Gretna Theatre has appointed Michael Philip O'Brien as its executive producer following a national search. O'Brien replaces Brian Kurtas, who will transition to the newly created position of associate artistic director at Walnut Street Theatre.

O'Brien comes to Gretna Theatre from 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia, where he was co-founder and producing artistic director since 2005. Under O'Brien's leadership, 11th Hour Theatre Company garnered over 55 Barrymore nominations for excellence in Philadelphia theater, winning 15 awards, including Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Over his 16 years at 11th Hour, O'Brien produced multiple world premiere musicals and over 20 Philadelphia premieres, and developed more than 10 new musicals with writers from across the U.S. As a performer, O'Brien is a five-time Barrymore Award nominee and a two-time winner for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical. Additional performing credits include Theatre Under the Stars, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Milwaukee Rep, Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company, and Bristol Riverside Theatre. O'Brien is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a focus in musical theater.

Since 2018 under Kurtas, Gretna Theatre saw 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 its amount of programming and educational outreach.

Gretna Theatre is in its 95th season. The 2022 summer season will be programmed through a joint effort of Kurtas and O'Brien.

For more information about Gretna Theatre, visit http://www.gretnatheatre.org. Updates on safety procedures are available at http://www.gretnatheatre.org/safety.