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MICHAEL BELLO is a Cuban-American director whose work spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, and the country’s leading regional theaters. Dedicated to creating thrilling and dynamic productions through joyful and Collaborative processes, his work encompasses both new musicals and reimagined classics.

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Recently, Michael directed Paper Mill Playhouse’s brand-new production of Jersey Boys, the first to originate in New Jersey, which The NJ Star-Ledger called “a certified smash” and shattered box-office expectations. At Theatre Aspen, he directed acclaimed productions of Mamma Mia! and Legally Blonde: The Musical, both of which became the highest-grossing productions in the theater’s history. The Aspen Times called them “a must-see triumph” and “a crowd-pleasing delight,” respectively. In 2026, he’s directed Jagged Little Pill at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, which was nominated for multiple Henry Awards, and Come From Away at STAGES St. Louis, which became the highest-grossing show in the theater's history and was called "truly remarkable" by Talkin' Broadway.

 

Michael is particularly passionate about developing new musicals and has directed world premieres across the country, including Preston Max Allen’s We Are The Tigers Off-Broadway at Theatre 80 St. Marks (cast recording available on Broadway Records), Glory Ride: A New Musical

at Delaware Theatre Company, and Letters to the President, a historical song-cycle he co-conceived with Jessica Kahkoska, presented at The Great Hall at Cooper Union and Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals.

 

As an Associate Director, Michael has worked extensively with Tony Award winner Des McAnuff on many productions including

the Broadway revival of The Who’s Tommy, which received a 2024 Tony Award nomination for Best Revival of a Musical, and

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, at La Jolla Playhouse, and on its first

national tour. He also replicated and maintained Summer aboard Norwegian Cruise Line. Also for McAnuff, Michael

served as Resident Associate Director for Jersey Boys, overseeing the remounting, setting, and supervision of the

Off-Broadway production at New World Stages and both the U.S. and U.K. tours. 

 

His work has been recognized by the Henry Awards, Ovation Awards, IRNE Awards, New York Innovative 

Theater Awards, and others. Michael is a member of Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors Lab and a

past participant in the SDCF Observership Program. An alumnus of Interlochen Center for the

Arts, he holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College.