Walter M. Mayes presents the Legacy Robe to Ruby Delgros for Once Upon A Mattress
There is something special about opening night. After weeks or months of rehearsals, the music, the costumes, the scenery, and the countless details that bring a production to life finally coalesce before an audience. But at South Bay Musical Theatre, opening night has always been about more than a performance. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the people who have brought the show to life, recognize those who have helped build our organization, and honor traditions that connect us to more than six decades of community theatre.
My own history with SBMT predates the organization’s name. I joined in 2008, playing the lead in Man of La Mancha, and directed The Producers the following year. By the time The Producers opened, the organization had changed its name from the Saratoga Drama Group to South Bay Musical Theatre. Even then, we were a 46-year-old theatre company with a rich collection of traditions, many of them centered on food, drink, and the simple pleasure of celebrating together.
One of our most enduring traditions is the opening night gala, held in front of the theatre immediately after the performance. In years past, these gatherings could be quite elaborate, with catered hors d’oeuvres and, for many years, a particularly memorable plate of deviled eggs. Champagne was always available for a celebratory toast, along with sparkling cider for those who preferred a nonalcoholic alternative. Members of our Board of Directors served as hosts, while the cast changed out of costume and glammed up a bit for the occasion. Once everyone gathered on the steps and in the area outside the theatre, we raised our glasses to the production, the company, and the continued health and success of SBMT. The festivities have become more streamlined over the years, and there may be less food than there once was (there was so…much…food!), but the spirit of the occasion remains unchanged.
Opening weekend also includes a special awards ceremony following our preview performance. This is our opportunity to recognize the many people whose work makes a production possible, with particular attention to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to a show or to the continuing life of our theatre. The Bobo Reardon Newcomer Award is named after a longtime member of the Saratoga Drama Group whose welcoming spirit and enthusiasm for bringing new people into the SBMT family became legendary. We present it to the company member making their debut on our stage in the current production, and who best embodies the welcoming spirit of Bobo Reardon.
At Preview Night for In The Heights, Doug & Diane Hughes were presented with the Bless Your Heart Award.
We also recognize an outstanding orchestra member, and a technical achievement award is given for nearly every production. The annual Howard Miller “Bless Your Heart Award,” presented as a stuffed bear created by Elyse Cook, is awarded by the SBMT Board and celebrates the contributions of members who, like Howard himself, truly embody the soul and spirit of our community organization. And then there is perhaps our most treasured tradition: the Legacy Robe.
Given to a member of the ensemble who has made an outstanding contribution to the production, it is descended from the Broadway “Gypsy” robe, a name now discontinued because it is a racist slur against the Romani people. This is the only SBMT award that comes with responsibilities as well as the certificate and flowers. The recipient of the award has a set of traditions to follow before the curtain can go up on opening night, and must also add their own design touches to the robe reflecting the experience of that particular production, and then present it to the next recipient at the next preview performance.
We are now on our sixth Legacy Robe, each one covered with patches, artwork, and memorabilia commemorating productions across our history, reaching back to the 1970s. More than a costume, the robe is a living scrapbook of the people, performances, and shared experiences that have shaped SBMT. Every patch tells a story, and together they remind us that no production stands entirely on its own. Each one becomes part of a much larger story, carried forward by the people who volunteer their time, share their talents, and welcome the next generation into our theatre family.
I was honored to receive the Bobo Reardon Newcomer Award in 2008. I could hardly have imagined then that I would eventually become Artistic Director, with the responsibility of helping shape the future of an organization I had only just joined. Now, as we enter our 64th season, I find myself thinking often about balance, honoring our past as I work to envision what comes next. Traditions matter because they connect us to the people who came before us. Still, they also remind us of the values we want to carry forward: generosity, welcome, artistic excellence, and a shared commitment to making something wonderful as part of a community.
The next time you join us for a production, remember that the performance you see onstage is only part of the story. Behind it is a community of actors, musicians, designers, technicians, volunteers, board members, and supporters, all contributing to something larger than themselves. If you are already part of the SBMT family, thank you for helping sustain these traditions. If you are new to us, whether as an audience member, a volunteer, or a prospective performer, there is a place for you here. See a show, meet the people who make it happen, and help us write the next chapter of South Bay Musical Theatre’s story.
— Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director
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