- Bennett, Michael
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orig. Michael Bennett Difigliaborn April 8, 1943, Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.died July 2, 1987, Tucson, Ariz.U.S. dancer, choreographer, and stage musical director.He began dancing at age three and left high school to tour in a production of West Side Story. His major contribution to dance was as choreographer-director of Broadway musicals such as Promises, Promises (1968), Company (1970), Follies (1971), and Dreamgirls (1981). His most remarkable musical was A Chorus Line (1975, Pulitzer Prize), which he conceived, directed, and choreographed. Bennett personally received eight Tony awards during his career.
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▪ American dancer and choreographeroriginal name Michael Bennett DiFigliaborn April 8, 1943, Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.died July 2, 1987, Tucson, Ariz.American dancer, choreographer, and stage musical director.Bennett studied many styles of dance and began his career as a dancer in productions of West Side Story and Subways Are for Sleeping. His major contribution to the dance scene was as a choreographer-director of Broadway musicals, notably in Promises, Promises (1968), Coco (1969), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Chorus Line (1975), and Dreamgirls (1981). His beginnings as a dancer were most strongly reflected in A Chorus Line, which was made for and about dancers. This musical was conceived, directed, choreographed, and coproduced by Bennett; it won nine Tony awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for drama and became one of the longest-running musicals in the history of Broadway theatre. Bennett received eight Tony awards and several New York Drama Critic awards during his career.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
