Superstitious Saturday Gypsy Robe
A superstition in Broadway circles is
that of the Gypsy Robe. In every new season, on opening night, a Gypsy Robe is
presented to the chorus member with the most Broadway chorus credits. It is never
given to a leading performer – only someone in the chorus. The ritual is believed
to have started in 1950 by Bill Bradley and Florence Baum, who performed in the
chorus of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
There is a ceremony involved in
presenting this robe, and every member of the cast and crew are present, along
with a representative from the Actor’s Equity Association. Everyone stands in a
circle and after the robe is presented, the recipient walks around the circle three
times while the others touch the robe for good luck. After the ceremony ends,
the recipient must visit every dressing room to bless the show.
When this robe is passed on to a new
performer at the opening of their show, the previous “owner” must add some
memento to it and have it signed by everyone in the cast.
Two previous Gypsy Robes are at the
Smithsonian, and three are at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing
Arts.
From the Big
Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Superstitious Secret #197:
“The Gypsy Robe is a Broadway ritual.”
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“For some
of us, the Gypsy years can go on forever… That isn’t such a bad thing. When all
is said and done, they’re a lot of fun. The truth is, I liked being a Gypsy. It’s
who I was. And it’s still a lot of who I am. Gypsy, it’s a good word.”
- Chita Rivera
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