The Gypsy Robe ritual began in 1950 when Bill Bradley, in the chorus of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, persuaded Florence Baum, a fellow chorus member, to let him have her dressing gown. As a lark, he sent it to a friend, Arthur Partington, a Call Me Madam chorus member, on opening night, telling him it had been worn by all the Ziegfeld beauties. Arthur added a rose from star Ethel Merman's gown and sent it to a chorus member on the next opening night of Guys and Dolls.
The tradition, which is more than 60 years old, occurs when the chorus member with the most number of Broadway Chorus credits puts on the robe, and circles the stage three times while cast members reach out and touch the Robe for good luck. The recipient of the Robe then visits each dressing room to "bless" the show. A panel representing their show is then added to the Robe, which is passed on to a recipient in the next chorus musical that opens.
This name is no longer appropriate, particularly as we engage in our work to reduce hiring bias in the theatre industry. Equity's National Council has decided that it's time to move forward together and rename the Robe. Please enter your member ID number and email address on file with Actors' Equity to confirm your membership.