Theater News

Michael Gennaro Will Leave Paper Mill Payhouse to Head Trinity Rep

Michael Gennaro
Michael Gennaro

Michael Gennaro, president and CEO of the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, will step down from that position in February and will become executive director of Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island in September 2007.

At Trinity, he will succeed Edgar Dobie, who resigned earlier this year, and will work in partnership with the theater’s artistic director, Curt Columbus. “I am truly excited to be joining my good friend Curt,” stated Gennaro. “Moreover, I am honored to be joining one of the most respected regional theaters in the country, in a city in the midst of such an extraordinary renaissance.”

Paper Mill has not yet named a permanent replacement for Gennaro; during the transition period, associate artistic director Mark Hoebee and managing director Diane Claussen will assume management of the theater, working in collaboartion with Gennaro. “I am proud of the accomplishments of the theater under the leadership team I have put together,” Gennaro stated. “The time has come for me to take on new challenges, and I leave Paper Mill with a committed staff and dedicated board to carry on.”

During Gennaro’s tenure, Paper Mill produced such shows as Harold & Maude with Estelle Parsons, The Drawer Boy with John Mahoney, and Hello, Dolly! with Tovah Feldshuh. It is currently presenting the musical A Wonderful Life. Upcoming productions include Summer and Smoke, Romance/Romance and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Prior to working at Paper Mill, Gennaro had been executive director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre for seven years and had held high-level positions at New Jersey’s George Street Playhouse, Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre, and the Pennyslvania Ballet. His father, Peter Gennaro, was renowned as a choreographer, dancer, and director; his mother, Jean Kinsella, is a dancer as well.