Babes in Arms - Guest Artistic Team

JOE DiPIETRO (Book)

Joe’s work was last seen on Broadway in ALL SHOOK UP at the Palace Theatre. His award winning production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is in its eleventh year Off Broadway playing to standing room only. Other work includes. O.Henry’s Lovers (with composer Michael Valenti) he provided the book to the new Gershwin musical, They All Laughed!, Memphis (with composer David Bryan) and a new book for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Allegro. Plays include Over the River and Through the Woods; The Kiss at City Hall; and The Art of Murder (Edgar Award, Best Mystery, 2000).

MICHAEL P. PRICE (Goodspeed)

is now in his 38th year as Executive Director of Goodspeed Musicals. Under Price's leadership the Goodspeed has earned an international reputation for musicals, pioneering the practice of restoring and revitalizing America's regional musical theater heritage, and earning two special Tony Awards. He is the founder of the League of Historic Theatres and served as its first president. Michael is the recipient of honorary doctorates in fine arts, honoris causa, from Connecticut College and the University of Hartford. He is also an Alumnus of Michigan State University. A recipient of the State of Connecticut Arts Award for service to the arts, and chairman of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. He serves on the board of the American Theatre Wing and the Tony Awards Management Committee. Of the 17 Goodspeed productions sent to Broadway, 16 were first produced at Goodspeed by Michael. He is married to Jo-Ann Nevas and they are the proud parents of Daniel and Rebecca. This brand new version of Babes in Arms was produced in association with The Rodgers and Hammerstein Library in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Richard Rodgers.

GREG GANAKAS (Stage Director)

Award-winning director, choreographer and teacher Greg Ganakas is represented by DGRW Talent Agency, NYC.

A winner of the Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Brigadoon), Ganakas’ credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, National and International Productions. He most recently collaborated with Disney Live Entertainment and Radio City Music Hall Productions. A committed educator, he has served on the faculty of New York University, where he founded their nationally-renown Music Theatre program.

Ganakas’ musical theatre directorial credits include productions of Caroline, or Change at Studio Theatre in Washington, DC which won the coveted 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical , Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Dallas Theatre Center; the world premiere of God Lives in Glass at the Provincetown Playhouse in New York City; Double Trouble at Stage One in Wichita; the world premiere of The Times at The Long Wharf , New Haven; Oklahoma! at the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul; Numerous productions for the Tony Award winning Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut including Babes in Arms, George M , The Pajama Game, and Brigadoon. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Dean Goodman Award for Outstanding Production) at the American Music Theatre of San Jose; the world premiere of White Lies at the American Stage Company written by Douglas Carter Beane, The Revival of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Winner of the 2005 Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the long running national tour of Damn Yankees.

His acclaimed work on the long-running, award-winning production of A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre earned the honor of Best Production of the Season by The Boston Globe, as well as the Moss Hart Awards for Best Direction and Best Production of the Year.

His array of work in opera and concerts includes his direction of “An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan” with the Boston Pops and Beverly Sills, which can be seen on PBS’ Great Performances series. He has also directed productions for the Minnesota Opera, Central City Opera, Omaha Symphony Holiday Fanfare, Glimmerglass Opera and Michigan Opera Theatre.

Ganakas served as Artistic Director for six years at the John Harms Center for the Performing Arts in Englewood, New Jersey where his work was recognized by the national endowment for the arts for excellence. Throughout his career, he has worked with numerous stars including Julie Andrews, Betty Buckley, Idina Menzel, Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Menken, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary Tyler Moore, Bernadette Peters,Susan Stroman and Harold Prince among others.

Originally from East Lansing, Michigan, Greg Ganakas resides in New York City. Visit www.gregganakas.com for additional information He is pleased to be a part of the 100 Years of Theatre at Michigan State University celebration and collaborating once again with Randy Skinner, Joe DiPietro and The Department of Theatre.

RANDY SKINNER (Choreographer)

is an award-winning director and choreographer whose work has encompassed Broadway, regional and Los Angeles productions. His new show Lone Star Love starring Randy Quaid begins previews on Broadway November 1st. He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Choreography for the 2001 revival of 42nd Street (as well as nominations for the Outer Critics, Drama Desk and Astaire Awards). Other Broadway credits include co-director and choreographer for the world premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair (Outer Critics nomination), choreographer for Ain’t Broadway Grand (Tony and Outer Critics nomination), and he assisted Gower Champion with the dances for the original 42nd Street. His production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas has premiered across the country.

Mr. Skinner also staged the London, Australia and two U.S. national companies and the recent Amsterdam production of 42nd Street. He choreographed and played the leading role of Val in a highly acclaimed production of Babes In Arms directed by the legendary Ginger Rogers. On the West coast, Mr. Skinner choreographed and played Victor in Pal Joey with Dixie Carter, choreographed and played Rudolph in Hello, Dolly! with Nell Carter, and choreographed Strike Up The Band with Tom Bosley.

He conceived, directed and choreographed Swing! The Big Band Hit Parade starring Margaret Whiting. He choreographed the Encores! production of Do Re Mi last season at City Center. Mr. Skinner has received award from the L.A. Drama and Bay Area Critics, LA Drama-Logue and Connecticut Critics.Randy has collaborated with Greg Ganakas on Babes in Arms,George M! and Guys and Dolls.

Babes in Arms Audition Information

Babes in Arms Production Information

Babes in Arms Synopsis of Scenes & Musical Numbers