MICHAEL BENNETT musical theater director, choreographer and dancer, born (d: 1987). Born in Buffalo, New York, Bennett, (ne DiFiglia) was most famously the author, or more accurately, the originator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Chorus Line, Bennett won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven. Among his shows were Dreamgirls (also director), Promises, Promises, Follies, and Company.