Jenny Gersten Named VP and Artistic Director of Musical Theatre at NYCC

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/30/25 at 4:45pm

Just announced today. Looks like NYCC is reforming the position of the Encores! Artistic Director to oversee all musical theatre productions at NYCC. Curious if they’d bring back the Off-Center series. Also, Gersten doesn’t appear to be a director herself, so I’m sure deBessonet will still be around in some capacity.
 

“Tony-winning producer Jenny Gersten has been named VP & Artistic Director, Musical Theatre at New York City Center. The new role will see Gersten leading the Manhattan venue's Encores! series along with the annual gala presentations. The hiring follows the departure of Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, who is set to exit the position to take the reins at Lincoln Center Theater beginning in June.”

[Kad]

Posted: 1/30/25 at 4:50pm

Gersten is an excellent choice for this.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/30/25 at 5:07pm

Jack Viertel wasn’t a director himself either.

Gersten is a great choice and it’s a natural expansion of her current role. Gersten might have actually been a better choice for LCT.

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 1/30/25 at 5:13pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Jack Viertel wasn’t a director himself either.

Gersten is a great choice and it’s a natural expansion of her current role. Gersten might have actually been a better choice for LCT."

What do you see as Gersten's strengths, I'm curious.

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 1/30/25 at 5:34pm

Her relationships with commercial producers seem to be very plentiful so I expect the steady rate of NYCC Broadway transfers and partnerships to continue.

I think this is great news! She is clearly very qualified.

[THDavis]

Posted: 1/30/25 at 6:02pm

Congrats to Jenny! Excellent choice.