the Robe, then introduces the new production's recipient. History The ritual dates to 1950, when Florence Baum, a chorus member in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, entered the men's dressing room wearing a robe, pale pink with white feathers. The men took turns trying it on. Fellow chorus member Bill Bradley sent a dressing gown from one of his fellow performers to his friend performing in Call Me Madam. A feathered rose from Ethel Merman's costume was attached to the robe, and it was then given to a chorus member in Guys and Dolls. The robe continued to be passed from one show to another, each time with a memento added on. The ritual has become more formal, with rules about how it is presented, worn and displayed. When robes are full of artifacts, a new robe is started. Retired robes are kept at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, at the Smithsonian, and at Actors' Equity. In 2005, Brynn Williams from the Broadway cast of In My Life became the youngest recipient of the Robe at age 12. On April 18, 2018, Actors Equity announced that the name of robe would be changed at the end of the current theater season. A poll was opened to union members to vote on a new name. The new name chosen is the "Legacy Robe"; the first Legacy Robe presentation took place on July 26, 2018, during the musical Head Over Heels. References External links Gypsy Robe at the Actors' Equity Web site—background on "gypsies" and the Gypsy Robe Broadway's Gypsy Robe at City Lore Bill Bradley obituary, New York Times The Gypsy Robe, CBS Sunday Morning "Robes & Recipients" actorsequity.org Actors' Equity Association Broadway theatre Musical theatre Theatrical organizations in the United States Arts and media trade groups Robes and cloaks