Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside the IF/THEN Gypsy Robe Ceremony!
By: Walter McBride Apr. 02, 2014
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The company of If/Then 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, 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 14th floor Council lobby.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Idina Menzel, LaChanze and Jenn Colella
Idina Menzel and LaChanze
Idina Menzel and LaChanze
AEA's David Westphal, Curtis Holbrook and Manuel Herrera
AEA's David Westphal, Curtis Holbrook and Manuel Herrera
Curtis Holbrook and Manuel Herrera
Idina Menzel and company
Curtis Holbrook with Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella and company
Curtis Holbrook with Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella and company
Curtis Holbrook with Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella and company
Curtis Holbrook with Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella and company
Curtis Holbrook with Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella and company
Idina Menzel, Curtis Holbrook and James Snyder
Idina Menzel, Curtis Holbrook and James Snyder
Idina Menzel, Curtis Holbrook and James Snyder
Curtis Holbrook and Jenn Colella
Curtis Holbrook and Jenn Colella
LaChanze and Curtis Holbrook
LaChanze and Curtis Holbrook
Jerry Dixon, Curtis Holbrook and Tom Kitt
Michael Greif and Curtis Holbrook
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