Gerry, along with wife Laurie and mother Joan Thompson, were the original founders of Desert Stages Theatre, which began in 1995 as a children's theatre in central Scottsdale . Gerry served as Artistic Director from our theatre's humble beginnings until March, 2005, when he passed away. He pioneered Desert Stages' tremendous growth, turning this children's theater into an award-winning, multi-faceted performing arts center that's now located in downtown Scottsdale .
Gerry touched many lives with his artistic talents-both on stage and behind the scenes. An accomplished director, actor, musician and lyricist, he left a legacy of wonderful original musicals and original scores to adapted stories. His popular The Butterfly's Day , The Ugly Duckling , Charlotte's Web , Alice in Wonderland, In The Kingdom of Clouds , Cinderella and many more continue to live on in the hearts of actors and audience members. He was also the creative genius behind several multi-media touring productions that addressed a wide range of health issues-from tobacco to end-of-life care. His body of work was honored locally and nationally with such prestigious awards as The President's Daily Point of Light Award; Arts Advocate of the Year Award; and the distinguished Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award.
Gerry completed his undergraduate work at Jersey City State College and received his MFA from the prestigious Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University . Studying classical guitar under the renowned Maestro Segovia, he developed a proficiency and style evident in the scores he composed for numerous productions. Gerry's talents as an actor were wide-ranging-he studied under Sanford Meisner and his over 200 credits range from Shakespeare to popular musicals and the modern classics of Beckett and Brecht. He has appeared on stage with such award-winning actors as Martha Raye, Avery Brooks, Olympia Dukakis and Julie Bovasso. His skills and talents have been utilized by many theatre groups nationwide. He served as artistic director for the New Mercury Theatre at 91 st Street Playhouse in Manhattan and as Musical Director for Actor's Playhouse at NY's Sheridan Square . He has held residency status with numerous companies, including New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, The Whole Theatre Company, Bergen Stage, Barn Theatre, La Mama Playhouse and The Forum Theatre. During the early 1980's and 90's, Gerry opened and operated several New Jersey-based theatres, including: The Mystery Playhouse in Rutherford; The Lanark Dinner Theatre in Phillipsburg; City Stages at Jersey City State College; and the Actor's Café at Bradley Beach.
