Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside the HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Gypsy Robe Ceremony
By: Walter McBride Jun. 23, 2014
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The company of Holler If Ya Hear Me just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual. 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, the 2007-2008 Gypsy Robe can now be viewed on the 14th floor Council lobby of Equity's National Headquarters in New York.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson
Dyllon Burnside, Tonya Pinkins and cast
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson
President Nick Wyman, Dyllon Burnside, Tonya Pinkins and cast
Saul Williams with cast and guests
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson with cast and guests
Tracee Beazer with cast and guests
Andrea Goss, Tracee Beazer and David Westphal
Tracee Beazer and AEA's David Westphal
Dyllon Burnside, Tonya Pinkins, Tracee Beazer and cast
Ben Thompson, Christopher Jackson and Tracee Beazer with cast
Tonya Pinkins and Tracee Beazer with cast
President Nick Wyman, Tracee Beazer and Tonya Pinkins
Ben Thompson and Tracee Beazer
Ben Thompson and Tracee Beazer
Donald Webber Jr. and Tracee Beazer
Donald Webber Jr. and Tracee Beazer
Donald Webber Jr. and Tracee Beazer
President Nick Wyman and Christopher Jackson and Tracee Beazer
Christopher Jackson and Tracee Beazer
John Earl Jelks and Tracee Beazer
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