Michael Bennett - Nominee

Michael Bennett ran off to join a European touring company of ‘West Side Story’ after dropping out of high school. Upon his return to New York he found work dancing in several Broadway shows as well as TV shows like ‘The Dean Martin Show’. Smart and talented, he was soon eager to try his hand at choreography. His new career began with a production called ‘A Joyful Noise’ (1966) which ran only 12 performances but earned Bennett his first Tony nomination. His first Broadway hit as a choreographer was ‘Promises Promises’ (1968) followed the next year by ‘Coco’ starring Katharine Hepburn, then Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Company’ (1970). In 1971 he both choreographed and co-directed ‘Follies’, another Sondheim show, and won Tony Awards in both categories. In 1975 he directed, choreographed, and wrote ‘A Chorus Line’ which became the longest running musical on Broadway up to that time. Next came the acclaimed ’Ballroom’ (1978). His final hit was as director and co-choreographer of ‘Dreamgirls’ (1981). What made Bennett unique as a choreographer was his lack of a specific style; instead he choreographed in the manner most suitable for the characters or concept of the show. All told Michael Bennett won an astounding seven Tony Awards, was nominated for an additional eleven, and received countess other honors and awards – including a Pulitzer Prize for ‘A Chorus Line’. His influence on musical theater was so profound it is hard to imagine the modern age of Broadway without him. Michael Bennett died of AIDS-related illness in 1987. His striking panel was among the first to be included in the original display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.