Peter Gennaro
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Peter Gennaro (November 23, 1919 in Metairie, Louisiana – September 28, 2000 in New York City) was a Tony Award-winning American dancer and choreographer.
Gennaro 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.
In addition to his theater chores, Gennaro worked steadily in television, appearing in and/or choreographing such shows as Your Hit Parade, Judy Garland's variety show, and the Kraft Music Hall. With his dance troupe he was a guest on Ed Sullivan's long-running Sunday night variety show dozens of times, and he was a member of the regular repertory company on the short-lived CBS variety show The Entertainers (1964-65). He also served for many years as choreographer for Radio City Music Hall, staging routines for the Rockettes.
His daughter Liza Gennaro is also a dancer and choreographer, and his son Michael has served as executive director of both the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Paper Mill Playhouse. The family lived for a while in Paramus, New Jersey.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Theater credits
- 1997 Annie (revival) (Choregraphy)
- 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)
[edit] Tony Awards and nominations
- 1982 Best Choreography for Little Me (nominee)
- 1977 Best Choreography for Annie (winner)
- 1973 Best Choreography for Irene (nominee)
- 1965 Best Choreography for Bajour (nominee)
- 1960 Best Choreography for Fiorello! (nominee)
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bob Avian and Michael Bennett for A Chorus Line |
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography 1976-1977 for Annie |
Succeeded by Bob Fosse for Dancin' |
[edit] References
- ^ Shanley, John P. "GENNARO -- COMO'S DANCING MASTER", The New York Times, October 15, 1961.
