A Chorus Line No. 1 - Michael Bennett
- Lauryn Johnson
- Jul 1
- 1 min read
Michael Bennett was born Michael DiFiglia on April 8, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, and began dancing professionally as a teenager. He moved to New York City to pursue Broadway and quickly rose through the ranks as a dancer before becoming a choreographer and director. Bennett revolutionized musical theater with his visionary work on shows like Company, Follies, and most famously A Chorus Line, which earned him nine Tony Awards. He died of AIDS-related lymphoma in 1987 at the age of 44, leaving behind a legacy that redefined the role of the ensemble and celebrated the heart of the American musical. Below you can see Michael freestyling in a bedroom in the late 1960s
(right) Photo by Jack Mitchell, 1966.
Michael sat down in 1986 to discuss with Terry Gross his casting and audition methods for A Chorus Line, how he handles firing people, why the show was a success, and how you know when its time to close. ⬇️
Interview by Terry Gross, 1986.
Fresh Air WHYY Philadelphia Radio
Posted on YouTube by Damien Slattery
On the occasion of the 3,389th performance on Broadway, A Chorus Line became the longest-running show in Broadway history. Michael Bennett reflected on this milestone in the interview below:
If you enjoy this historical work and would like to see it continue, I would be grateful for your help! I aim to raise $3,000 to cover the production costs of this season. Click here to donate towards my goal. Thank you!
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