“The first Robe ceremony I was able to be a part of was in Oklahoma! at the Gershwin Theatre in 2002. Learning about this amazing tradition and seeing the joy on Harvey Evans’s face when he received that robe was very emotional then, and it all came flooding back to me when I was honored with the Robe for Escape to Margaritaville. This unique ‘tip of the cap’ tradition helps to acknowledge all the hard work that an Ensemble member does within an existing show. And also how hard it is to maintain working, going from show to show and carving out some sort of a career for yourself in this crazy business.”
Name: Matt Allen
Hometown: Jerseyville, Illinois
First Broadway Credit: Annie Get Your Gun in 2001.
Professional Training: I got my Bachelor’s degree in Music-Jazz Performance (Trumpet) with a minor in Dance at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Year Joined Equity: I joined in 1998.
How I Got My Equity Card: I got my Equity card with a TIA Pow Wow industrial.
Number of Broadway Chorus Contract Credits: I’ve had six Broadway chorus contracts to date: Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma!, The Wedding Singer, Honeymoon in Vegas, Something Rotten! and Escape to Margaritaville.
Fun Fact: I am married to Paula Wise, a former Broadway dancer. We met on the national Broadway tour of Monty Python’s Spamalot. We currently live in South Orange, NJ, with our French bulldog, Satine. "Showmances" sometimes work out well!!!
Matt Allen celebrates his Robe with fellow members of his cast. Photo by Walter McBride.
Matt Allen and fellow cast members of Escape to Margaritaville. Photo by Walter McBride.
View the full gallery of photos
Watch a video of the ceremony
