Photo Coverage: Inside the NEWSIES Gypsy Robe Ceremony!
By: Walter McBride Apr. 02, 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, the latest receipient was NEWSIES cast member Aaron J. Albano at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City.
At the song and dance ceremony, cast members who were making their Broadway debuts were acknowledged at the center of the stage, and then Kobak proceeded to circle the room in the robe in celebration with the entire cast.
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.
Tickets are available for purchase through NewsiesTheMusical.com, by calling Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 , or in person at the Nederlander Theatre box office (208 W. 41st Street). The Nederlander Theatre box office will be open Monday through Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm through March 11th. Beginning March 12th box office hours will be Monday through Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm and Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Jeremy Jordan & Andrew Keenan-Bolger
Matthew J. Scjechter & Harvey Fierstein
Recipient Mark Cassius from Jesus Christ Superstar
Recipient Mark Cassius from 'esus Christ Superstar
Cast Maembers making their Broadway debuts
Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Ryan Steele, Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Capathia Jenkins
Aaron J. Albano & Recipient Mark Cassius from Jesus Christ Superstar
Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Ben Fankhauser, Tommy Bracco, Alex Wong, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan, Capathia Jenkins & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Harvey Fierstein & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Harvey Fierstein
Aaron J. Albano with Company
Aaron J. Albano with Company
Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter & Harvey Fierstein
Aaron J. Albano, Lara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
ichardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company
Aaron J. Albano with Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Harvey Fierstein & Company
Aaron J. Albano & Company
Aaron J. Albano & Company
Aaron J. Albano & Company
Aaron J. Albano, Harvey Fierstein & Nick Wyman
Aaron J. Albano, Harvey Fierstein & Nick Wyman
Aaron J. Albano & Harvey Fierstein
Aaron J. Albano, Actors Equity Executive Director Mary McColl & Nick Wyman
Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano & Jeremy Jordan
Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter
Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter
Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter
Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter
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