A press rehearsal was recently held for "The Gypsy Robe - In Our Time," which was presented by Actors' Equity on Monday, February 12, 2007 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium.
Staged by
A. Wellington Perkins and
Pi Douglass, "In Our Time" honored African-American chorus actors who have received the Gypsy Robe, a time-honored opening night tradition among the chorus of Broadway musicals, and the many contributions African American performers have made to the American theater. The evening was co-sponsored by the League of Professional Theater Women to celebrate Black History month.
EEO Committee Co-Chairs
Christine Toy Johnson and
Julia Breanetta Simpson and ACCA Vice-Chair
Thomas Jay Miller narrated the colorful pageant, which showed off six of the legendary Gypsy Robes. With words and music, the show intertwined the history of the robe while retracing the history of African-American performers and shows on Broadway. Onstage, the stellar line-up of former robe recipients included
Nikki Renee Daniels (
Les Miserables- 2006),
Ramon Flowers (
Hot Feet - 2006),
Tim Hunter (
Fascinating Rhythm - 1999),
T. Oliver Reid (
The Wedding Singer - 2006),
Judine Somerville (
Hairspray - 2002),
Lynn Sterling (
The Life - 1997),
Gwen Stewart (
Rent - 1996), and
Brynn Williams (
In My Life - 2005). Joining them were AEA members
Daria Hardeman,
Stacey Haughton,
Tyson Jennette,
Harrison Lee,
Vicky Nitchie,
Richard Waits and
Steven Ward. Attending the event were
Martial Roumain (
The Wiz - 1984),
Yolanda Graves (
Uptown...It's Hot - 1986),
Deidre Goodwin (
The Rocky Horror Show - 2000),
Devin Richards (
Jesus Christ Superstar - 2000) The Musical Director was
William McDaniel.
Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
Gypsy Robes
William McDaniel
Daniel Schubmehl
Julia Breanetta Simpson and Christine Toy Johnson
Julia Breanetta Simpson
Vicky Nitchie and Julia Breanetta Simpson
Vicky Nitchie, Christine Toy Johnson and Tyson Jennette
Tyson Jennette
Stacey Haughton
Ramon Flowers, Stacey Haughton and A. Wellington Perkins (Director)
Thomas Jay Miller, Stacey Haughton, Judine Somerville & A. Wellington Perkins
Gwen Stewart & Richard Waits with A. Wellington Perkins
Vicky Nitchie, Brynn Williams & Tyson Jennette with A. Wellington Perkins
Judine Somerville, Pi Douglass, Stacey Haughton and A. Wellington Perkins
Vicky Nitchie, Brynn Williams and Tyson Jennette with A. Wellington Perkins
Nikki Renee Daniels and Brynn Williams with the cast
Brynn Williams
Brynn Williams
A. Wellington Perkins and cast
Vicky Nitchie and Tyson Jennette
Vicky Nitchie and Tyson Jennette
Gwen Stewart and Richard Waits
Ramon Flowers and Tyson Jennette
Ramon Flowers and Tyson Jennette
Ramon Flowers and Tim Hunter
Ramon Flowers and Tim Hunter
The cast
Ramon Flowers
Nikki Renee Daniels, Ramon Flowers and Brynn Williams
Nikki Renee Daniels, Ramon Flowers and Brynn Williams
Tyson Jennette
Tyson Jennette
Harrison Lee
Harrison Lee
Vicky Nitchie
Vicky Nitchie
Gwen Stewart
Gwen Stewart
Richard Waits
Richard Waits
Richard Waits, Gwen Stewart, Vicky Nitchie, Tyson Jennette, Lynn Sterling and Harrison Lee
