Now that Cats, the longest-running show in Broadway history, has posted a closing notice, the Street is apparently thinking fondly again of the previous champ, A Chorus Line, and one of its guiding spirits, choreographer Michael Bennett, who died of AIDS in 1987. Theatrical lawyer, TDF chairman and friend of the late choreographer John Breglio is in discussions with the AIDS charities AmFAR and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to produce and coordinate a benefit for several nights at a Broadway theatre. The show will be a celebration of Bennett's work.

Though the New York Post reported (June 21) that the benefit is targeting May 2001, Breglio told Playbill On-Line (June 21) it was premature to mention dates, and no theatre has been selected.

Avian is currently in London working on The Witches of Eastwick, but a spokesperson at Keller and Vandernoth confirmed that he's also involved in a separate but related, major revival of A Chorus Line, likely to follow on the heels of the benefit. Breglio, however, could not confirm any plans to revive A Chorus Line

The Post reported that act one of the AmFAR benefit will offer selections from shows in which Bennett appeared as a dancer, such as Subway's Are for Sleeping, Here's Love and Bajour, and those which he choreographed or directed, such as Promises, Promises; Company, Coco, Seesaw, Follies, Dreamgirls and Ballroom. Act two will devote itself entirely to A Chorus Line, the landmark, Marvin Hamlisch scored tuner about chorus dancers and singers auditioning for a big Broadway show -- and revealing their talents and souls in the process.

Producer Breglio told Playbill On-Line he and the charities just started discussions six weeks ago and were still "sorting out what the content of the evening will be. Nothing is finalized." -- By David Lefkowitz