|
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 ofEquity'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
Constantine Maroulis & Deborah Cox
Cast Members making their Broadway Debuts
Cast Members making their Broadway Debuts
Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox & Emmy Raver-Lampman
Historian Gloria Rosenthal & Terry Marone with Michael Arnold (recipient for 'MOTOWN The Musical')
Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Courtney Markowitz & Emmy Raver-Lampman
James Wooten & Cast
Jason Wooten & Cast
David Westphal with Jason Wooten & Michael Arnold (recipient for 'MOTOWN The Musical')
David Westphal with Jason Wooten & Michael Arnold (recipient for 'MOTOWN The Musical')
David Westphal with Jason Wooten & Michael Arnold (recipient for 'MOTOWN The Musical')
David Westphal with Jason Wooten & Cast
Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Courtney Markowitz with cast
Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Courtney Markowitz & Emmy Raver-Lampman with cast
Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis
Jason Wooten with Deborah Cox, Courtney Markowitz & Emmy Raver-Lampman with cast
Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Courtney Markowitz & Emmy Raver-Lampman with cast
Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Courtney & Emmy Raver-Lampman with cast
Jason Wooten with David Westhpal & the Company
Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Courtney Markowitz & Jason Wooten with cast
Constantine Maroulis & Jason Wooten with cast
Deborah Cox, Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis
Deborah Cox, Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis
Deborah Cox, Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis
Deborah Cox, Jason Wooten with Constantine Maroulis
Jason Wooten & Michael Arnold (recipient for 'MOTOWN The Musical')
Jason Wooten & Michael Arnold (recipient for 'MOTOWN The Musical')
Jason Wooten & Executive Director of AEA Mary McColl
Jason Wooten & Executive Director of AEA Mary McColl
Videos