Inside a storied Broadway legend's life and his friend's tragic death He started dance lessons at the age of 3 and by 12, he was versed in tap, ballet, modern and folk dancing. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. [32] He left a portion of his estate to fund research to fight the pandemic. CNN . Michael and I had so many great memories together. Mike- I was so shocked when I was told about your son. The show opened April 26, 1970. I like it,'' Mr. Bennett told The New York Times in 1983. He won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven. It was only with 1968s Promises Promises that he had his first hit, and the first time he was able to showcase Donna McKechnie. Born Michael Bennett DiFiglia, he grew up in Buffalo, New York, where he studied dance as a teenager and choreographed his high school musicals. For this set of episodes we're looking at a multi-part series from the Buffalo News Watchdog Team of Lou Michel, Dan Herbeck, and Mike McAndrew that launched Friday, Jan. 20, about a decades old. He had given. If you enjoy these columns, check out Up in the Cheap Seats: A Historical Memoir of Broadway, available at Amazon.com in hardcover, softcover and e-book. MICHAEL S. BENNETT, Ph.D., 58, of Hinckley, Oh, died May 8, 2003. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. But last night the torch was passed, firmly, unquestionably, once and for all.'' Bennett, under the aegis of producer Joseph Papp, created A Chorus Line based on a workshop process which he pioneered. It was also the occasion for his first work with Donna McKechnie, a dancer he would later call ''my favorite instrument,'' and to whom he would be briefly married. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Write your message of sympathy today. In October 1986, Mr. Bennett sold the building to several of the dance companies housed there. Mike was preceded by his grandparents Andrew and Sarah Bennett, James and Josephine Keogh, Roy and Lola Polk. Michael D Bennett Obituary 2022 - Hamilton Funeral Home-Lummis-Hamilton Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the Lummis Hamilton Funeral Home in Camp Point by Nathan Seaman. Camp Point, His legacy includes the choreography for Follies (1971), that he also co-directed with Harold Prince, and two shows he directed himself A Chorus Line (1975) and Dreamgirls (1980) which featured new levels of stagecraft and storytelling devices that dazzled critics and theatregoers alike. So he buckled down and launched something he would eventually have to call his own (much to his collaborators anger and confusion). 1118 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626. Its headline: "Michael Bennett, Theatre Innovator, Dies at 44." I had heard through the grapevine that he was dying, but nothing prepared me for seeing the finality of it in print. In addition to his medical practice, which has been shuttered, Dr. Bennett had a 500-acre farm with beef cattle, and he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Michael Bennett Obituary (1958 - 2022) - The Gazette When Prince offered Bennett a co-directing credit on Follies, the results elevated him to an equal footing with a master. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Michael Bennett Obituary (2020) - Harrisburg, PA - Patriot-News Still, he took over the troubled Seesaw, an ailing musical in its 1973 try out, and managed the rare feat of successfully overhauling it (firing so many people in the process, that those left standing felt like wounded war vets). [16] The show was sexually daring, but the conservative climate and the growing AIDS panic made it unlikely commercial material. He was also cherished by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins & friends. Donna McKechnie, a star of . Robert Bennett on Twitter: "RT @WAVY_News: UPDATE: @PortsmouthPD The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Man kills stepfather then himself in Lincoln County murder-suicide [23] In Dreamgirls, Bennett's musical staging was described as a "mesmerizing sense of movement": The most thrilling breakthrough of the extraordinary show is that whereas in A Chorus Line Michael Bennett choreographed the cast, in Dreamgirls he has choreographed the set. The song also featured Baayork Lee, who would go on to have a role in A Chorus Line, crafted to her specific talents (and life story), just like McKechnie. Ways to honor Michael Bennett's life and legacy. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. Dr. Michael Bennett hunted, fished and owned a farm, which helped him connect with his rural patients. 3rd National Fentanyl Rally & Illicit Drug Campaign - Everyone Welcome, Orchestra Concordia Free Community Concert. