CHATTER AWAY: Overnight Open Thread

The name of a 68-year Broadway tradition will change:

Actors’ Equity Association has announced that the organization’s National Council has voted to retire the name “Gypsy Robe” — the name of the ritual that occurs on the stage of every Broadway musical with a chorus on opening night before the audience is admitted — at the end of the current theater season. While the name will change, the ritual itself will continue next season.

The tradition, which began in 1950, occurs when the chorus member with the most 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.

The name is being retired, perhaps obviously, because the word “gypsy” has become increasingly viewed as pejorative in recent years. I imagine that Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will similarly rename their annual Gypsy Of The Year fundraiser. The first clip below about the history of the Gypsy Robe is quite interesting. Two of the Robes are on display at the Smithsonian.