Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside MOTOWN's Gypsy Robe Ceremony!
By: Walter McBride Jul. 18, 2016
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Motown the Musical returned to Broadway last week at The Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41 Street) for a strictly limited 18-week-only engagement through Sunday, November 13, 2016. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the sacred Gypsy Robe ceremony and below, check out photos of recipient Rod Harrelson with the company!
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
Berry Gordy and Charles Randolph-Wright
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Charles Randolph-Wright and Allyson Tucker
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Charles Randolph-Wright and Allyson Tucker
Justin Prescott from 'Paramour'
Justin Prescott from 'Paramour'
Justin Prescott from 'Paramour'
Brian Stokes Mitchell and Allyson Tucker
Cast members making their Broadway debut
Cast members making their Broadway debut
Brian Stokes Mitchell during the Actors' Equity Gypsy Robe Ceremony honoring Rod Harrelson for 'Motown The Musical' at the Nederlander Theatre on July 14, 2016 in New York City.
Berry Gordy and Rod Harrelson with cast
Rod Harrelson with the cast
Charles Randolph-Wright and Rod Harrelson with cast
Rod Harrelson with the cast
Rod Harrelson and Charles Randolph-Wright
Rod Harrelson and Charles Randolph-Wright
Rod Harrelson and Charles Randolph-Wright
Rod Harrelson and Chester Gregory
Rod Harrelson and Chester Gregory
Rod Harrelson with the cast
Charles Randolph-Wright, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Allyson Tucker
Cast members making their Broadway debut
Charles Randolph-Wright, Berry Gordy, Allyson Tucker and Brian Stokes Mitchell
Charles Randolph-Wright, Berry Gordy, Allyson Tucker and Brian Stokes Mitchell
Kevin McCollum and Berry Gordy
Kevin McCollum, Berry Gordy and Charles Randolph-Wright
Kevin McCollum, Patricia Wilcox, Berry Gordy and Charles Randolph-Wright
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