The Legend of the Gypsy Robe

The Gypsy Robe, which is passed from Broadway show to Broadway show, is a long-standing theatre tradition. Here's an article about it by Gloria Rosenthal and Terry Marone:

The stage manager's voice booms over the loudspeaker. In about an hour the Gypsy Robe will arrive, on the arm of its previous recipient, a chorus member from the latest musical to have opened on Broadway.

While everyone stands in a circle in eager anticipation, a name is announced and the robe is presented to the chorus member with the most Broadway credits. A traditional ceremony follows: the honored gypsy, now wearing the robe, circles the stage three times (counterclockwise only!), and everyone reaches out to touch the robe for luck. The gypsy, still wearing the robe, then visits all the cast members in their dressing rooms. And thus, the show is blessed.

The Gypsy Robe started in 1950 when Bill Bradley, a chorus member in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, asked a chorus girl for her dressing gown and sent it to a friend appearing in Call Me Madam. The friend obtained a cabbage rose from Ethel Merman's costume, attached it to the dressing gown, and sent it to the next show, and so on. Along the way traditions were added. Now the Gypsy Robe has become as much a part of opening night as flowers, cards, telegrams, balloons, and applause.

Before the next opening, a memento of the show is placed on the robe, cast members add their signatures, and the Gypsy Robe is ready to bless the next show. A fully-adorned robe becomes a glorious, three-dimensional scrapbook of opening nights.

About the authors: Terry Marone, a former Broadway gypsy herself, is the keeper of the Gypsy Robe for Actors’ Equity. Gloria Rosenthal is the Equity Gypsy Robe historian.