CCM musical theater grad Andrew Palermo, Broadway vet of shows including “Wicked” and choreographer of “Ace” at Playhouse in the Park will direct and choreograph “Two Gentlemen of Verona” for CCM in winter 2009.

Terrell Finney, division chair, notes, “Andrew was in the CCM production when he was a student and has amassed an impressive career as an actor/choreographer/director. ... Especially as “Two Gents” contains so much dance, it seemed prudent to engage someone who could cover both the directing and choreographic aspects of the work, and Andrew is very excited at returning “home” for this project.”

Along with his theater work, Palermo co-founded contemporary dance company, dre.dance (http://www.dredance.com), with his childhood friend, Taye Diggs.