Florence Brooks-Dunay, also known as
Florence Baum, started the tradition of the Gypsy Robe in 1950 with the show
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Bill Bradley, who was in the chorus of
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, received her dressing gown and sent it to a friend on opening night of
Call Me Madam. From there, the robe was passed to
Guys and Dolls and became a tradition. Brooks-Dunay has also been seen on Broadway in
Two's Company and
Top Banana, and she performed in the touring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's
Allegro. To read more about The Gypsy Project, a collaboration with “CBS Sunday Morning,” click
here. To see more interviews, click
here.