The Robe

In 1985 during the production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Lin Hartzell thought it would be a good idea for CLOTA to institute the Broadway tradition of musical show directors' presenting the time-honored Robe to the chorus member whose all round support of the show and its people helped make production of the show a success and an enjoyable experience. Gypsy being the traditional name for members of the chorus because they usually traveled from show to show. CLOTA agreed that it was a fine idea. Lin bought and boxed a robe and requested that she be the one to choose the first recipient of the robe for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Director Sherry Parker fully concurred with Lin's choice. According to tradition, the robe was presented during the director's talk to cast and crew in the green room before the show's first performance, with Lin presenting the robe and describing the tradition. The very surprised recipient put on the robe, received the traditional hugs from everyone, and each performance night hung the robe backstage where all those connected with the show could see it and touch it for luck and encouragement. For several years only musical show directors chose the recipients of CLOTA's Robe. The tradition was so well received that the robe is now given to a non-lead cast member for all CLOTA shows. More recently directors have given the robe to the cast or crew member they feel has gone above and beyond for the show.

Following are the past recipients of the Robe:

2011

2010

Proof – Pearl Woolam

Cabaret – Richard Jackson

Arsenic and Old Lace – Curt Danhauser

2009

BUS STOP – William Ing – Pearl Woolam

I DO! I DO! – Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

Inspector Calls – JB Priestley

2008

CAHOOTS – Thomas Cozine

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Norelle I Shlanta

2007

Wayside Motor Inn – Greg Cote’

Incorruptible – Larry Lier

2006

Communicating Doors – Randy Ruth

HONK! – Robin Moen

Jake’s Women - Matt Trickey

2005

Moon Over Buffalo – Greg Shlanta

Arcadia – The Case and Crew

Siptfire Grille – Stacey D. Shoaf

2004

Sylvia – Tristan Kratz

City of Angels – Bill Gormley

My Three Angels – Carin Miles

2003

Children’s Hour – Dianna Taylor

A Christmas Carol – Vince Homer

2002

No Entry

2001

My Fair Lady – Trish Modlinski

2000

No Entry

1999

Jesus Christ Superstar – Conni Klamt

1998

Barefoot In The Park – Judy Ditzler

Lend Me A Tenor – Janis Jamison

Fantasticks – Reno Venturi

1997

No Entry

1996

The Music Man – Penny Belt

1995

The Secret Garden – Gilbert Breitenstein

1994

Sagebrush – Janis Jamison Nichols

Hollywood Serenade – Rozanne Paxman

1993

Bell, Book & Candle – Pyewacket

Nunsense – Deb Haydu

1992

Gypsy – Rick Haydu

Diaries Of Adam & Eve – Kathy Armstrong

Hotel Hollywood – Pat Skoog & Marsheela Kulchr

1991

Nuts – Alice Pastorius

Side by Side By Sondheim – Paul Riley

1990

Bungling Ballerinas – Harold Manning

Brighton Beach Memoirs – Dan Weston

Sweeney Todd – Ann Roseman

1989

Sir Simon – Bill Eastman

South Pacific – Cherie Farris

West Side Story – Beth Hoffman

1988

Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean – Theresa Smith

Cinderella – Carol Baldwin

She Loves Me – Darcy Dawes

The Curious Savage – Barbara Auld

1987

Rasputin – Gene Guilmette

Mirror Mirror – Mark Lowen

Forty Carats – Stan Caine

1986

Sing For Your Supper – Terri Combs

Camelot – Virginia Hanks

1985

Fiddler on the Roof – Jean Bormett

Once Upon A Mattress – Barbara Auld