Photo Coverage: 'In The Heights' Gypsy Robe Ceremony 2008/03/11

On Sunday March 9, 2008 the Broadway Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for In The Heights took place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where cast member Michael Balderrama was honored as the newest recipient.

The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits. Adrian Bailey of The Little Mermaid was the last recipient of the Gypsy Robe. The Gypsy Robe is a Broadway event steeped in tradition.� Upon opening night of a Broadway musical, the Gypsy Robe recipient must put on the honored garment and run inside a circle three times so each company member can touch the coat. They must also visit each company member's dressing room before the top-of-show call. It is also the recipient's responsibility to decorate a portion of the Gypsy Robe to commemorate their specific show.

In The Heights officially opened on Sunday, March 9, 2008 on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater.� With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegr�a Hudes, and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In The Heights is directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler.� The After Party was held at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers.

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mandy Gonzalez

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda and cast

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cast

Adrian Bailey (previous robe recipient from The Little Mermaid)

Adrian Bailey

Michael Balderrama is announced as the next Gypsy Robe recipient!

Michael Balderrama

Michael Balderrama in the Gypsy Robe!

Per tradition, Michael Balderrama, dances around the circle of cast and friends three times, so that they may all reach out and touch the robe.

Michael Balderrama

Michael Balderrama, Lin-Manuel Miranda and John P. Connolly (Actors Equity Executive Director)

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Michael Balderrama

Carlos Gomez and Priscilla Lopez

�Priscilla Lopez�and Michael Balderrama

Priscilla Lopez and Michael Balderrama

Mandy Gonzalez,�Michael Balderrama�and David Westphal

�Krysta Rodriquez and Michael Balderrama

� Krysta Rodriquez and Michael Balderrama

Michael Balderrama and Robin de Jesus

Mandy Gonzalez, Michael Balderrama�and David Westphal

Mandy Gonzalez and Michael Balderrama

Director Thomas Kail

Thomas Kail

Producer Jeffrey Seller

Jeffrey Seller

Jeffrey Seller and Producer Kevin McCollum

Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum

Kevin McCollum & Cast

Jeffrey Seller and�Kevin McCollum

In The Heights

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After his life as an ingenue in Brooklyn & Queens, Walter spent the next 25 Years in a leading role as a Photographer / Photo Researcher in Manhattan. He is currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and children Dali & Gala. As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of "GREASE". His journey on the path to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Broadway introduced him to his two homes... Retna Ltd & BroadwayWorld.com, represented by: www.retna.com.

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