Michael Mayer
Video: Hannah Cruz & Nicholas Cristopher in 'The Deal (Part 1)' from CHESS on Broadway (May 10, 2026)
Review: TRAVIATA May Not Be in Opera’s ABCs But Jaho Gives Lesson in Making It Her Own (May 8, 2026)
Claybourne Elder to Join the Cast of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (May 8, 2026)
BIO
Recent work includes: Chess (Kennedy Center), WarholCapote (ART), Michael Moore's The Terms of My Surrender (Belasco), and the world premiere of Nico Muhly's opera Marnie at London's ENO. Broadway Credits include: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony Award, best musical revival, also National Tour), Spring Awakening (Tony Award/Best Musical and Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Director; also London, National Tour, Vienna, Tokyo, and Seoul productions); American Idiot (also co-author, Drama Desk Award for Best Director; also US, UK and Asia tours); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Award/Best Musical also London and National Tour), Side Man (Tony Award/Best Play also London and Kennedy Center Productions), A View from the Bridge (Tony Award/Best Revival), Everyday Rapture, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Triumph of Love. Off-Broadway credits include: Love, Love, Love (Roundabout), Brooklynite (Also co-author, Vineyard), Whorl Inside A Loop (with Dick Scanlan, Second Stage), 10 Million Miles (Atlantic). National Tour: Angels in America. London: a record-breaking West End run of Funny Girl and UK tour. Tokyo: As You Like It (Toho Theatre). Film: The Seagull, A Home at the End of the World, and Flicka. Television: Smash (Director/Producer, Season One) and two seasons of Alpha House for Amazon. Opera: a celebrated production of Rigoletto (Met). He serves on the Board of New York Stage and Film. @MichaelMayerDIR. This one is for Beatrice Terry.
Photos
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Productions
Writing
Awards and Nominations
Michael Mayer, Funny Girl
winner
Michael Mayer, Little Shop of Horrors
Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
winner
Michael Mayer, American Idiot
winner
Michael Mayer, American Idiot
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Mayer
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
Michael Mayer, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Michael Mayer, Thoroughly Modern Millie
winner
Michael Mayer, Uncle Vanya
winner
Michael Mayer, A View from the Bridge
Michael Mayer, You're a Good Man
Michael Mayer, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
winner
Michael Mayer, A View from the Bridge / Side Man
Michael Mayer, A View From the Bridge
winner
Michael Mayer, A View from the Bridge
Michael Mayer, America Dreaming
Videos
Video: Aaron Tveit Opens Up About Wardrobe Mishap During CHESS Performance
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-21 13:35:49
Video: CHESS Stars Reflect on New Cast Recording on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-21 11:57:52
Exclusive: Watch the Cast of CHESS Perform Golden Bangkok on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2026-04-14 12:45:52
Video: Bryce Pinkham and the Cast of CHESS Perform 'The Arbiter' on KELLY CLARKSON
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-27 10:09:30
Video: 'Addio, del passato' from Michael Mayer-Directed LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-25 13:19:26
Video: First Look at Michael Mayer-Directed LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-24 12:19:07
Video: Watch Lea Michele and the Cast of CHESS Perform 'Nobody's Side' on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-18 10:07:26
Video: Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele & Nicholas Christopher Perform From CHESS on TODAY
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-15 17:48:37
Notes on a Script: Danny Strong on Making the Book to CHESS Work
by Joey Mervis - 2025-11-20 12:40:04
Video: Aaron Tveit & CHESS Cast Launch the 'One Night In Bangkok Challenge'
by Michael Major - 2025-11-14 10:18:09
Video: Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele & Nicholas Christopher Talk CHESS, Share Vocal Warmups on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-11 10:41:15
Video: Watch Madeline Brewer & Major Attaway Sing 'Sominex' in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Michael Major - 2025-10-27 12:26:44
Exclusive: Go Inside the First Preview of CHESS With New Footage
by Michael Major - 2025-10-17 10:00:20
Video: Liz Gillies Sings 'Somewhere That's Green' in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Michael Major - 2025-06-17 11:16:42
Video: Milo Manheim and Liz Gillies Talk LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Favorite Musicals, & More in Puppy Interview
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-24 14:58:28
News
by Joshua Wright - May 10, 2026
Watch Tony Award nominees Hannah Cruz and Nicholas Cristopher perform an excerpt of The Deal (Part 1) from the Broadway revival of Chess.
by Richard Sasanow - May 8, 2026
Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho wasn’t the first Violetta of this season’s LA TRAVIATA by Verdi at the Met. That means less rehearsal time and preparation in general—but you could have fooled me and the rest of the audience at Wednesday’s performance. She was in tiptop shape, after a bit of warming up, as if she’d been working in this production every day of her life. She doesn’t make to New York very often, but it’s certainly a welcome visit.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2026
Grammy and Drama Desk nominee Claybourne Elder will join the company of Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway. Elder will appear in the role of Dr. Orin Scrivello D.D.S.
by Michael Major - May 6, 2026
Audiences at Chess celebrated the production's five Tony Award nominations at Tuesday night's performance. Watch videos of the audience celebrating its Tony-nominated actors, Nicholas Christopher, Bryce Pinkham, and Hannah Cruz.
