Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside THE KING AND I's Gypsy Robe Ceremony!

The company of The King and I just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual, at which the recipient from Finding Neverland bestowed the honor on Lainie Sakakura. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you full 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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Theatre Marquee

Theatre Marquee

Kelli O'Hara

Director Bartlett Sher tre on April 16, 2015 in New York City.

Director Bartlett Sher

Cast members making their Broadway debuts

Cast members making their Broadway debuts

Ron Todorowski

Lainie Sakakura with Allyson Tucker and cast

Lainie Sakakura with Allyson Tucker

Lainie Sakakura with Allyson Tucker and cast

Lainie Sakakura and Allyson Tucker

David Westphal, Lainie Sakakura and Ron Todorowski April 16, 2015 in New York City.

David Westphal, Lainie Sakakura and Ron Todorowski

David Westphal, Lainie Sakakura and Ron Todorowski

David Westhphal and Lainie Sakakura

Kelli O'Hara

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura with Kelli O'Hara and the castk City.

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura with Director Bartlett Sher and the cast

Lainie Sakakura with the cast

Lainie Sakakura with the cast

Marc Oka, Lainie Sakakura and David Westphal

Kelli O'Hara

Kelli O'Hara

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

Kelli O'Hara and Lainie Sakakura

Kelli O'Hara and Lainie Sakakura

Kelli O'Hara and Lainie Sakakura

Kelli O'Hara and Lainie Sakakura

Director Bartlett Sher and Lainie Sakakura

Director Bartlett Sher and Lainie Sakakura

Director Bartlett Sher and Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura center with the ensemble cast

Lainie Sakakura center with the ensemble cast

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura

'The King and I'

'The King and I'

Theatre Marquee