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Michael Bennett (Ottawa, Ontario), who passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 50, leaving to mourn family and friends. Exercising complete creative control as his goal, he achieved it with A Chorus Line. Harry Belafonte, activist and entertainer with a 'rebel heart,' dies at Bennett's career as a Broadway dancer began in the 1961 Betty ComdenAdolph GreenJule Styne musical Subways Are for Sleeping, after which he appeared in Meredith Willson's Here's Love and the short-lived Bajour. Email me with comments or questions at Ron@ronfassler.org. Police are asking anyone in the Oakview section of Drexel Hill near or off Bridge Street, or along the Baltimore Pike corridor in Clifton Heights, to contact them. 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. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. She survives. Its headline: "Michael Bennett, Theatre Innovator, Dies at 44." I had heard that he was dying, but nothing prepared me for seeing it in print; the finality of it. He became a multi-millionaire, and with that came power and paranoia (unquestionably linked to his drug use). What he did with a cast of mostly non-dancers was ingenious, and the show moved with a fluidity that Bennett steadily improved upon with Follies, A Chorus Line and finally Dreamgirls, where his integration of lighting, scenery and actors flowed seamlessly. After earning a bachelors degree in biology from the University of Missouri in Columbia, he received his medical degree from its medical school. As show doctor, he had contributed to Mr. How Now Dow Jones and Henry, Sweet, Henry came next, and Bennetts dances scored successfully, even if the shows didnt. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. [33] [34] Bennett's memorial service took place at the Shubert Theatre in New York City (the home at that time of A Chorus Line) on September 29, 1987. In the studios there, he produced, directed and choreographed ''Ballroom,'' which opened Dec. 14, 1978, his first new show after ''A Chorus Line.'' No more Lubitsch pictures.. He would get a twinkle in his eyes and the adventure would begin. Michael Bennett (theater) - Wikipedia Michael Bennett Obituary (1943 - 2017) | Grand Rapids, Michigan - Echovita Mr. Bennett had become involved with the show through the Shubert Organization and its president, Mr. Jacobs, to whom he had been close since the early 1970's. One of Broadway's most sought-after show doctors, he took over the Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields musical ''Seesaw,'' and changed every element from the choreography to the sets, costumes and lighting. [32] He left a portion of his estate to fund research to fight the pandemic. By the time ''Coco'' opened, he was collaborating with Mr. The various phases of construction/rehearsal of the number are shown, and because the show is about professional dancers, the last performance of the song-and-dance routine has all the gloss and polish expected of Broadway production values. Police officers shot Detective Michael Bennett arrests an infamous Mexican crime lord in a deadly chase that leaves Bennett's lifelong friend Hughie McDonough dead. . It was only with 1968s Promises Promises that he had his first hit, and the first time he was able to showcase Donna McKechnie. '', ''He understood the stage like no one else,'' Mr. Papp said. A year later, Mr. Bennett won his first two Tony Awards, as choreographer and co-director, with Mr. He most recently worked for Area Fabricators in Coatsburg until his passing. When you consider that at eighty, Mike Nichols won his 7th Tony Award for directing . Michael Bennett Stats, News, Bio | ESPN Well, no more Lubitsch, said Wilder. 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. As of Wednesday morning, more than $47,500 has been raised by the campaign. His commercial luck changed with Neil Simon's ''Promises, Promises,'' a musical based on Billy Wilder's film ''The Apartment.'' Michael was a 1965 graduate of Central High School and served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Get Unstuck, Re-centered, Focused and Back on Track. Michael Bennett Obituary (2020) - Baton Rouge, LA - The Advocate Wayne Art Center's Summer Art Camp - Watch Your Child's Art Come Alive & Thrive! Michael Garr, 15, was stabbed and killed Friday night in Drexel Hill. It closed after twelve forgettable performances. He faced bullying wherever he went. He added, He knew he faced serious risk from treating patients who refused to wear masks.. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. [14], He always collaborated with his assistant Bob Avian, who was a lifelong friend. The lights of Broadway theaters were dimmed briefly last night at 8 P.M. in memory of Mr. Bennett. 