The Gypsy 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 Gypsy 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 Gypsy 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 Gypsy Robe:

2009
Bus Stop - Perl Woolam

2008
CAHOOTS – Thomas Cozine
The Foreigner - Dorthy Saitz
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
Rasuptin – 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