A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, the latest receipient was NEWSIES cast member Aaron J. Albano at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City.
At the song and dance ceremony, cast members who were making their Broadway debuts were acknowledged at the center of the stage, and then Kobak proceeded to circle the room in the robe in celebration with the entire cast.
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.
Tickets are available for purchase through NewsiesTheMusical.com, by calling Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 , or in person at the Nederlander Theatre box office (208 W. 41st Street). The Nederlander Theatre box office will be open Monday through Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm through March 11th. Beginning March 12th box office hours will be Monday through Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm and Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride


Jeremy Jordan & Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Matthew J. Scjechter & Harvey Fierstein

Recipient Mark Cassius from Jesus Christ Superstar

Recipient Mark Cassius from 'esus Christ Superstar

Cast Maembers making their Broadway debuts

Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Ryan Steele, Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco, Ben Fankhauser, Alex Wong, Kyle Coffman, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Capathia Jenkins

Aaron J. Albano & Recipient Mark Cassius from Jesus Christ Superstar

Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Ben Fankhauser, Tommy Bracco, Alex Wong, Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan, Capathia Jenkins & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Harvey Fierstein & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Harvey Fierstein

Aaron J. Albano with Company

Aaron J. Albano with Company

Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter & Harvey Fierstein

Aaron J. Albano, Lara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Tommy Bracco & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Andy Richardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

ichardson, Kara Lindsay, Jeremy Jordan & Company

Aaron J. Albano with Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Harvey Fierstein & Company

Aaron J. Albano & Company

Aaron J. Albano & Company

Aaron J. Albano & Company

Aaron J. Albano, Harvey Fierstein & Nick Wyman

Aaron J. Albano, Harvey Fierstein & Nick Wyman

Aaron J. Albano & Harvey Fierstein

Aaron J. Albano, Actors Equity Executive Director Mary McColl & Nick Wyman

Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano & Jeremy Jordan

Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter

Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter

Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter

Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Aaron J. Albano, Jeremy Jordan, Lewis Grosso, Andrew Keenan-Bolger & Matthew J. Schechter

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