Robe Ceremony
By: Walter McBride
The company of MOTOWN just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual with the company's recipient Michael Arnold. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you full photo coverage below!
The Gypsy Robe began in 1950, when Bill Bradley, in the chorus of GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, borrowed a dressing gown from Chorus member Florence Baum and sent it to a friend in CALL ME MADAM on opening night Oct 12, 1950 saying it was worn by all the Ziegfeld beauties and would "bless" the show. A cabbage rose from Ethel Merman's gown was added and the robe was passed along to next Broadway musical on opening night. The tradition evolved so that the robe is now presented to the "gypsy" who has performed the most Broadway musicals on a chorus contract. Along the way, the robe is decorated, painted, patched, stitched, and signed by everyone in the show, becoming a fanciful patchwork for an entire Broadway season.
Recognizing their cultural and historic value, Gypsy Robes can now be viewed at two ofEquity's Offices. The National Headquarters in New York now houses two of the historic Robes. The second floor Audition Center's newly designed case displays the Robe from the 2006-2007 season, which was dedicated by the ACCA to the memory of Patrick Quinn. The 2007-2008 Robe, dedicated to Broadway veteran Adrian Bailey, can be viewed on the fourteenth floor Council lobby.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Charles Randolph-Wright & Doug Morris
Doug Morris with wife Monique Morris
Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
Rebecca E. Covington, Marielys Molina
Allyson Tucker & N'Kenge
MARVA HICKS, Adrian Bailey & Charles Randolph-Wright
Eric Lajuan Summers, Grasan Kingsberry, MARVA HICKS
Eric Lajuan Summers, Grasan Kingsberry, MARVA HICKS & David Korins
Grasan Kingsberry & MARVA HICKS
Cast members making theirbroadway debuts
Cast members making their Broadway Debuts
Company members making their Broadway Debuts
Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon, Patricia Wilcox & Company
Michael Arnold & Company
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon, Patricia Wilcox & Company
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon & Company
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon, Patricia Wilcox & Company
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon, Patricia Wilcox & Company
David Westphal & Michael Arnold with Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda') & the Cast
David Westphal & Michael Arnold with Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
David Westohal & Michael Arnold
David Westohal & Michael Arnold
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon, Patricia Wilcox & Cast
Michael Arnold with Brandon Victor Dixon, Patricia Wilcox & Cast
Michael Arnold with Charles Randolph-Wright & Cast
Michael Arnold & Cast
Michael Arnold & Cast
Michael Arnold & Cast
Michael Arnold & Cast
Michael Arnold & Cast
Michael Arnold & Cast
Charles Randolph-Wright & Michael Arnold
Michael Arnold, Brandon Victor Dixon, Charles Randolph-Wright & Doug Morris
Brandon Victor Dixon & Charles Randolph-Wright
Michael Arnold & Brandon Victor Dixon & Charles Randolph-Wright
Michael Arnold & Brandon Victor Dixon
Charles Randolph-Wright & Michael Arnold
Executive Director of AEA Mary McColl, Michael Arnold & AEA Eastern Regional Director Thomas Carpenter
Executive Director of AEA Mary McColl, Michael Arnold & AEA Eastern Regional Director Thomas Carpenter
Michael Arnold & Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
Michael Arnold & Nadine Isenegger (recipient for 'Matilda')
Breaking Broadway alerts by text
Get the biggest stories sent straight to your phone.
Broadway news in your inbox
Weekly top stories - unsubscribe anytime.
Weekly top stories - unsubscribe anytime.
|
Podcasts
N’Kenge Celebrates That’s Love: The Dorothy Dandridge Musical Coming To NJ!
Broadway powerhouse and recording artist N'Kenge joins The Roundtable to talk about stepping into the legacy of an icon in That’s Love: The Dorothy Dandridge Musical. N’Kenge shares what it means to honor Dorothy Dandridge’s brilliance, vulnerability, and impact, and why telling her story now feels both timely and deeply personal.
Charlene: The Motown Legend Shares Her Incredible Story!
Charlene — the voice behind the timeless Motown classic “I’ve Never Been to Me” — sits down at The Roundtable to share the extraordinary journey behind the music. From her Detroit roots to global fame, she opens up about the highs, lows, reinventions, and the resilience that carried her through every chapter.
Ep413 - Nik Walker (from the vault)
Originally aired as episode 120 on December 9, 2020. Nik Walker is an artist, educator, and activist who made his Broadway debut in Motown The Musical. He spent 3 years with the Broadway and touring companies of Hamilton, adding both Aaron Burr and George Washington to his resume.
Ep 566- Morgan James Is Bringing The Soul!
Morgan James joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate her bold new studio album Soul Remains the Same (out August 8!)—a soul‑infused reimagining of iconic heavy rock and metal classics.
University of Michigan (Act III) with Jessica Boevers Bogart and Sydney Morton
In this College Deep Dive, MTCA Charlie Murphy chats with Jessica Boevers Bogart and Sydney Morton from University of Michigan. They chat about: Showcase as human-first, not performance-perfect. The myth of “best” auditions – it’s all about breathing and presence.
U Guys, Chicago on Broadway's current Fred Casely, Jaquez is here! This week's BroadwayWorld Recap has all of the latest Bway updates! Then I am joined by Jaquez, a Broadway performer whose talent knows no bounds.
Ep331 - David Korins: Don't Do Stupid Things
Four time Tony Awards nominee David Korins lets us into his world as he talks about his creative process and the intricacies of set design. He shares insights into his work's detailed and often granular nature, emphasizing the importance of even the smallest elements in creating a believable world for actors and audiences alike.
Ep 185- The Red Carpet Of "The Rosie's Theater Kids Gala" Ft. BD Wong, Judy Gold, & More!
We love the Rosie's Theater Kids organization! For 21 years, they have provided free arts education, SAT Prep, tutoring, and mentorship to over 25k NYC Public School Students! They have literally helped shape the next generation of artists and leaders.
Broadway and Tv actor and writer, Nik Walker joins us to Take A Bow for his work in the entertainment industry. Nik is a true student of the art and takes you through his philosophies and ideologies of how to approach text as an actor.
Valisia LeKae stars as LaVern Baker in Rock & Roll Man. The hit musical is playing at New World Stages. Valisia was nominated for Tony and Grammy Awards playing Diana Ross in Motown: The Musical.
S1/Ep11: WITH A STEP SNAP AND A HIGH PASSÉ, IT’S ROBERT HARTWELL!
Robert Hartwell joins Brendon and Jack on the season one finale episode! With five Broadway shows under his belt, this Broadway veteran has never forgotten the joy of performing on Broadway.
.jpg?format=auto&width=300)
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $60
Tickets From $71