Photo by Aubrey Reuben
The November 1998 to December 2000 Gypsy Robe features a dark, leafy landscape from Jane Eyre, the Cat in the Hat's hat from Seussical, representative props from Peter Pan, including a hook, a stuffed alligator and fairy wings, and a towel-clad rear end from The Full Monty as well as memorabilia fromThe Music Man, Parade, Fosse, Annie Get Your Gun, The Civil War, Fascinating Rhythm, Saturday Night Fever, Kiss Me Kate, Marie Christine, Swing, Aida, Contact, Jesus Christ Superstar and Contact. Three gypsy robes —1987-1989, 1994-1995 and 1998-2000 — were donated to the Theatre Collection of the Museum of the City of New York on April 9.
One of the theatre's most enduring traditions, the passing of the Gypsy Robe dates back over 50 years. Dancing and singing chorus members — known as "gypsies" because they move from show to show — pass along a robe from show to show on each production's opening night. The chorus member who has appeared in the most Broadway musicals receives the robe and takes ownership until the next Broadway opening. Along the way, the robe is decorated and signed by everyone in the show becoming a fanciful patchwork for at least one theatre season.
— By Christine Ehren
