Photo Coverage: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS Gypsy Robe Ceremony

On Sunday, October 31, the company of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS celebrated their opening night with the Gypsy Robe ritual. The company's recipient was JC Montgomery. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you 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 of Equity'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 / WM Photos

Heath Calvert Gypsy Robe Winner - "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"

David Westphal & Heath Calvert Gypsy Robe Winner - "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"

Heath Calvert Gypsy Robe Winner - "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"

Christian Dante White, Colman Domingo, Robin Walker, Derrick Cobey

Julius Thomas III, Christian Dante White, Forrest McClendon, Clinton Roane & Derrick Cobey making their Broadway debuts

Kend Rick Jones, Sharon Washington, Julius Thomas III, Christian Dante White, Derrick Cobey, Forrest McClendon, Clinton Roane making their Broadway debuts

David Westphl Actors Equity, JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" & Heath Calvert Gypsy Winner-"Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys"

Joshua Henry

Ebsemble cast & crew featuring Susan Stroman & Coleman Domingo

Julius Thomas III, Coleman Domingo, Christian Dante White, Josh Breckenridge, Derrick Cobey & Susan Stroman

John Cullum

John Kander

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys"

Julius Thomas III & Coleman Domingo

David Thompson & John Kander

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys"

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" with Rodney Hicks, Jeremy Gumbs, John Cullman & the cast

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" with John Cullum & Sharon Washington

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" & Susan Stroman

Susan Stroman & JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "THe Scottsboro Boys"

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" & Susan Stroman

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "THe Scottsboro Boys" & Adrian Bailey Gypsy Robe Winner-"The Little Mermaid"

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "THe Scottsboro Boys" & Jeremy Gumbs

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" with John Cullum

John Cullum

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" with John Cullum

John Kander & JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "THe Scottsboro Boys"

David Thompson, John Kander, JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" & Susan Stroman

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" with cast & crew

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "THe Scottsboro Boys" & Adrian Bailey Gypsy Robe Winner-"The Little Mermaid"

Julius Thomas III, Christian Dante White, Robin S. Walker, Derrick Cobey & Jeremy Gumbs

Coleman Domingo, Christian Dante White, Derrick Cobey & Kend Rick Jones

JC Montgomery Gypsy Winner- "The Scottsboro Boys" with cast & crew

Susan Stroman & Judine Somerville Gypsy Winner- "Hairspray" with son Bobby Somerville

Susan Stroman & John Kander

Susan Stroman poses with a bear in her likeness, a gift from Clinton Roane

BWW Hi-Res Gallery - Original Version

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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