110 East School St, This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Co-directing Follies put Bennett on equal footing with Harold Prince, at the time, the most respected director in the musical theatre. Privacy Policy and Parenting Adult Coffee on Mental Health. Just before he was to have been graduated from Buffalo's Hutchison Central High School for Boys, he joined a company of ''West Side Story'' directed by Jerome Robbins (who had staged the Broadway production) and spent a year in Europe with the show. I will miss all the fun times at our birthday parties as kids, all the video games we had in common, and more recently, our trips to Lasertron. He will be remembered as a prominent businessman,. So he buckled down and launched something he would eventually call his own (much to his collaborators anger and confusion). Ballroom, Bennetts next musical was in the unenviable position of having to follow A Chorus Line, so it almost had to fail (and it didnt help that it was relatively understated). Funeral arrangement under the care ofRochester Cremation. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. 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. The dances in ''Company,'' ''Follies,'' ''A Chorus Line,'' ''Ballroom'' and ''Dreamgirls'' flowed seamlessly from the action of the plays and the motivations of their characters, and that seamlessness identified them as Mr. Bennett's unique creations. I remember the day I met Michael in gym class in elementary school. Calcutta!, as well as Baayork Lee, who would go on to have a role in A Chorus Line, crafted to her specific talents (and life story), just like McKechnie. Cite This Collection. The most recent obituary and service information is available at the Brewer Funeral Home, Inc. - Lake Luzerne website. [10] Bennett would later become a creative consultant for the 1985 film version of the musical but left due to creative differences. Michael Bennett, 47, of Bethlehem, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011, in St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. ''No one is. Michael Bennett Stats, News and Video - DE | NFL.com APRIL 29 MAX TO LA The Dallas Cowboys long ago identified TCU QB Max Duggan as the right guy to take a late-round flier on, with owner Jerry Jones saying he was the best quarterback at the Senior . In his younger days, Bennett had a relationship with Larry Fuller, a dancer, choreographer and director. Many Broadway houses were dark when it literally lit up West 44th Street (and the rest of the theatre district, too), becoming the Shuberts then-unheard of sole tenant for fifteen years. In late 1985, he began casting the British production of the Tim Rice-Benny Andersson-Bjorn Ulvaeus musical ''Chess.'' You have funeral questions, we have answers. ''Follies'' - a modernist's homage to the Ziegfeld era - was the first of the backstage musicals with which Mr. Bennett would inextricably be identified and which would find its apotheosis in ''A Chorus Line.'' The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. It also changed Bennett immeasurably, and not for the better. ''I hate being typecast, but I realize people are happier when I'm doing backstage musicals, and the truth is, I am, too. In April 1986, Mr. Bennett was elected to the Theater Hall of Fame. He was hurt pretty badly, and during that stay in the hospital he decided he wanted to be a doctor, Ms. Bennett said by phone. Also, I dare you to try watching this clip and NOT watch Donna McKechnie (p.s. The towers moved to create constantly changing perspectives and space, like an automated ballet. A year later, he assisted choreographer Ron Field on the one-week run of Nowhere to Go But Up, followed by dancing in the choruses of two middling Broadway musicals: Heres Love (1963) and Bajour (1964). By Vincent Dowd. It was an emotional tribute to an artist who, through such shows as ''Company,'' ''Follies,'' ''Dreamgirls'' and ''A Chorus Line,'' left an indelible imprint on the comtemporary Broadway musical. IL 62320. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. "The family is devastated and trying to process this senseless act," organizer Michael Peabody said on the page. MICHAEL BENNETT OBITUARY Bennett, Michael Middleton Bennett of Grand Rapids passed away unexpectedly Dec. 4, 2017, at the age of 74. It puts to mind what was said between Billy Wilder and William Wyler upon leaving the funeral of their friend, the esteemed film writer-director Ernst Lubitsch. MICHAEL BENNETT | The News-Gazette In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. He always sought creative control over his projects, but Hollywood producers were unwilling to give him the influence he demanded.