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Natalie Guevara

@natisagee

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Mirror Man: A Portrait of Michael Bennett @mirrorman.studio

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i am 40 🪐 in the words of ELO in that masterpiece “XANADU”… “I’M ALIVE!” ✨ i’m surrounded by incredible family, friends and loved ones near me, all over the world, and on the other side. i have my brain, my heart, my body (albeit gangly and uncoordinated while skating 🛼😆), my talents and my passions. i cannot ask for anything more… except MORE good times 🍒 i take nothing for granted. thank you so much for reaching out to me with birthday wishes and surprises. i am overwhelmed. i’m also inspired by the amazing lives of artists we just lost (among them DOLLY PARTON — who turned 40 during my birth year, 1986 — and TIM CURRY) to continue being myself, relentlessly. wishing the same for you and all the goodness in the universe to everyone who has touched my life in some way 🩵❤️

P.S. thank you for being a joyous part of my celebration this past weekend @art.cake.miami 🎂 @miamirollerrink 🌈 and @amelias1931 😋 what a BLAST taken in Miami, Florida by @natisagee

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a month ago

Michael Bennett gave us A Chorus Line. He gave us Dreamgirls. He choreographed Company and choreographed and co-directed Follies. He was one of the most visionary director-choreographers Broadway has ever seen.

While Sondheim gets documentaries and Larson gets a Netflix film, Bennett has faded from the cultural conversation a bit.

Natalie Guevara noticed. And she wasn't even a theater person when she did.
It was Bennett's story that pulled her in and it pulled her in so hard she created @mirrorman.studio an entire project dedicated to documenting his life, his work, and his legacy.

This week on Scene to Song, Shoshana sits down with Natalie to trace Bennett's journey from dancer to one of Broadway's most powerful creative forces.

New episode out now. Link in bio. 🎭 by @natisagee

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3 months ago

I find the process of making art quite mysterious, even miraculous. And I find the alchemy of art connecting with an audience doubly so. Who really knows why certain artists move us so profoundly?

If you’ve spoken with me at any point in the past seven years, you’ll know how captivated I’ve been by one artist in particular: Michael Bennett.

Michael was a Tony- and Pulitzer-winning director-choreographer. A hard-hoofin’ chorus boy from Buffalo who became one of Broadway’s brightest lights. You might know him best for “A Chorus Line” (1975) and “Dreamgirls” (1981). He was a tenacious whiz kid and a true original who changed Broadway, dance, and musical theatre forever. And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg of what fascinates me about him.

Today—April 8—would have been Michael’s 83rd birthday. In honor of that, meet Mirror Man.

Mirror Man is a tribute to Michael, his lifelong creative partner and best friend Bob Avian, and the extraordinary collaborators who helped shape one of culture’s most singular legacies. Told in their own words, unfolding for weeks to come, and made for those who love Michael, Bob, and members of their creative circle… as well as anyone who doesn’t know their stories yet.

The main project is live at www.mirrorman.studio and will roll out in installments. And there will be even MORE Mirror Man—deeper dives, fresh spotlights on Michael’s collaborators, and new interviews with contemporary theatre artists inspired by his work—on Substack. You can subscribe for free to both the site and the Substack at the links in bio.

Thank you to everyone who offered their reflection on Michael, a contribution to this project, or a word of encouragement. You’re why this exists.

To Michael Bennett, to Bob Avian, and to all of you.

This really is what I did for love.

— Natalie, @natisagee

Special thanks to @douglasrcjames and @ryanwall.co at @minute.tech who understood my vision for this project and built and designed it with so much care and creativity (not to mention patience). Dream partners!

🪞✨ by @natisagee

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6 months ago

zing zing zing went my heartstrings 🎀 by @natisagee

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23 days ago

channeling my inner fred durst at @rageroomorlando 🔨 this is 4️⃣0️⃣ 😌 taken in Rage Room Orlando by @natisagee

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a month ago

crème de la crème 🍼 taken in Key Biscayne, Florida by @natisagee

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2 months ago

celebrating my mom’s birthday on the @st_johns_rivership_co ⚓️🐊🚢 ahoy! taken in Sanford, Florida by @natisagee

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3 months ago

We all know about Fosse, Sondheim, and Larson. But do you know about this Broadway genius?

Michael Bennett created A Chorus Line and was instrumental to Dreamgirls, yet so many of us know very little about him.

Luckily, Natalie of @mirrorman.studio came on Scene to Song to share her expertise on Bennett and his work. We discuss his biggest hits, lesser known work, and more.

You won’t want to miss this episode! Out now at link in bio. by @natisagee

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3 months ago

When the tears start flowing and you think its maybe onions... or maybe its just another Sondheim moment!
Everyone has that moment in a muscial they weren’t expecting to go THERE.

@mirrorman.studio shares which Sondheim moment does it for her (among many!).

👋 If you’re seeing this video, you are probably a musical and broadway nerd. That is exactly what Scene to Song podcast is for! We discuss a Broadway writer, musical, topic every month with expert guests. Listen at the link in bio.

What is the musical and moment for you? ⬇️ by @natisagee

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3 months ago

Is its a guilty pleasure?

Or ar musical theater lovers just a bit too snobbish about their musicals?

Everyone has a musical they love that surprises musical fans, for Natalie, creator of @mirrorman.studio its Rocky!

What is your guilty pleasure musical? ⬇️ 🎵 by @natisagee

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3 months ago

From dancer to director, Michael Bennett reinvented what a Broadway musical could be. But for some reason, even Broadway nerds don't know much about him!

Natalie Guevara @natisagee creator of Mirror Man: A Portrait of Michael Bennett is on a mission to change that.

Natalie got interested in Bennett because even though Bennett gave us A Chorus Line and Dreamgirls, his name barely comes up in the same breath as Sondheim or Jonathan Larson. Natalie noticed that gap and is now filling it with her own work @mirrorman.studio

New episode out now at the link in bio and wherever you get your podcasts. by @natisagee

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3 months ago

from the 2024 archives… she comes alive around an opera glove taken in Brooklyn, New York by @natisagee

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5 months ago