Arts & Entertainment

Goodspeed Musicals Longtime Leader To Retire

The Goodspeed Musicals' Board of Trustees will conduct a national search to find a replacement for the retiring Michael Price, who has led the organization for 45 years.

A press release from the Goodspeed Musicals' Board of Trustees:

Goodspeed Musicals’ Board of Trustees announced today that a change in leadership will occur at the theatre after the 2014 season. Michael Price, who has led the organization for 45 years, has decided to retire from the position of Executive Director at the end of 2014 but will remain active with Goodspeed in advisory and fundraising roles through 2016. 

“Michael Price has been an extraordinary and tireless leader of Goodspeed Musicals for virtually its entire existence. In 1968, he arrived at a small, struggling summer theatre and built it into one of the most respected, artistically successful and financially secure theatres in the country. The institution he entrusts to his successor is among the elite of American artistic institutions, having shaped musical theatre for generations of audiences and artists from our East Haddam and Chester stages to Broadway and beyond. We are extremely grateful for Michael’s service and leadership,” said John F. (Jef) Wolter, President of the Goodspeed Board of Trustees.

“I have had the honor and the privilege of leading Goodspeed Musicals for more than 45 years but believe with my whole heart, that the time has come to pass the reins onto someone new who will lead the institution into its next phase. The greatest joy is working with the most incredible theatrical team ever assembled, a team that together will take Goodspeed to even greater heights. I look forward to working with our Board of Trustees and staff during the transition period,” said Michael Price.

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 “It has been my privilege and thrill to lead Goodspeed and help make theatre magic. Every Goodspeed production has been a joint effort between our audience members, our Board of Trustees, our supporters, our amazing staff and some of the most talented artists—both on the stage and behind the scenes—to ever work in theatre. I know that with their continued passion and support, Goodspeed’s future is brighter than ever,” added Price.

The Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for a new Executive Director who is expected to assume leadership of Goodspeed in late 2014. “The Board of Trustees and our staff have been preparing for this transition and are extremely confident that Goodspeed’s future is bright and secure,” said Wolter. “We are also excited about the search process and the prospect of bringing a worthy successor to Michael into the Goodspeed family.   Goodspeed will continue to provide the world-class musical theatre experience that our audiences expect at the Goodspeed Opera House and The Norma Terris Theatre,” added Wolter.

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Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional works at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The first regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement,) Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre.    


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