Michael Bennett Popular Books

Michael Bennett Biography & Facts

Michael Bennett (April 8, 1943 – July 2, 1987) was an American musical theatre director, writer, choreographer, and dancer. He won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven. Bennett choreographed Promises, Promises, Follies and Company. In 1976, he won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and the Tony Award for Best Choreography for the musical A Chorus Line. Bennett, under the aegis of producer Joseph Papp, created A Chorus Line based on a workshop process which he pioneered. He also directed and co-choreographed Dreamgirls with Michael Peters. Early life and career Bennett was born Michael DiFiglia in Buffalo, New York, the son of Helen (née Ternoff), a secretary, and Salvatore Joseph DiFiglia, a factory worker. His father was Italian American and his mother was Jewish. He studied dance and choreography in his teens and staged a number of shows in his local high school - Bennett High School in Buffalo, NY - before dropping out to accept the role of Baby John in the US and European tours of West Side Story. He gave himself a new last name when he pursued this life in the arts, taking inspiration from his high school. Bennett's career as a Broadway dancer began in the 1961 Betty Comden–Adolph Green–Jule Styne musical Subways Are for Sleeping, after which he appeared in Meredith Willson's Here's Love and the short-lived Bajour. In the mid-1960s he was a featured dancer on the NBC pop music series Hullabaloo, where he met fellow dancer Donna McKechnie. Bennett made his choreographic debut with A Joyful Noise (1966), which lasted only twelve performances, and in 1967 followed it with another failure, Henry, Sweet Henry (based on the Peter Sellers film The World of Henry Orient). Success finally arrived in 1968, when he choreographed the hit musical Promises, Promises on Broadway. With a contemporary pop score by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, a wisecracking book by Neil Simon and Bennett's well-received production numbers, including "Turkey Lurkey Time", the show ran for 1,281 performances. Over the next few years, he earned praise for his work on the straight play Twigs with Sada Thompson and the musical Coco with Katharine Hepburn. These were followed by two Stephen Sondheim productions, Company and Follies, co-directed with Hal Prince. In 1973, Bennett was asked by producers Joseph Kipness and Larry Kasha to take over the ailing Cy Coleman–Dorothy Fields musical Seesaw. In replacing the director Ed Sherin and choreographer Grover Dale, he asked for absolute control over the production as director and choreographer and received credit as "having written, directed, and choreographed" the show. A Chorus Line and the 1980s Bennett's next project was A Chorus Line. The musical was formed out of twenty hours of taped sessions with Broadway dancers. Bennett was invited to the sessions originally as an observer but soon took charge. He co-choreographed and directed the production, which debuted in July 1975 off-Broadway. It won nine Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He later claimed that the worldwide success of A Chorus Line became a hindrance, as the many international companies of the musical demanded his full-time attention. Bennett would later become a creative consultant for the 1985 film version of the musical but left due to creative differences. He always sought creative control over his projects, but Hollywood producers were unwilling to give him the influence he demanded. There are some filmed records which testify to the show's initial power. Television talk-show host Phil Donahue devoted an entire program to the original cast, during which they reminisce and recreate some of the musical numbers. The 2008 feature-length documentary Every Little Step chronicles the casting process of the musical's 2006 revival, with re-created choreography by Bennett's long-time associate Baayork Lee, and, in the course of the film, the saga of the original production is re-told as well, through the use of old film clips and revealing interviews from the original collaborators, including Lee, Bob Avian (who was the show's original co-choreographer with Bennett and the director of the revival), composer Marvin Hamlisch and the original's leading lady, Donna McKechnie. Bennett's next musical was a project about late-life romance called Ballroom. Although financially unsuccessful, it garnered seven Tony Award nominations, and Bennett won one for Best Choreography. He admitted that any project that followed A Chorus Line was bound to be an anti-climax. Bennett had another hit in 1981 with Dreamgirls, a backstage epic about a girl group like The Supremes and the expropriation of black music by a white recording industry. In the early 1980s, Bennett worked on various projects, one of which was titled The Children's Crusade, based on a legendary story "Children's Crusade", but none of them reached the stage. In 1978, he purchased 890 Broadway and converted it for use as a rehearsal studios complex for dance and theatre. In 1986, he was forced to sell it for $15 million due to stress-induced angina and the financial losses of the property. Two tenants purchased the building, and it remains a rehearsal facility for American Ballet Theatre, Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech, Gibney Dance Company, and others. He always collaborated with his assistant Bob Avian, who was a lifelong friend. In 1985, Bennett abandoned the nearly-completed musical Scandal, by writer Treva Silverman and songwriter Jimmy Webb, which had been developing for nearly five years through a series of workshop productions. The show was sexually daring, but the conservative climate and the growing AIDS panic made it unlikely commercial material. He was then signed to direct the West End production of Chess but had to withdraw in January 1986 due to his failing health, leaving Trevor Nunn to complete the production using Bennett's already commissioned sets. Analysis Unlike his more famous contemporary Bob Fosse, Bennett was not known for a particular choreographic style. Instead, Bennett's choreography was motivated by the form of the musical involved, or the distinct characters interpreted. In act 2 of Company, Bennett defied the usual choreographic expectations by deliberately taking the polish off the standard Broadway production number. The company stumbled through the steps of a hat and cane routine ("Side By Side") and thus revealed to the audience the physical limitations of the characters' singing and dancing. Bennett made the audience aware that this group had been flung together to perform, and that they were in over their heads. He intended the number to be not about the routine, but rather the characters behind it. The song "One" from A Chorus Line functions in a different way. The various phases of construction/rehearsal of the number are shown, and because the show is about professional dancers, the last performance.... Discover the Michael Bennett popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Michael Bennett books.

