Robert Pendilla Gets 'Swept Away' in the Legacy Robe

"The Legacy Robe is such a beautiful way of demonstrating how connected our Broadway community is. It’s a symbol of the love and support passed from one chorus member to the next, and all of us together keep this tradition alive.

"The Legacy Robe and all its traditions remind me that we're all a part of something much bigger, and how much we all care about one another. It recognizes the hard work and dedication of the chorus. There isn't a Tony Award category for ensemble members, so this is our big honor. I love tradition, and understanding the history of how the Robe is passed from show to show and given to one chorus member on opening night to bless the theater is so beautiful.

"For me, it felt like a giant hug. I felt like I was on top of the world. All the hard work and perseverance I've put in over the course of my career finally felt recognized. I adore this community so much. We are an amazing group of people that devote our life to creating art and telling stories."

Name: Robert Pendilla

Show: Swept Away

Opening Night: November 19, 2024

Hometown: Born and raised in Carson, California, near Los Angeles

Broadway Debut: "Thanks to Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus’s wedding, I made my Broadway debut in 2007 in Wicked. I was the universal singer swing filling in while they got married."

Professional Training: "My formal training came from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. But my main training came from watching my fellow performers on and offstage."

Year joined Equity: 2001
 
How I got my Equity card: In the World Premiere of Flower Drum Song at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles
 
Broadway Chorus credits: Wicked, Kinky Boots (original cast), Miss Saigon (original revival cast), A Beautiful Noise (original cast), Heart of Rock and Roll (original cast) and Swept Away (original cast)
 
Fun Fact: "I've always been an avid bowler and was the Young American Bowling Alliance Champion as a kid."