Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside the AMAZING GRACE Gypsy Robe Ceremony!
By: Walter McBride Jul. 20, 2015
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The company of Amazing Grace just celebrated the beloved Broadway tradition of the Gypsy Robe. SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Matt Wall bestowed the robe upon Dan Sharkey and BroadwayWorld was on the scene for the occasion. Check out photos from the ritual 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.
The new musical features music and lyrics by Christopher Smith and a book by Christopher SmithandArthur Giron, directed by Gabriel Barre (Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party) and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).
Amazing Grace is a new original musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world's most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Stanley Bahorek and Chuck Cooper
Stanley Bahorek and Chuck Cooper
Cast members makng their Broadway debut
Chris Hoch, Elizabeth Ward Land and Christopher Gurr
Matt Wall ('Something Rotten')
David Westphal, Dan Sharkey and Matt Wall ('Something Rotten')
Dan Sharkey and cast
Carolyn Rossi Copeland with cast
Dan Sharkey with Chuck Cooper and cast
Dan Sharkey with Chuck Cooper and cast
Dan Sharkey with Josh Young and cast
Dan Sharkey with Kate Shindle, Carolyn Rossi Copeland
Dan Sharkey and cast
Dan Sharkey with Josh Young, Erin Mackey and cast
Dan Sharkey and the cast
Dan Sharkey and cast
Dan Sharkey and the cast
Josh Young, Dan Sharkey and Erin Mackey
Josh Young, Dan Sharkey, Erin Mackey and Chuck Cooper
Josh Young, Dan Sharkey, Erin Mackey and Chuck Cooper
Carolyn Rossi Copland, Josh Young, Dan Sharkey, Erin Mackey and Alexander Rankin
Cindy Adams with Dan Sharkey
Cindy Adams with Dan Sharkey
Kate Shindle, Josh Young, Dan Sharkey, Erin Mackey and Chuck Cooper
Kate Shindle, Josh Young, Dan Sharkey, Erin Mackey and Chuck Cooper
Dan Sharkey with fellow chorus members
The Company
The company
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