More than 60 years ago, Graciela Daniele arrived in New York City determined to learn more about musical theater. She never imagined that she would become one of Broadway's greatest icons. The Argentine dancer, choreographer, and theater director has built a remarkable career. Although she has often acknowledged her good fortune, her hard work, discipline, and talent have played a key part in her success.
Graciela was born into a hard-working family and began studying dance at the age of seven at the Teatro Colón in her hometown of Buenos Aires. Raised by her mother, grandmother, and aunt after her father left and her grandfather passed away, Graciela joined the ballet of the Teatro Argentino de La Plata at 16. Her talent stood out, leading her to join the ballet company in Rio de Janeiro and to travel beyond the Americas.
Paris was one of the most important places for the Argentine artist, not only because it was the place where she honed her skills alongside the Russian masters, but because it was the place where she fell in love with musical theater, a development that changed her life forever. After attending a performance of "West Side Story" in Paris, she decided to move to New York City, the mecca of musical theater.
“I don’t know anyone who’s had the luck I’ve had on Broadway... I always recommend people when I see talent and the ability to create. That’s what they did for me, they helped me build a career. I’m very grateful.”
Graciela arrived in Manhattan in 1963, when she was 23 years old. She barely had enough money to study modern dance and jazz, as she told La Nacion in 2020. However, Matt Maddox, one of her teachers, recognized her talent and invited her to work on Broadway in the musical "What Makes Sammy Run?" Although her English was limited at the time, that didn’t stop her from joining the cast.
Slowly, Graciela immersed herself in the fascinating world of musical theater, beginning to work as a choreographer on Michael Bennett’s recommendation, collaborating with him on several productions. Throughout her long Broadway career, Graciela danced in shows such as "Coco" and the original productions of "Follies" and "Chicago." She later began focusing on choreography and directing full-time, working on shows like "Annie Get Your Gun," "Ragtime," and "Once on This Island."
“Everything is about telling the story, even when you’re dancing. It doesn’t matter how many pirouettes you do—it’s what you’re doing, what story you’re telling with your body. There’s a humanity in the physical work that tells the story.”
Among her more recent Broadway credits is the choreography for "The Visit" in 2015. She has also choreographed three Woody Allen films: "Mighty Aphrodite," "Everyone Says I Love You," and "Bullets Over Broadway."
Her work has earned her ten Tony Award nominations and six Drama Desk nominations. In September 2021, she was honored with the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, a well-deserved tribute to her 50-year spanning career. “Her impact on the Broadway community and our culture at large has been immeasurable,” said Heather Hitchens, president of the American Theatre Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League.
That same year, Graciela received another special tribute: a musical based on her life, created by her friend Michael John LaChiusa, titled "The Gardens of Anuncia." The show chronicles her life—from her childhood in Juan Perón’s Argentina to her journey to New York, where she became the acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and director who's renowned throughout the musical theater world.