Greif attended Northwestern University and graduated from the University of California, San Diego graduate directing program. He was the Artistic Director of the La Jolla Playhouse, LaJolla, California from 1994 to 1999.
He was an Artistic Associate at the New York Theatre Workshop where he directed, among others, Bright Lights, Big City (1998–99) and the original production of Rent for which he received the Obie Award for direction of a musical and which he later directed on Broadway.
Greif has directed several original Broadway musicals and been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical four times. In addition to Rent, his Broadway credits include If/Then (also at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.), Next to Normal (also at Second Stage Theatre and Arena Stage), Grey Gardens (also at Playwrights Horizons), Dear Evan Hansen (also at Arena Stage and Second Stage), and War Paint (also at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago).
In August 2023, it was announced that his Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of The Notebook would transfer to Broadway in March 2024 and in September 2023, it was announced that he would transfer his Off-Broadway production of Days of Wine and Roses to Broadway in January 2024.
Among his many directing credits Off-Broadway are Alicia Keys' autobiographical musical Hell's Kitchen, Katori Hall's Our Lady of Kibeho, John Guare's Landscape of the Body and A Few Stout Individuals at Signature Theatre, Beauty of the Father for the Manhattan Theatre Club, the 2009 Playwrights Horizons production of Mrs. Sharp (with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and starring Jane Krakowski), and Romeo and Juliet, The Winter's Tale, and The Tempest at the New York Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte Theater (2007, 2010, 2015).
From: Photos: Alicia Keys & HELLS KITCHEN Company Get Ready for Broadway
From: Photos: Alicia Keys & HELLS KITCHEN Company Get Ready for Broadway
From: Photos: Alicia Keys & HELLS KITCHEN Company Get Ready for Broadway
Michael Greif, The Low Road
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Michael GreifOur Lady of Kibeho
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Michael Greif, Grey Gardens
Michael Greif , Grey Gardens
Michael Greif, Dogeaters
Michael Greif, Dogeaters
Michael Greif, Dogeaters
Michael Greif, Rent
Michael Greif , Rent
Listen to 'Kaleidoscope' from Hell's Kitchen!
Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 18, 2024.
Hell's Kitchen will be performing on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon this week. Alicia Keys and Maleah Joi Moon are set to appear on the Friday, March 22 episode for a special performance from the highly-anticipated musical. The performance will mark the musical's broadcast television debut.
The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Following the show's opening, the cast celebrated the big night at an after party at Tavern on the Green. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration, and you can check out photos here!
The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Opening night was held on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos of the VIPs arriving at the big night here!
The Notebook opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities. Check out red-carpet photos of the cast and creative team here!
In this video, watch as we take you inside the big night with the full cast and creative team of The Notebook on Broadway!
It was a big night last night at the Schoenfeld Theatre, where The Notebook officially celebrated its opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities and you can check out photos from the curtain call here.
A new block of tickets has been released for the Broadway musical The Notebook. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets!
Read reviews for the Broadway premiere of the epic love story, The Notebook, opening on Broadway tonight!
The Public’s Annual Gala will take place on Wednesday, May 8 with a special performance of HELL’S KITCHEN on Broadway. Learn more about the gala!
Today, Theatre Under The Stars has revealed the shows that make up the musical theatre company’s 2024/25 Season. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about The Notebook on Broadway.
Atlantic Records will release The Notebook (Original Broadway Cast Recording). Listen to 'Leave The Light On' now!
Get a first look at footage of The Notebook on Broadway! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Four new original song demos have been released and are now available via from the original musical Beautiful Little Fool. Listen here!
Go inside opening night of Audible Theater’s world premiere musical Dead Outlaw! In attendance for the evening's festivities were Micaela Diamond, Lilli Cooper, Michael Greif, Danny Burstein, and more! Check out the photos from the event!
Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 11, 2024.
Theatre Communications Group has revealed the performers for the 2024 TCG Gala: Our Stories, which will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024, at The Edison Ballroom. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.
This time, the reader question was: Is Michael Greif setting a record by directing three shows this season?
Michael Greif has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Director at The Lortels for "The Low Road," Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," and the Tony Awards for the same show. He was also nominated for Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Grey Gardens." Additionally, he received nominations for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Next to Normal" and "Grey Gardens." Other nominations include Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dogeaters," Direction at the Obie Awards for the same show, and Outstanding Director at The Lortels for "Dogeaters." Greif also received Special Citations at the Obie Awards for "Rent" and won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for the same show.
Michael Greif has won several awards for his work in the theater industry. These include Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dogeaters," Direction at the Obie Awards for "Dogeaters," and Special Citations at the Obie Awards for "Rent."
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