Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside AFTER MIDNIGHT's Gypsy Robe Ceremony

The company of After Midnight just celebrated their November 3 opening night on Broadway with the famed Gypsy Robe ritual. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you exclusive photo coverage below!

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.

Recognizing their cultural and historic value, Gypsy Robes can now be viewed at two of Equity's Offices. The National Headquarters in New York now houses two of the historic Robes. The Robe from the 2008-2009 season is on display in the lobby of the New York Visitors Center. The 2007-2008 Robe, dedicated to Broadway veteran Adrian Bailey, can be viewed on the fourteenth floor Council lobby.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Taprena Michelle Augustine (from A Night with Janis Joplin)

Dule Hill

Cast members making their Broadway debuts

T. Oliver Reid and cast

Adriane Lenox and Carmen Ruby Floyd

Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards

T. Oliver Reid and cast

T. Oliver Reid

David Westphal, Rosena M. Hill Jackson & Taprena Michelle Augustine (from 'A Night with Janis')

T. Oliver Reid and David Westphal

Taprena Michelle Augustine (from A Night with Janis Joplin), T. Oliver Reid and David Westphal

Dule Hill

Adriane Lenox and Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino

Dule Hill

T. Oliver Reid declines the honor and gives it to Rosena M. Hill Jackson

T. Oliver Reid declines the honor and gives it to Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Taprena Michelle Augustine (from A Night with Janis Joplin), Rosena M. Hill Jackson and David Westphal

Rosena M. Hill Jackson and David Westphal

Taprena Michelle Augustine (from A Night with Janis Joplin), Rosena M. Hill Jackson and David Westphal

Karine Platadit, Dule Hill, Carmen Ruby Floyd and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Rosena M. Hill Jackson with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Fantasia Barrino and cast

Rosena M. Hill Jackson and cast

Rosena M. Hill Jackson with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Fantasia Barrino, Carmen Ruby Floyd and cast

Fantasia Barrino

Rosena M. Hill Jackson & Cast

Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Carmen Ruby Floyd and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Fantasia Barrino

Rosena M. Hill Jackson

T. Oliver Reid and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Rosena M. Hill Jackson & Taprena Michelle Augustine (from A Night with Janis Joplin)

Rosena M. Hill Jackson & Taprena Michelle Augustine (from A Night with Janis Joplin)

Director Warren Carlyle and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Fantasia Barrino, Rosena M. Hill Jackson and Dule Hill

Fantasia Barrino, Rosena M. Hill Jackson and Dule Hill

Fantasia Barrino and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Fantasia Barrino and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

T. Oliver Reid and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

T. Oliver Reid and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Rosena M. Hill Jackson and Carmen Ruby Floyd

Rosena M. Hill Jackson and Carmen Ruby Floyd

Director Warren Carlyle and Rosena M. Hill Jackson

Rosena M. Hill Jackson