Michael John LaChiusa, born July 24, 1962 in Chautauqua, New York, is an American composer known for his work in musical theatre and opera. He taught himself piano at age seven and was influenced by composers like John Corigliano and Philip Glass, as well as George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim. LaChiusa moved to New York City in 1980, working as a music director while seeking songwriting opportunities. His breakthrough came with First Lady Suite at The Public Theater in 1993, followed by Hello Again, which premiered Off-Broadway in 1994 and was nominated for ten Drama Desk Awards. Notable works include Marie Christine and The Wild Party, both of which premiered during the 1999-2000 season and earned Tony Award nominations. Other significant productions include See What I Wanna See (2005) and Queen of the Mist (2011).
