Peter Gennaro

Peter Gennaro (November 23, 1919 – September 28, 2000) was an American dancer and choreographer.

Peter Gennaro
Born(1919-11-23)November 23, 1919
Metairie, Louisiana, USA
DiedSeptember 28, 2000(2000-09-28) (aged 80)
New York City, New York, USA
Occupation(s)Choreographer, dancer
Years active1948-1997
Spouse
Jean Kinsella
​
(m. 1948⁠–⁠2000)​
Awards

Biography

Gennaro was born in Metairie, Louisiana. He made his Broadway debut in the ensemble of Make Mine Manhattan in 1948. He followed this with Kiss Me, Kate (1948) and Guys and Dolls (1950). He first drew notice from theatergoers as a member of the trio that danced the Bob Fosse number "Steam Heat" in The Pajama Game (1954), and continued to hold their attention with the "Mu Cha Cha" number with Judy Holliday in Bells Are Ringing (1956). A year later, he broke out of the chorus line and into choreography when he collaborated with Jerome Robbins on 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 Your Hit Parade, The Andy Williams Show, Judy Garland's CBS variety program, and the Kraft Music Hall. With his dance troupe, he was a guest on Ed Sullivan's CBS Sunday night variety show dozens of times, and was a member of the regular 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

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. Jones, Kenneth (September 30, 2000). "Peter Gennaro, Choreographer of Molly Brown, Annie and More, is Dead at 80". Playbill. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  2. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946 - Present (4th ed.). Ballantine Books. p. 424. 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)
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