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
This year's nominees are checking in with BroadwayWorld to tell us all about how they got the news. Check back for live updates!
by Stephi Wild - May 5, 2026
American Theater Group will present Katerina McCrimmon's solo concert, Naked, which has played to sold-out audiences across the country, including at Joe's Pub and Lincoln Center.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The Drama League has revealed the twenty-five stage directors receiving the 2026 fellowships, assistantships, residencies, and exchange opportunities collectively known as The Directors Project.
by Luka Vonier - May 1, 2026
Tony winner Aaron Tveit returns to the stage this season in his seventh Broadway role- 'Freddie Trumper' in Michale Mayor's acclaimed revival of Chess. It's been almost four decades since the cult-favorite musical made its debut, and Tveit's electrifying performance is one of the reasons fans have been flocking to the Imperial Theatre. Watch in this video as he chats more about the bond he has formed with his fierce costars, and talks more about what he loves about 'Freddie.'
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
Broadway's newest heartthrob Nicholas Christopher is bringing the heat and winning hearts in the smash-hit revival of Chess. In newly released video from inside the Imperial Theatre, Nicholas proves his chops in the live setting, flawlessly executing the astonishing feat backed by the show's company.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 21, 2026
Aaron Tveit may be a Tony Award-winning performer, but he still faces challenges while treading the boards. Watch his visit to The Kelly Clarkson Show, where the Chess star shares a story about a wardrobe malfunction that happened during a performance of the revival.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 21, 2026
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher visited Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday to discuss starring in the Broadway revival of Chess. Watch their appearance now!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
The Drama League has announced the 2026 Drama League Awards Nominees, which include Chess, Heathers, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and more. Check out the full list here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2026
American History Unbound's “We Chose to Go to the Moon,” a multimedia production that brings the story of America’s race to the moon to life, will be performed at New World Center in Miami.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2026
Nick Fradiani, who stars as Neil Diamond in A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, will perform a bonus post-show concert of Diamond songs at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, free with a ticket to the performance.
by Michael Major - Apr 14, 2026
Enjoy 'one night in Bangkok' and watch the cast of Chess on Broadway performing 'Golden Bangkok.' Watch the video, featuring Casey Garvin, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Samantha Pollino, Katie Webber, and more.
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 11, 2026
Two decades after Spring Awakening first premiered on Broadway, BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this era-defining musical, including Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff, and more has been up to.
by Michael Major - Apr 10, 2026
Get a first listen to the CHESS (2025 Broadway Cast Recording), now available on digital and streaming formats. The album features Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, Nicholas Christopher, Hannah Cruz, Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Sean Allan Krill, and more.
by Michael Major - Apr 7, 2026
Get a first listen to Aaron Tveit singing 'Pity the Child' from the upcoming Chess cast recording. The new track follows Lea Michele's 'Nobody's Side,' which was released last month. Nicholas Christopher's 'Anthem' was made available last week.
by Michael Major - Apr 6, 2026
Aaron Tveit's 'Pity the Child' from the Chess cast recording will be released tonight at midnight. The new single comes ahead of the full cast recording's release this Firday, April 10. The album will be released on CD and vinyl later this year.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2026
The 2025 Broadway Cast Recording of CHESS will be released in digital and streaming formats on Friday, April 10. Learn more about how to pre-save or or pre-order the album here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Michael Mayer has written 2 shows including The Flamingo Kid (Bookwriter), American Idiot (Bookwriter).
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Funny Girl, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Little Shop of Horrors, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for American Idiot, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for American Idiot, Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Spring Awakening, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Spring Awakening, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A View from the Bridge, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for You're a Good Man, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Best Director - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A View from the Bridge / Side Man, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for A View From the Bridge, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A View from the Bridge and Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for America Dreaming.
Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Little Shop of Horrors; Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for American Idiot; Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for American Idiot; Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Spring Awakening; Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards); Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spring Awakening; Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Spring Awakening; Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Spring Awakening; Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya; Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A View from the Bridge; Best Director - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A View from the Bridge / Side Man; Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A View from the Bridge.
Videos
