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.
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
Overview
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
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
- Audiotapes
- Audiovisual materials
- Bennett, Michael, 1943-1987
- Choreographers -- New York (State) -- New York
- Choreographers -- New York (State) -- New York
- Choreography -- New York (State) -- New York
- Gay men and musicals
- LGBTQ resource
- Musical theater -- Production and direction
- Musical theater producers and directors
- Musical theater producers and directors -- New York (State) -- New York
- Musicals
- Photographic prints
- Scripts (documents)
- Videotapes
- 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
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.