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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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Most recently, Michael directed Paper Mill Playhouse’s brand-new production of Jersey Boys, the first production of the musical 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 directing Jagged Little Pill at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Come From Away at STAGES St. Louis.

 

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. His work has been recognized by the

Henry Awards, Ovation Awards, IRNE Awards, New York Innovative Theater Awards, and others.

 

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. 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.