Co-choreographer of West Side Story (1957). While Peter Gennaro received credit as the co-choreographer of West Side Story his contribution is seldom acknowledged.This exhibit aims to honor and claim his artistic participation and include him in the historic narrative of this groundbreaking musical.
Liza Gennaro
My father, Peter Gennaro was the co-choreographer of West Side Story. Jerome Robbins engaged him on the condition that he agree to a contract relinquishing his rights to all work he created for the show. Historians of West Side Story have reported that Gennaro's work was mostly limited to creating dances for the Sharks in “America” and “Dance at the Gym.” However, this exceptional collection of photographs by Martha Swope and Vandamm Studios and interviews with original cast members offers a more complex understanding of Gennaro’s collaboration with Robbins.
Judy Holliday and Peter Gennaro in the stage production Bells Are Ringing (1956) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Peter Gennaro performing "Mu Cha Cha" with Judy Holliday in the original production of Bells Are Ringing (1956).
Bells Are Ringing story The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Liza Gennaro discusses her father's relationship with Jerome Robbins.
Peter Gennaro's contract for the original production of West Side Story Peter Gennaro's contract for the original production of West Side StoryOriginal Source: New York Public Library
Robbins and Gennaro agreed that Gennaro would be listed as “co-choreographer,” but that the copyright for the show would belong exclusively to Robbins.
Peter Gennaro's contract for the original production of West Side Story Peter Gennaro's contract for the original production of West Side Story. Page 2Original Source: New York Public Library
Peter Gennaro's contract for the original production of West Side Story Peter Gennaro's contract for the original production of West Side Story. Page 3Original Source: New York Public Library
Peter Gennaro directing Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Historians have reported Gennaro choreographed the musical number "America" and parts of the "Dance at the Gym". Marilyn D'Honau (a Jet) and Liane Plane (a Shark) who worked with him remember him fondly.
"The lure for Robbins..." The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Liza Gennaro discusses her father's training at The Katherine Dunham School and his professional relationship with Chita Rivera.
Rehearsal for "America"
These photographs by Vandamm Studios document Gennaro's choreography for the musical number "America."
Peter Gennaro (facing upstage), Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Chita Rivera changing shoes mid-rehearsal.
Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Chita Rivera and Shark women perform Dance break from "America".
Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Dance break continues...
Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Liza Gennaro reports that after a performance of West Side Story her father was standing in the back of the theatre with Robbins when director George Abbott approached them and congratulated Robbins on the show. He went on to say that he especially loved “America." Robbins gestured to her father and said "this is the young man who choreographed it." Based on that meeting Abbott hired Peter Gennaro to choreograph Fiorello! (1959) for which he received a Tony Nomination for Best Choreography.
Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Liza remembering her father and West Side Story. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Liza Gennaro tells her father's story about choreographing "America."
"Dance at the Gym"
Peter Gennaro rehearses Sharks and Jets in the "Dance at the Gym."
Peter Gennaro directing dancers during rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Peter Gennaro directing dancers during rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Robbins and Gennaro together
Photographs document Robbins and Gennaro's collaboration.
Jerome Robbins directing Chita Rivera and dancers in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Robbins performs a step with Chita Rivera while Gennaro looks on.
Peter Gennaro directing dancers in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Gennaro executes the same step as Robbins.
Peter Gennaro directs dancers in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Gennaro is participating in a rehearsal of the "Prologue", demonstrating the movements of a Jet.
Peter Gennaro directs dancers in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Gennaro (on top) demonstrates a move in the Prologue.
Peter Gennaro directs dancers in rehearsal for the Prologue of the stage production of West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Gennaro "runs" from the scene during rehearsal for the Prologue.
Jerome Robbins, Peter Gennaro, Chita Rivera and cast in rehearsal for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Friedman-Abeles The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Jerome Robbins and Peter Gennaro with Chita Rivera performing Gennaro's Shark entrance in "Dance at the Gym".
"When you look back on it." The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Liza Gennaro discusses why her father agreed to sign the contract that Robbins offered him.
Dancers rehearsing for the stage production West Side Story (1957) by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Choreographer Peter Gennaro working w. Lily, Miss Hannigan and Rooster on a scene from the Toronto production of the musical "Annie." by Martha Swope The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
After West Side Story, Gennaro went on to choreograph several Broadway hits including the Pulitzer-Prize winning musical Fiorello! (1959) and the original Broadway production of Annie (1977) for which he won a Tony Award. He is seen here rehearsing "Easy Street" from Annie.
Curated by Liza Gennaro and Doug Reside.
Photographs by Martha Swope and Vandamm Studios.
