Getting to witness a Broadway tradition.
By Rachel James (Treasurer/Writer)
Tonight is opening night at my work. I’ve worked on several openings at this point, but this is my first Broadway opening of a musical. And with that great distinction, it will be my first time witnessing one of my favorite traditions: The Gypsy Robe Ceremony.
For those unfamiliar with the ceremony, here’s a little video Playbill made about it. Also, one of my favorite podcasts, The Ensemblist, did an excellent episode about it.
When I was in high school, I wrote an essay on how theatre was my religion. It sounds very melodramatic now, but the idea of a group of people working together in this long tradition of drama was very poignant to me. And it’s not just the tradition of getting together and telling a story to a group of people. It’s all the other folklore that goes along with the tradition of theatre.
St. Genesius, “break a leg”, the gypsy robe... these are all traditions that carry from show to show, regardless of the story being told. One thing that I really cherish working on Broadway is that sense of community. They are all a part of a grand tradition that honors not only the moment here, but all the other people that have succeeded in getting to opening night that season.
So happy opening, Shuffle Along! I can’t wait for the celebration.
RACHEL JAMES is a native New Yorker and theatre baby. Her plays have been produced by The 52nd Street Project and Starfish Theatreworks. She currently makes a living as a Broadway treasurer.
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Posted by: Timothy J. Mannion | Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 11:47 PM