Bob Avian, Kelly Bishop, Baayork Lee, et al. Set for Michael Bennett: A Joyful Noise Celebration

Bob Avian, Kelly Bishop, Baayork Lee, Margo Sappington, Larry Fuller, Mary Jane Houdina, Carolyn Kirsch, Nancy Dalton, Steve Boockvor, Gene Castle, Karin Baker, Rita O’Connor, and Joy Serio Dunbar are set to take part in Michael Bennett: A Joyful Noise, a panel discussion and tribute hosted by Dancers Over 40, to be offered on May 17 at 8pm at St. Luke’s Theatre. Harvey Evans will moderate.

The event will focus on the career of Michael Bennett, from his early days in Buffalo, to the first Broadway show that he choreographed – A Joyful Noise – on to Henry, Sweet Henry; Company; Promises, Promises; Coco; Seesaw, Follies, Dreamgirls, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon A Chorus Line.

In addition to the conversation about Bennett’s work, Joyful Noise film feature film clips, which will include “Turkey Lurkey” from Promises, Promises, footage of the 1983 celebration of A Chorus Line, which brought companies of the show together from around the world together for one performance), “Poor Little Person” from Henry, Sweet Henry, “Always Mademoiselle” from Coco, and rehearsal footage from the original Follies.

Michael Bennett: A Joyful Noise continues the series produced by Dancers Over 40, which has included tributes to Bob Fosse, Jack Cole, Michael Kidd, Gower Champion, and Peter Gennaro. The evening will be taped for inclusion in the Jerome Robbins Dance Collection at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts.

For further information, visit: www.dancersover40.org.