Jerry Arrow, Broadway producer of Albert Innaurato’s long-running Gemini and Lanford Wilson's Tony Award-nominated Fifth of July, died January 7 at age 78.
Mr. Arrow was executive director of the award-winning Off-Broadway Circle Repertory Company from 1974 to 1978. It was during that period that the company rose to its national prominence. Among the more than 50 shows he produced at Circle Rep were Tennessee Williams’ Battle Of Angels, Jules Feiffer's Knock, Knock, and Lanford Wilson's The Mound Builders and Serenading Louie.
On Broadway, he was company manager of Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming and Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy, as well as general manager for Paul Zindel's The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. He also served in various capacities on Broadway for Black Comedy/White Lies, Wheelbarrow Closers, The Subject Was Roses, Little Murders, and The Unknown Soldier and His Wife. Off-Broadway credits include The Typists and The Tiger, A View From The Bridge, and In Circles. He was also the company manager for six companies of Hair, including the New York, Los Angeles, and national companies.
Mr. Arrow's greatest success was the Broadway production of Gemini starring Danny Aiello. The show opened May 21, 1977, at the Little (now Helen Hayes) Theatre and closed September 6, 1981, after playing 1,819 performances, making it the fourth longest-running play in Broadway history. The hit comedy also featured Reed Birney, Anne DeSalvo, Jonathan Hadary, Jessica James, Robert Picardo, and Carol Potter. Kathleen Turner and Wayne Knight later joined the cast.
His next production, Fifth of July, was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Play, and starred Christopher Reeve, Jeff Daniels, and Swoosie Kurtz. The show opened November 5, 1980, at the New Apollo Theatre and closed January 24, 1982, after playing 511 performances. Kathy Bates, Richard Thomas, Laraine Newman, and Michael O'Keefe also appeared during the run of the play.
After his career in theatre, Mr. Arrow served as general manager and controller at New York City's restaurant Serendipity 3 for over 20 years. Mr. Arrow dedicated his life to supporting the performing arts and will be remembered for his witty personality and extreme generosity.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Actors Fund: https://donate.actorsfund.org/honor-a-loved-one.
