Gennaro succeeds Michael Price, who will retire at the end of this year after concluding his 46th season at Goodspeed. Gennaro will assume leadership of Goodspeed Musicals in February 2015.
Gennaro is known as a successful leader of prominent theatrical institutions, including the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, RI, where he has served as the executive director since 2007.
He has appeared in the Broadway company of Godspell, and his father, Peter, choreographed the original Broadway production of Annie and Annie II at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre. His sister has choreographed several Goodspeed productions, including The Most Happy Fella, which transferred to Broadway in 1991.
"It is a great honor that Goodspeed's Board of Trustees has chosen me to lead this remarkable institution at this specific moment in its acclaimed history and an even greater honor to follow Michael Price who has had such an enduring influence on musical theatre," said Gennaro in a statement. "As I have followed Goodspeed's evolution over the years I have always been struck by its singular commitment to fostering creativity across the bridge between established and emerging forms of musical theatre. It is my hope that in the years to come Goodspeed will continue to be an unparalleled resource for the development and inspiration of future artists who will define the American Musical Theatre in the 21st century."
The search for Goodspeed's new leader was conducted by a committee comprised of Goodspeed trustees with assistance from Thomas Hall of Albert Hall & Associates. Francis G. Adams, chairman of the Goodspeed board of trustees, chaired the search committee. The 2015 season at the Goodspeed Opera House was selected by Price and the Goodspeed producing team. It includes Guys and Dolls, La Cage aux Folles and the world premiere of The Honeymooners. The 2015 season at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre will be announced at a later date.
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