Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside the HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Gypsy Robe Ceremony

By: Jun. 23, 2014
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The company of Holler If Ya Hear Me just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual. 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.

Recognizing their cultural and historic value, the 2007-2008 Gypsy Robe can now be viewed on the 14th floor Council lobby of Equity's National Headquarters in New York.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Dyllon Burnside, Tonya Pinkins and cast

Holler If Ya Hear Me
John Earl Jelks

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson

Holler If Ya Hear Me
President Nick Wyman, Dyllon Burnside, Tonya Pinkins and cast

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams with cast and guests

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Saul Williams (upper right) with fellow cast members making their Broadway debuts

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson and Christopher Jackson with cast and guests

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer with cast and guests

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Andrea Goss, Tracee Beazer and David Westphal

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer and AEA's David Westphal

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Dyllon Burnside, Tonya Pinkins, Tracee Beazer and cast

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson, Christopher Jackson and Tracee Beazer with cast

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tonya Pinkins and Tracee Beazer with cast

Holler If Ya Hear Me
President Nick Wyman, Tracee Beazer and Tonya Pinkins

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Ben Thompson and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Donald Webber Jr. and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Donald Webber Jr. and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Donald Webber Jr. and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
President Nick Wyman and Christopher Jackson and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Christopher Jackson and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
John Earl Jelks and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
John Earl Jelks and Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer

Holler If Ya Hear Me
Tracee Beazer



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