Peter Gennaro | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1919-11-23)November 23, 1919 |
| Died | September 28, 2000(2000-09-28) (aged 80) |
| Occupation(s) | Choreographer,dancer |
| Years active | 1948-1997 |
| Spouse | |
| Awards | |
Peter Gennaro (November 23, 1919 – September 28, 2000) was an Americandancer andchoreographer.
Gennaro was born inMetairie, Louisiana. He made hisBroadway debut in the ensemble ofMake Mine Manhattan in 1948. He followed this withKiss Me, Kate (1948) andGuys and Dolls (1950). He first drew notice from theatergoers as a member of the trio that danced theBob Fosse number "Steam Heat" inThe Pajama Game (1954), and continued to hold their attention with the "Mu Cha Cha" number withJudy Holliday inBells Are Ringing (1956). A year later, he broke out of the chorus line and into choreography when he collaborated withJerome Robbins onWest 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 asYour Hit Parade,The Andy Williams Show,Judy Garland'sCBS variety program, and theKraft Music Hall. With his dance troupe, he was a guest onEd Sullivan's CBS Sunday night variety show dozens of times, and was a member of the regularrepertory company on the short-lived CBSvariety showThe Entertainers (1964–1965), which starred, among others,Ruth Buzzi,Carol Burnett,John Davidson andBob Newhart.[2] He also served for many years as choreographer forRadio City Music Hall, staging routines forThe Rockettes.[3]
He was inducted, posthumously, into theAmerican Theatre Hall of Fame in 2002.[4]
Gennaro met his wife, Jean Kinsella, 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 atManhattan School of Music.[5] His son Michael is the Executive Director forTrinity Repertory Company and previously served as executive director of both theSteppenwolf Theatre Company and thePaper Mill Playhouse.[6] The family lived for a time inParamus, New Jersey up to 1972.[7]
Gennaro died inNew York City on September 28, 2000, age 80. He is survived by wife, Jean, daughter, Liza, and son, Michael.[1]
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