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

Bennett, Michael, 1943-1987

Language

English

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)

Catalog Record

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

Persistent URL

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

Additional Description

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