Michael Mayer
Final Chance to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards (Jun 2, 2026)
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL to Play The Stranahan (Jun 1, 2026)
Video: GALILEO Trailer Featuring Raúl Esparza and the Voice of Neil deGrasse Tyson (Jun 1, 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 Team BWW - Jun 2, 2026
This is the final chance to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 1, 2026
The touring production of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, created in collaboration with Diamond himself, is set to play The Stranahan, telling the story of how the hitmaker became a star.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026
An all new trailer has been released for the upcoming Broadway production of Galileo, the new musical inspired by the life of Galileo Galilei. Check out the video here!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026
Ryan J. Haddad, Zhailon Levingston, Michael Mayer, Sam Pinkleton, Stark Sands, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson hosted the “Men of Broadway Celebrate Liberation” cocktail party, which was held at Dear Irving. Check out photos here!
by Team BWW - May 29, 2026
There's just four days left to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by A.A. Cristi - May 27, 2026
Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has shared her reaction to the news that the Broadway revival of CHESS would be ending its run early on Broadway. In a new video, JoJo gives fans a behind the scenes look at her preparation process for the show, rehearsing the songs, 'Nobody's Side,' and, 'I Know Him So Well'.
by Michael Major - May 27, 2026
Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has revealed that she was supposed to start rehearsals for CHESS on Broadway the day that the show announced its early closing. JoJo was set to take over the role of 'Florence Vassey' from Lea Michele.
by A.A. Cristi - May 26, 2026
Several performances of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Westside Theatre have been canceled due to necessary repairs to the venue's HVAC system, with the Off-Broadway production set to resume shortly after.
by Nicole Rosky - May 26, 2026
Chess will play its final performance on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre after over 250 performances starring Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher.
by Team BWW - May 22, 2026
The first standings have been revealed for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2026
Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins have revealed the 2026/2027 Season line-up, beginning this fall. With 12 productions—five world or Chicago premieres, a reinvestigated classic and more.
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
The complete creative team and ticket sale dates have been set for Galileo, the new musical inspired by the life of Galileo Galilei. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 17, 2026
Producers Paul Dainty and TEG Dainty, Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio have announced the internationally acclaimed production A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL will play a strictly limited engagement at The Sydney Lyric from November 2026.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2026
Next week, 54 Below will present the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Claire Kwon, Clint Holmes, Sing4Her in support of The Foundation for Women’s Cancer and more.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2026
FIM Flint Repertory Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning rock musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring Green Day's music, at the University of Michigan-Flint Theatre to close its season.
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2026
FIM Flint Repertory Theatre will present AMERICAN IDIOT at UM-Flint Theatre, closing its season with the Tony Award-winning rock musical based on Green Day's album, directed by Kevin O'Callaghan.
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 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 Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026
In this edition of Words From The Wings, we caught up with the vampires of The Lost Boys on Broadway, Sean Grandillo, Brian Flores, and Dean Maupin. They shared some of their favorite backstage moments, must-haves, and more!
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.
Michael Mayer has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including: - Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Little Shop of Horrors. - Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for American Idiot. - Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for American Idiot. - Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Spring Awakening. - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards. - Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Spring Awakening. - Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Spring Awakening. - Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Spring Awakening. - Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Uncle Vanya. - Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for A View from the Bridge. - Best Director - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A View from the Bridge and Side Man. - Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for A View from the Bridge.
Videos
