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Michael Bennett

マイケル・ベネット

Maikeru Benetto

Aliases: Michael DiFiglia

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1943-04-08 （Buffalo, New York）
Died
1987-07-02 （Tucson, Arizona） age 44
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Unknown
Residence History
Buffalo, New York → New York City → Tucson, Arizona

Career

Occupations
choreographer, dancer, director, writer
Active Years
1961-1987
Influenced By
Jerome Robbins
Nominations
1967 Tony Award for Best Choreography (A Joyful Noise), 1968 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Henry, Sweet Henry), 1969 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Promises, Promises), 1970 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Coco), 1971 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Company)

Education

Bennett High School
Unknown
Period: 10代
Country: United States
Dropped out of high school

Awards

Tony Award
1972
Work: Follies
Category: Best Direction of a Musical
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Tony Award
1972
Work: Follies
Category: Best Choreography
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Tony Award
1974
Work: Seesaw
Category: Best Choreography
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Tony Award
1976
Work: A Chorus Line
Category: Best Direction of a Musical
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Tony Award
1976
Work: A Chorus Line
Category: Best Choreography
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Tony Award
1979
Work: Ballroom
Category: Best Choreography
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Tony Award
1982
Work: Dreamgirls
Category: Best Choreography
Organization: American Theatre Wing
Result: Won
Pulitzer Prize
1976
Work: A Chorus Line
Category: Drama
Organization: Columbia University
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A Chorus Line

1975 Musical

Revolutionary musical about the lives and auditions of Broadway chorus dancers, created via workshop process.

struggles of dancersself-realizationBroadway reality
Adaptations
  • [Film] A Chorus Line / Richard Attenborough (1985)

Dreamgirls

1981 Musical

Depicts the rise of a girl group and exploitation in the music industry.

racial exploitationcost of successmusic industry
Adaptations
  • [Film] Dreamgirls / Bill Condon (2006)

Promises, Promises

1968 Musical

Hit musical for which he provided choreography.

Follies

1971 Musical

Co-directed and choreographed Stephen Sondheim's musical.

Company

1970 Musical

Co-directed and choreographed Stephen Sondheim's musical.

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Choreography motivated by the musical's form or characters, not a particular style like FosseInnovative Broadway production numbers
Recurring Motifs
chorus dancersbackstage lifehuman limitations

Health

  • AIDS-related lymphoma
    1985-1987
    Cause of death
  • Addiction to cocaine, quaaludes, and alcohol
    晩年
    Severely affected ability to work, relationships, and led to paranoia

Legacy

Master of Broadway musicals who pioneered the workshop process with A Chorus Line, winning 7 Tony Awards. Left portion of estate to AIDS research.

Archives

  • Michael Bennett Papers, Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University

In Popular Culture

  • Portrayed in the 2001 musical A Class Act

Trivia

  • Was bisexual
  • Married Donna McKechnie from 1976 to 1977 (div. 1979)
  • Concealed his AIDS diagnosis until death
  • Purchased and converted 890 Broadway into rehearsal studios