Nicholas Dante

Nicholas Dante
Born	Conrado Morales November 22, 1941(1941 -11-22) Manhattan, New York City New York, United States
Died	May 21, 1991(1991-05-21) (aged 49) Manhattan, New York City New York, United States
Nationality	Puerto Rican-American
Related to	Mary Morales (mother)
Information
Magnum opus	A Chorus Line
Awards	Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1976) Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (1976) Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (1976)

Nicholas Dante (November 22, 1941^[1] - May 21, 1991^[2]) was an American dancer and writer, best known for the musical A Chorus Line.

Biography

Born Conrado Morales in New York City to Puerto Rican parents^[3], Dante's early career was spent dancing in the chorus of Broadway musicals such as Applause and Ambassador. In 1974, he was approached by friend Michael Bennett who invited him to the sessions which led to the basis of material for the book of a musical about Broadway "gypsies," the dancers who serve as a backdrop for the leading performers. Eventually, collaborating with James Kirkwood, Jr., the result was A Chorus Line, which earned him the 1976 Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Book of a Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In particular, the story of Paul, the homosexual Puerto Rican dancer whose early career consisted of working in a drag show, was based primarily on Dante. The actor who originated the role on the famous monologue, Sammy Williams, won a Best Featured Actor in a Musical award in 1976 for the role. Dante himself went on to play the role in later mountings of the show.

He also authored a screenplay, Fake Lady, and a stage musical based on the life of entertainer Al Jolson entitled Jolson Tonite, but never again achieved the success he did with A Chorus Line.

Dante died on May 21, 1991 from AIDS-related complications in New York City.^[2]

References

1. ^ Social Security Death Index Search
2. ^ ^{a b} Nicholas Dante, 49; Dancer and a Writer Of 'A Chorus Line from New York Times, 22 May 1991
3. ^ Crohn Schmitt, Natalie (1990). "Complicates". Northwestern University Press. ISBN 0810108364. http://books.google.com/books?id=GRL-8cD6n5oC&pg=PA85&dq=nicholas+dante+puerto&ei=Y8tBSq-zF6GeygTqyJhO. 

Persondata
Name	Dante, Nicholas
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 22, 1941
Place of birth	Manhattan, New York City New York, United States
Date of death	May 21, 1991
Place of death	Manhattan, New York City New York, United States