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MICHAEL BELLO is a Cuban-American director with Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional experience dedicated to creating thrilling and dynamic musicals within joyful and positive processes. Most recently, he directed Paper Mill Playhouse’s brand new production of Jersey Boys, the first to ever originate in New Jersey, which The NJ Star-Ledger declared “a certified smash” and shattered all box office expectations. Additionally, he directed Theatre Aspen’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical which was declared as a “triumph” and “must-see” by The Aspen Times.
Michael's work on new musicals has led him to direct world premieres around the country including We Are The Tigers Off-Broadway at Theatre 80 St Marks (OCR available on Broadway Records) and Letters to the President, a historical song-cycle he conceived with Jessica Kahkoska, which was performed in The Great Hall at Cooper Union and Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals. His work has been recognized by Los Angeles’ Ovation Awards, Boston’s IRNE Awards, the New York Innovative Theater Awards and others.
As an Associate Director, Michael has worked alongside Tony Award winner Des McAnuff on several productions including the recent Broadway revival of The Who’s Tommy, nominated for Best Revival of a Musical at 2024 Tony Awards, and SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne, at the La Jolla Playhouse, and on its first national tour. Additionally, Michael directed and maintained The Donna Summer Musical aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. Also for McAnuff, he was the resident Associate Director for Jersey Boys and was responsible for the remounting, setting and supervising of the New York production at New World Stages and both the US and UK tours, as well as an upcoming live capture starring Nick Jonas.
Michael is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, a past participant in the SDCF Observership Program, an alumni of Interlochen Center for the Arts, and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College.