Peter Gennaro

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Peter Gennaro
Born(1919-11-23)November 23, 1919
Choreographer, dancer
Years active1948-1997
Spouse
Jean Kinsella
​
(m. 1948⁠–⁠2000)​
Awards

Peter Gennaro (November 23, 1919 – September 28, 2000) was an American

choreographer
.

Biography

Gennaro was born in

West Side Story, notably choreographing (without credit) a majority of the "America" and "Mambo" dance sequences.[1]

In addition to his theater chores, Gennaro worked steadily in television, appearing in and/or choreographing such shows as

repertory company on the short-lived CBS variety show The Entertainers (1964–1965), which starred, among others, Ruth Buzzi, Carol Burnett, John Davidson and Bob Newhart.[2] He also served for many years as choreographer for Radio City Music Hall, staging routines for The Rockettes.[3]

He was inducted, posthumously, into the

American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2002.[4]

Personal life

Gennaro met his wife, Jean Kinsell, while working in Chicago and the two married in 1948.[1] His daughter, Liza, is also a dancer and choreographer and Dean of Musical Theatre at Manhattan School of Music.[5] His son Michael is the Executive Director for Trinity Repertory Company and previously served as executive director of both the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Paper Mill Playhouse.[6] The family lived for a time in Paramus, New Jersey up to 1972.[7]

Gennaro died in New York City on September 28, 2000, age 80. He is survived by wife, Jean, daughter, Liza, and son, Michael.[1]

Stage productions

  • 1997 Annie (revival) (Choreography)
  • 1989
    Threepenny Opera
     (Musical Staging)
  • 1983 Singin' in the Rain (London) (Choreography)
  • 1982 Little Me (revival) (Choreography)
  • 1980 West Side Story (revival) (Co-Choreography); One Night Stand (Choreography)
  • 1979 Carmelina (Choreography)
  • 1978 Bar Mitzvah Boy (London) (Choreography)
  • 1977 Annie (Choreography)
  • 1973 Irene (Choreography)
  • 1969
    Jimmy!
     (Choreography)
  • 1964 Bajour (Choreography)
  • 1964 West Side Story (revival) (Co-Choreographer)
  • 1962 Mr. President (Choreography)
  • 1960 The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Choreography)
  • 1959 Fiorello! (Choreography)
  • 1957 West Side Story (Co-Choreography)
  • 1956 Bells Are Ringing (Performer)
  • 1954 The Pajama Game (Performer)
  • 1950 Guys and Dolls (Performer)
  • 1950 Arms and the Girl (Performer)
  • 1948 Kiss Me Kate (Performer)
  • 1948 Make Mine Manhattan (Performer)

Awards and nominations

Awards
  • 1977 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography – Annie
  • 1977 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Annie
Nominations
  • 1960 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Fiorello!
  • 1965 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Bajour
  • 1973 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Irene
  • 1982 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Little Me
  • 1999 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Theatre Choreographer – Annie

References

  1. ^ a b c Jones, Kenneth (September 30, 2000). "Peter Gennaro, Choreographer of Molly Brown, Annie and More, is Dead at 80". Playbill. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  2. ISBN 978-0-3074-8320-1
    . Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Peter Gennaro". San Francisco Chronicle. October 5, 2000. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  4. ^ Ridge, Richard. "The Theatre Hall of Fame Awards". Broadway Beat. Archived from the original on 2006-11-17.
  5. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (March 12, 2018). "Manhattan School of Music Names Broadway Veteran Liza Gennaro Director of Musical Theatre". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  6. ^ "About Us". Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. Trinity Rep.
  7. ^ Shanley, John P. (October 15, 1961). "Gennaro--Como's Dancing Master". The New York Times. (subscription required)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Gennaro&oldid=1194999758"