Best Seller Michael Bennett Books of 2024

  • Alex Cross, Run synopsis, comments

    Alex Cross, Run

    James Patterson

    If Alex Cross stops running, he will die . . . three serial killers are on the loose, and they want revenge.Detective Alex Cross arrests renowned plastic surgeon Elijah Creem for s...

  • I, Michael Bennett synopsis, comments

    I, Michael Bennett

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    Police officers shot . . . judges murdered . . . and Detective Michael Bennett is the killer's next target.Detective Michael Bennett arrests an infamous Mexican crime lord in a dea...

  • Burn synopsis, comments

    Burn

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    Detective Michael Bennett finally returns to New York Cityand to the most unsettling, horrific case of his career in this #1 New York Times bestseller.At last, Detective Michael Be...

  • Cross Justice synopsis, comments

    Cross Justice

    James Patterson

    For Alex Cross, the toughest cases hit close to homeand in this deadly thrill ride, he's trying to solve the most personal mystery of his life.When his cousin is accused of a heino...

  • Step on a Crack synopsis, comments

    Step on a Crack

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    As he faces a devastating personal loss, Detective Michael Bennett is about to take on the most sinister challenge of his career: a kidnapping crisis that could destroy the most po...

  • The 9th Judgment synopsis, comments

    The 9th Judgment

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    The Women's Murder Club takes on two deranged killers, but Detective Lindsay Boxer begins to wonder if the mysterious case is also breaking apart her closest friendships.During an ...

  • Alert synopsis, comments

    Alert

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    In this New York Times bestseller, Detective Michael Bennett must race against time to save New York City from chaos by tracking down the source of two mysterious attacks.New Yorke...

  • Roses Are Red synopsis, comments

    Roses Are Red

    James Patterson

    Alex Cross races against time as a series of crimes stuns Washington, D. C.and he might be facing his most brilliant enemy yet.   In a series of terrifying crimes, bank robbe...

  • The 6th Target synopsis, comments

    The 6th Target

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    When a horrifying attack leaves one of the Women's Murder Club struggling for her life, the others fight to keep a madman behind bars before anyone else is hurt.Lindsay Boxer and h...

  • 14th Deadly Sin synopsis, comments

    14th Deadly Sin

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    With San Francisco under siege and every cop a suspect, the Women's Murder Club must risk their lives to save the cityand each other. With a beautiful baby daughter and a devoted h...

  • Violets Are Blue synopsis, comments

    Violets Are Blue

    James Patterson

    Detective Alex Cross must confront his most terrifying nemesis ever and his own deepest fears in this electrifying thriller from the world's #1 bestselling writer. D.C. Detective...

  • 12th of Never synopsis, comments

    12th of Never

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    It's finally time! Detective Lindsay Boxer is in laborwhile two killers are on the loose.Lindsay Boxer's beautiful baby is born! But after only a week at home with her new daughter...