[11]. ''I think I am now the king of backstage musicals, and you know what? ''When Broadway history is being made, you can feel it,'' Frank Rich, chief theater critic for The Times, wrote in his opening-night review. Much has been written about A Chorus Line and how it not only changed the American musical, but changed the fortunes of the American Theatre. What he did with a cast of mostly non-dancers was ingenious, and the show moved with a fluidity that Bennett steadily improved upon with Follies, A Chorus Line and finally Dreamgirls, where his integration of lighting, scenery and actors flowed seamlessly. Michael believed in. In 1966, the first Broadway musical to feature the credit Choreography by Michael Bennett was A Joyful Noise, a folksy musical that starred John Raitt. Bijan Wants To Join Eagles Jalen Hurts; Cowboys Worried? Bennett's next musical was a project about late-life romance called Ballroom. Late in 1977, using the profits from ''A Chorus Line,'' Mr. Bennett bought an eight-story building at 890 Broadway, between 19th and 20th Streets. His father, Bob, was a farmer; his mother, Meredith (Arnold) Bennett, most recently helped manage her sons clinic. in an emotional tribute to Mr. Bennett. Bennett choreographed Promises, Promises, Follies and Company. '', Mr. Bennett's talent emerged in the 1970's, first in his collaborations with Hal Prince and then on his own as director, choreographer and producer. From jail, the prisoner vows to rain epic violence down upon New York City-and to get revenge on Michael Bennett.Judges murdered To escape the chaos, Bennett Tick Tock He was always there for me. It is sad to see him go, but I look forward to seeing him again one day. But the idea did not advance. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. The number underscored the clarity with which the audience had come to know the chorus line's individual members - an achievement that tellingly distinguished Mr. Bennett from colleagues such as Bob Fosse and Mr. In 1986 both Pruit and friend Bob Herr lived with Bennett for the last eight months of his life in Tucson, Arizona, where he received care at the University of Arizona Medical Center. The show opened Dec. 1, 1968, and ran through June 26, 1971; it was Mr. Bennett's first hit and third Tony nomination. 1970 brought Company, where Bennett was able to work with collaborators who, like him, were at the top of their game: Stephen Sondheim, George Furth, Harold Prince and Boris Aronson. I remember the day we became friends in gym class at Winslow. Michael Bennett, Small-Town Doctor Who Pushed for Masks, Dies at 52, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/26/obituaries/michael-bennett-dead-covid.html. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Bennett was influenced by the work of Jerome Robbins. [13], In 1978, he purchased 890 Broadway and converted it for use as a rehearsal studios complex for dance and theatre. He was 52. UPPER DARBY, PA Police in Upper Darby have found a person of interest in connection with the recent stabbing death of a teenager. Mr. Bennett, whose original name was Michael Bennett DiFiglia, was born on April 8, 1943, in Buffalo, the son of a machinist and a secretary. He had given me so many memorable days and nights in the theatre that I felt like I had lost someone close to me. He quit school at sixteen when he was cast as Baby John in a tour of West Side Story across the U.S. and Europe. [31], Bennett's last lover was Gene Pruit. How Now Dow Jones and Henry, Sweet, Henry came next, and Bennetts dances scored successfully, even if the shows didnt. On Dec. 4, 1976, Mr. Bennett married Miss McKechnie, who had also won a Tony Award for her performance as Cassie in ''A Chorus Line.'' ''I never got the pleasure working on a show that I had in 'Chorus Line,' '' he told The Times. But that success was relatively short-lived, when an original musical titled Scandal, one that Bennett had workshopped for over a year beginning in 1984, had its plug pulled by Bennett, prior to an announced Broadway opening, with little to no explanation. Terms of Service apply. "British Newspaper Archives, Obituaries." Database with images. I will always remember all the birthday parties as kids, driving the go-karts and playing games at the arcade. The number is all the evidence necessary that Michael Bennett was not your average everyday choreographer. He was a vigorous proponent of wearing masks and of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, offered free Covid-19 testing to his patients with funding help from the federal C.A.R.E.S. Michael Bennett Obituary (2017) - Grand Rapids Press [12] 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. [33][34] Bennett's memorial service took place at the Shubert Theatre in New York City (the home at that time of A Chorus Line) on September 29, 1987.[35]. 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.
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