MOUNT GRETNA, PA — August 18th, 2021 — Gretna Theatre is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Philip O’Brien to Executive Producer of Gretna Theatre following a national search. O’Brien comes to Gretna Theatre from 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia where he was Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director since 2005.
“I am so thrilled to be joining the team here at Gretna Theatre and to be a part of this wonderful organization and community,” says O’Brien. He continued, “I am looking forward to continuing the incredible work that Brian, the staff, and the board have done to make Gretna Theatre a destination for exceptional professional theatre in Central PA!” Under O’Brien’s leadership, 11th Hour Theatre Company garnered over 55 Barrymore nominations for excellence in Philadelphia theatre, winning 15 Awards including Outstanding Production of a Musical.
Speaking on the departure of current Executive Producer, Brian Kurtas, who will transition to the newly created position of Associate Artistic Director at Walnut Street Theatre, Gretna Theatre Board President, Patrick Castagna said, “It has been a privilege to work with Brian Kurtas while he was the Executive Producer at the Gretna Theatre. He aimed for and reached a higher level of excellence for our theatre and the audience overwhelmingly appreciated it. The Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia will truly benefit from Brian’s expertise and knowledge and we wish him the best.”
Since 2018 under Brian Kurtas, Gretna Theatre had seen successful growth in subscription and fundraising revenue, setting modern company records for income, cash reserves, and a retirement of debt.. Despite the downturn in Covid-19, Gretna Theatre has also increased the amount of programming, educational outreach, and has re-established itself as one of the region’s top year-round destinations for entertainment. Gretna Theatre is about to enter it’s 95th Season, which is set to be announced at their last production of the 2021 season, Dino! An Evening with Dean Martin. Gretna Theatre is America’s Oldest Summer Theatre and Lebanon County’s Only Professional Theatre. The future 2022 summer season will be programmed through a joint effort of Kurtas and O’Brien together.
Michael Philip O’Brien – Michael is a native Philadelphian and a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a focus in musical theater. He is a co-founder and the former Producing Artistic Director of 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia. Over 16 years at 11th Hour, Michael has produced multiple World Premiere Musicals, over twenty Philadelphia premieres and developed more than 10 new musicals with writers from all over the United States. Under his leadership, 11th Hour productions have received fifteen Barrymore Awards for excellence in Philadelphia theatre and garnered 55 Barrymore Award nominations. As a performer, Michael is a five-time Barrymore Award nominee and a two-time winner, for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical (Avenue X, 2009) and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (Field Hockey Hot, 2016). Additional Performing credits include: Theatre Under The Stars; Jazz at Lincoln Center; Milwaukee Rep; Walnut Street Theatre; Arden Theatre Company; Delaware Theatre Company; Bristol Riverside Theatre; 11th Hour Theatre Company.
Author: Amaury Abreu