  • Haunted synopsis, comments

    Haunted

    James Patterson & James O. Born

    Detective Michael Bennett and his family are ready to escape New York for a vacation in Mainebut a shocking scene deep in the woods reveals a dark world of drugs and murder.Haunted...

  • 1st to Die synopsis, comments

    1st to Die

    James Patterson

    Four crimesolving friends face off against a killer in San Francisco in the Women's Murder Club novel that started James Patterson's thrilling series.Each one holds a piece of the ...

  • Tick Tock synopsis, comments

    Tick Tock

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    NYC's #1 detective, Michael Bennett, has a huge problemthe Son of Sam, the Werewolf of Wisteria and the Mad Bomber are all back. The city has never been more terrified!When a rash ...

  • Worst Case synopsis, comments

    Worst Case

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    Alex Cross has Washington, D. C. The Women's Murder Club has San Francisco. Detective Michael Bennett has all of New York City, chaos capital of the world.The son of one of New Yor...

  • 4th of July synopsis, comments

    4th of July

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    The world's bestselling detective series has never been more suspenseful. Trapped in deadly showdowns, courtroom trials, and dangerous secrets, the Women's Murder Club must fight f...

  • The 8th Confession synopsis, comments

    The 8th Confession

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Join the Women's Murder Club on an exhilarating thrill ride as love and murder test their friendships like never before.Someone is killing the richest people in the cityand the Wom...

  • Ambush synopsis, comments

    Ambush

    James Patterson & James O. Born

    Only Detective Michael Bennett stands in the way of two lethal cartels fighting for New York City's multimilliondollar opioid trade. And they know where he and his family live.An a...

  • Kiss the Girls synopsis, comments

    Kiss the Girls

    James Patterson

    Join Alex Cross on his most terrifying murder case yet in this #1 New York Times bestseller and one of PBS's "100 Great American Reads."In Los Angeles, a reporter investigating a s...

  • Cross Fire synopsis, comments

    Cross Fire

    James Patterson

    Alex Cross encounters his most explosive case ever as a D. C. assassin picks off politicians . . . and his most deadly enemy is waiting to kill everyone he loves. Detective Alex Cr...

  • The People vs. Alex Cross synopsis, comments

    The People vs. Alex Cross

    James Patterson

    With explosive charges and shocking evidence, Alex Cross is about to face the trial of the century in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.Alex Cross is on the wrong side of th...

  • Along Came a Spider synopsis, comments

    Along Came a Spider

    James Patterson

    Discover the classic thriller that launched the #1 detective series of the past twentyfive years, now one of PBS's "100 Great American Reads"Alex Cross is a homicide detective with...

  • 2nd Chance synopsis, comments

    2nd Chance

    James Patterson & Andrew Gross

    The Women's Murder Club returns for another thrilling crime investigation. Will their skills be enough to take down a brutal madman?A brutal madman sprays bullets into a crowd of c...

  • Unlucky 13 synopsis, comments

    Unlucky 13

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    The Women's Murder Club is stalked by a killer with nothing to lose. San Francisco Detective Lindsay Boxer is loving her life as a new mother. With an attentive husband, a job she ...

  • 3rd Degree synopsis, comments

    3rd Degree

    James Patterson & Andrew Gross

    In James Patterson's shockingly suspenseful #1 New York Times bestseller, one member of the Women's Murder Club is hiding a secret so dangerous that it could destroy them all.One o...

  • The President Is Missing synopsis, comments

    The President Is Missing

    James Patterson & Bill Clinton

    Don't miss the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller from the world's bestselling author, James Patterson: an "undeniably gripping ride through the hidden passageways of power and...

  • 10th Anniversary synopsis, comments

    10th Anniversary

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Secrets. Lies. Murder. In this pulsepounding Women's Murder Club novel, mysteries and lives unravel.Detective Lindsay Boxer's longawaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memo...

  • Kill Alex Cross synopsis, comments

    Kill Alex Cross

    James Patterson

    With relentless danger around every corner, Detective Alex Cross is hunting down a kidnapper . . . but only if someone powerful doesn't kill him first.The President's son and daugh...

  • Never Never synopsis, comments

    Never Never

    James Patterson & Candice Fox

    The #1 New York Times bestseller of a brilliant investigator facing the shock of her brother's murder arrest . . . and her own exile in the Australian outback.Harry Blue is the top...

