The company of An American in Paris just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual, at which the recipient from Gigi bestowed the honor on Jennie Ford. 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

Brandon Uranowitz and Leanne Cope

Jill Paice and Christopher Wheeldon

Christopher Wheeldon and Brandon Uranowitz

Christopher Wheeldon and Brandon Uranowitz

Robert Fairchild and Max von Essen

Brandon Uranowitz, Robert Fairchild and Max von Essen

Brandon Uranowitz, Robert Fairchild and Max von Essen

Brandon Uranowitz, Robert Fairchild and Max von Essen

Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen

Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen

Brandon Uranowitz and Max von Essen

Broadway Debuts: Leanne Cope and Robert Fairchild with fellow cast members

Jennie Ford with the cast

Jennie Ford with the cast

Jennie Ford with the cast

David Westphal, Jennie Ford and Vasthy

David Westphal, Jennie Ford and Vasthy

Jennie Ford with Charlie Sutton

Charlie Sutton, Jennie Ford and Vasthy

Jennie Ford with Jill Paice, Leanne Cope and the cast

Jennie Ford with Christopher Wheeldon and the cast

Jennie Ford with Max von Essen, Brandon Uranowitz and cast

Jennie Ford with Max von Essen, Brandon Uranowitz and cast

Jennie Ford with Veanne Cox, Leanne Cope and the cast

Jennie Ford with Robert Fairchild with the cast

Jennie Ford with Max von Essen, Brandon Uranowitz and cast

The ensemble cast

The ensemble cast

The ensemble cast

Charlie Sutton and Jennie Ford

Jennie Ford and Jean-Luc Choplin

Jennie Ford with Veanne Cox, Jill Paice, Leanne Cope, Robert Fairchild, Max von Essen and Brandon Uranowitz

Jennie Ford with Veanne Cox, Jill Paice, Leanne Cope, Robert Fairchild, Max von Essen and Brandon Uranowitz

Jennie Ford with Veanne Cox, Jill Paice, Leanne Cope, Robert Fairchild, Max von Essen and Brandon Uranowitz

The ensemble cast

The ensemble
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