This is the second part of my conversation with author Barry Kester whose fascinating new book is titled: Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL.
Exclusive Photos: Jess LeProtto Takes Home the Gypsy Robe for CAROUSEL!
By: Walter McBride
Carousel officially opened earlier this month at the Imperial Theatre and BroadwayWorld at the Gypsy Robe ceremony before the production's opening night performance. We're taking you behind the scenes with recipient Jess LeProtto below!
LeProtto's Broadway credits include: Hello, Dolly!; Cats; On the Town; Newsies; Bye Bye Birdie; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; The Boy From Oz. National: "So You Think You Can Dance" tour, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Television: "So You Think You Can Dance." LeProtto attends Pace University.
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 the 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
Brendon Stimson, from Mean Girls
Brendon Stimson, from Mean Girls
Cast members making their Broadway debut
Cast members making their Broadway debut
David Westphal, Jess LeProtto and Brendon Stimson
Jess LeProtto with Justin Peck, Jessie Mueller, Roy Furman, Lindsey Mendez and Renee Fleming
Jess LeProtto with Jessie Mueller, Roy Furman, Lindsey Mendez and Renee Fleming
Jess LeProtto with Justin Peck, Jessie Mueller, Roy Furman and Lindsey Mendez
Jess LeProtto with Joshua Henry, Margaret Colin, Jessie Mueller, Lindsay Mendez and Renee Fleming
Jess LeProtto with Joshua Henry, Margaret Colin, Jessie Mueller, Amar Ramasar, Lindsay Mendez, Renee Fleming, Justin Peck and Jack O'Brien
Jess LeProtto with the cast and creative team
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Podcasts
Encore Episode: Round in Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL, part 1
My guest on Broadway Nation this week is Barry Kester, author of the fascinating new book: Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL. I thought I knew a lot about Carousel — and in fact Albert Evans and I have previously devoted several previous episodes to that show and its truly groundbreaking innovations.
#264 Dianté Lodge - Stage Dreams, Screen Realities; Spotlight on Dianté
Dianté Lodge / @diantelodge is currently in the ensemble in EVITA in London's West End! Theatre credits include: MJ The Musical (Prince Edward); Matilda (Cambridge); Peter Pan (The London Palladium); Carousel (Kilworth House); Best of West End (Royal Albert Hall); Coppelia (Cockpit).
Jessie Mueller (Tony Award Winner, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) on Growing Organically
In this Artist Exploration, Jessie and Charlie discuss: Growing up in the Chicago Theater scene with the family in the business. Stepping into the role of Carole King. Setting future goals and the building blocks of each role. Unpacking the “it’ factor.
TONY Award Winner, Jessie Mueller is perhaps the realest, most candid guest ever, as she stops by to Take A Bow!
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