  • The 5th Horseman synopsis, comments

    The 5th Horseman

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Dare to face the most terrifying heights of suspense. From hospital murders to explosive court battles, the Women's Murder Club takes on their most harrowing challenge yet.It is a ...

  • 11th Hour synopsis, comments

    11th Hour

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Your best friend . . . or a vicious killer? You won't know until the 11th Hour.Lindsay Boxer is pregnant at last! But her work doesn't slow for a second. When millionaire Chaz Smit...

  • Crosshairs synopsis, comments

    Crosshairs

    James Patterson & James O. Born

    “Turn. Up. The. Heat” (New York Times) with this psychological thriller. New York City detective Michael Bennett faces his most terrifying killer ever. It could be anyone. They cou...

  • I, Alex Cross synopsis, comments

    I, Alex Cross

    James Patterson

    When a beloved relative is murdered, Detective Alex Cross vows to hunt down the killer . . . and discovers a secret that could rock the entire world.Detective Alex Cross is pulled ...

  • 16th Seduction synopsis, comments

    16th Seduction

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Still recovering from her husband's betrayal, Detective Lindsay Boxer faces a series of heartstopping crimes and a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy San Francisco.Fifteen...

  • Gone synopsis, comments

    Gone

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    A crime lord has declared war on America. Only Detective Michael Bennett knows why.Manuel Perrine doesn't fear anyone or anything. A charismatic, ruthless strongman, he slaughters ...

  • Blindside synopsis, comments

    Blindside

    James Patterson & James O. Born

    When New York City's Mayor is desperate to find his missing daughter, Detective Michael Bennett steps in to help the Mayor and strike a deal to save his son in prison.Bennett and t...

  • Merry Christmas, Alex Cross synopsis, comments

    Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

    James Patterson

    On Christmas Eve, Alex Cross must risk everything to solve a mystery and stop a hostage situation from spiraling out of control.It's Christmas Eve and Detective Alex Cross has been...

  • Bullseye synopsis, comments

    Bullseye

    James Patterson

    In a stunning thriller from the world's #1 bestselling writer, New York Detective Michael Bennett is caught in the crossfire of a deadly standoff, and he must kill . . . or be kill...

  • The Russian synopsis, comments

    The Russian

    James Patterson & James O. Born

    When a serial killer crashes Detective Michael Bennett's wedding, he and his new partner uncover a gruesome string of coldcase homicides across the country.Weeks before NYPD Detect...

  • 15th Affair synopsis, comments

    15th Affair

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    When an alluring blonde with ties to the CIA disappears from a murder scene, Detective Lindsay Boxer turns to the Women's Murder Club to help her track down an elusive suspect: her...

  • 7th Heaven synopsis, comments

    7th Heaven

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Discover the Women's Murder Club's most terrifying case ever in this New York Times bestseller. As a terrible series of fires blazes through California, the heat begins to rage too...

  • Texas Ranger synopsis, comments

    Texas Ranger

    James Patterson

    In James Patterson's #1 New York Times bestselling thriller, a Texas Ranger fights for his life, his freedom, and the town he loves as he investigates his exwife's murder.Across th...

  • Invisible synopsis, comments

    Invisible

    James Patterson & David Ellis

    Read the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller Invisible, then continue the series with Unsolved. Everyone thinks Emmy Dockery is crazy. Obsessed with finding the link between h...

  • The Summer House synopsis, comments

    The Summer House

    James Patterson & Brendan DuBois

    When seven murder victims are found in a small town, the homicide investigation shakes a smalltown sheriff to her core in James Patterson's tense thriller.Once a luxurious southern...

  • Cross My Heart synopsis, comments

    Cross My Heart

    James Patterson

    The stakes are higher than ever for Alex Cross as he faces his most personal enemy yet: a criminal who threatens his family.Detective Alex Cross is a family man at heart: nothing m...

  • Hope to Die synopsis, comments

    Hope to Die

    James Patterson

    Detective Alex Cross is being stalked by a psychotic genius, forced to play the deadliest game of his career. Cross's familyhis loving wife Bree, the wise and lively Nana Mama, and...

  • Cross the Line synopsis, comments

    Cross the Line

    James Patterson

    Homicide Detective Alex Cross teams up with his wife to beat a D. C. criminal at his own game.Washington, DC, has never been more dangerous. After shots pierce the tranquil nightti...