Photo Coverage: Inside the LEAP OF FAITH Gypsy Robe Ceremony!
By: Walter McBride May. 01, 2012
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A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, it was just presented to LEAP OF FAITH "gypsy" Dennis Stowe.
At the song and dance ceremony, cast members who were making their Broadway debuts were acknowledged at the center of the stage.
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.
Broadway’s LEAP OF FAITH is based on the motion picture Leap of Faith, produced by Paramount Pictures Corporation and written by Janus Cercone. Directed by Tony Award nominee Christopher Ashley with choreography by Sergio Trujillo, LEAP OF FAITH features music by Academy and Grammy Award-winner Alan Menken, a book by Janus Cercone and Tony Award-winner Warren Leight, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and music supervision by Michael Kosarin. The design will feature scenery by Robin Wagner, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Don Holder, sound by John Shivers, wigs & hair design by Paul Huntley, and make up by Angelina Avallone. The music will feature orchestrations by Michael Starobin and Joseph Joubert, vocal & incidental music arrangements by Michael Kosarin, dance music arrangements by Zane Mark, and music direction by Brent-Alan Huffman. Tickets are available through www.telecharge.com, (212) 239-6200 and range from $47 - $137. For more information, visit www.leapoffaithbroadway.com.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
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