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Michael Bennett papers

 Collection
Call Number: YCAL MSS 538

Scope and Contents

The papers document the musical theatre career of Michael Bennett, spanning the dates 1950 to 1989 (with the bulk of the material spanning 1973 to 1986), and consisting of production files, correspondence, business papers, scripts, printed material, personal papers, audiovisual material, objects and photographs. The papers document the process of writing, choreographing, directing, and marketing Broadway musical productions such as Dreamgirls and A Chorus Line. The papers also document Bennett's personal life in the 1970s and 1980s.

Dates

  • 1950 - 1989
  • Majority of material found within 1973 - 1986

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Boxes 52-55, 68-69 (audio and video tapes): Restricted Fragile Material. Access to original audio and video tapes is restricted. Reference copies may be requested. Contact Access Services for further information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Michael Bennett Papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Robert Avian, 2003.

Arrangement

Organized into three series: I. Production Files, Professional Papers, and Personal Papers, 1950-1987. II. Awards and Objects, 1970-1989. III. Audiovisual Material, 1966-circa 1986.

Extent

58.67 Linear Feet (69 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.bennettm

Abstract

The papers document the musical theater career of Michael Bennett, spanning the dates 1950 to 1989 (with the bulk of the material spanning 1973 to 1986), and consisting of production files, correspondence, business papers, scripts, printed material, personal papers, audiovisual material, objects and photographs. The papers document the process of writing, choreographing, directing, and marketing Broadway musical productions such as Dreamgirls and A Chorus Line. The papers also document Bennett's personal life in the 1970s and 1980s.

Michael Bennett, 1943-1987

American musical theater director and choreographer Michael Bennett was born Michael DiFiglia in Buffalo, New York in 1943. Bennett began his Broadway career as a dancer and later found success as a choreographer and director. Bennett won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows, and was nominated for eleven more. Bennett is best known for his work on Promises, Promises, Dreamgirls, A Chorus Line, Ballroom, Company and Follies. Bennett died of AIDS-related lymphoma in 1987.

Processing Information

Collection are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, competing priorities, and whether or not further accruals are expected. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections, and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.

The collection received preliminary processing at the time of acquisition. Further organization, rehousing, and description were carried out in 2011.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Former call number: Uncat MSS 610

Title
Guide to the Michael Bennett Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
by Beinecke staff
Date
2007-05-21
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository

Contact:
P. O. Box 208330
New Haven CT 06520-8330 US
(203) 432-2977

Location

121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours

Access Information

The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.