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Michael Arden

Birth Place: Midland, TX, USA

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BIO

Michael Arden is a Tony-nominated director for his revival of Spring Awakening. The acclaimed production transferred from Deaf West Theater in Los Angeles to Broadway in fall 2015. He also won the Outer Critics Circle for Outstanding Director of a Musical and was nominated for a Drama Desk award for the production. Michael made his Broadway debut in Deaf West Theater and the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Big River. Other directing credits include My Fair Lady at Bay Street Theater; Merrily We Roll Along at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Los Angeles, where he is currently the Artist in Residence; LA Ronde for his company, the Forest of Arden; and For the Record: John Hughes in LA and NYC. His production of The Pride opened at the Wallis Annenberg Center in June 2017. Other theatre credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Times they are a Changin', Ragtime (Avery Fisher), It's Only Life, Swimming in the Shallows, Ace, Juno, As You Like It, The Winter's Tale, The Secret Garden, Pippin (Mark Taper Forum), and Aspects of Love at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London. Michael's film work includes Source Code, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Bride Wars and So B It. He has also worked extensively in TV, most notably on FX and Fox's "Anger Management." Other TV credits include "GCB," "Nurse Jackie," "Royal Pains," "Unforgettable," "Off the Map," "Kings," "The Closer," "The Forgotten," "Bones," "The Return of Jezebel James," "Cashmere Mafia," "Grey's Anatomy," and "NUMB3RS." Concert work includes singing with Barbra Streisand, Chris Botti, and performances at 54 BELOW, Feinstein's at the Regency and Joe's Pub. Michael is an alum of The Interlochen Arts Academy and The Juilliard School.


Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
U.S. Premiere La Jolla Playhouse Production, 2014
Quasimodo

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
Old Globe Production, 2007
John Robert

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Coyote

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2006
Coyote

[New York]
New York Concert, 2005
Dickon

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Nick

[Regional (US)]
Reprise! Concert, 2005
Pippin

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2004
Peter

Peter

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Ensemble

Tom Sawyer

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2030]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2025]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Director
 
[Los Angeles, 2018]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Los Angeles, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Assistant Director

Movies

The Good Shepherd
[ 2006 ] Pinafore Actor
Bride Wars
[ 2009 ] Kevin
The Cave Movie
[ 2009 ] Sam
Source Code
[ 2011 ] Derek Frost
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
[ 2012 ] Doug Wert
So B. It
[ 2016 ] Elliot

TV Shows

Anger Management
Patrick

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2018 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Once on this Island

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Michael Arden, Once on this Island

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Once on this Island

Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Michael Arden, Spring Awakening


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Michael Arden, Spring Awakening

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Spring Awakening

Videos

News


Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango & Greg Nobile to be Honored at NYTW's 2025 Gala

New York Theatre Workshop's 2025 Gala will honor Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Learn more and see how to attend.
Video: Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Share Insights on MAYBE HAPPY ENDING

On Monday, Darren Criss and Helen J Shen visited Late Night with Seth Meyers to discuss the new Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending. Set in the future, the two stars play helper bots that find an unexpected connection with one another. Watch the interview!
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; BONNIE & CLYDE at Marietta Theatre Company Leads Best Musical!

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING To Release Cast Recording

Great news to share for fans of Happy Ending, the new musical starring Darren Criss and Helen J Shen. On social media, the show revealed this evening that a cast recording is in the works.
Darren Criss & Helen J Shen to Visit LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS Next Week

On Monday, December 16, Broadway fans can tune into Late Night with Seth Meyers for an interview with Darren Criss and Helen J Shen. The duo will visit the late-night show to discuss the new Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending.
Videos You Missed This Week: THE GREAT GATSBY, THE OUTSIDERS, and More

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! As the year comes to a close, so does the fist half of the 2024-25 Broadway season. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending December 13, 2024 with videos from Annie, The Great Gatsby, The Outsiders, and more!
Video: Dez Duron Unpacks Why MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Is So Loved By Audiences

This video features actor and vocalist Dez Duron who made his Broadway debut in the original Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending this fall. Duron shares why the show has been so well received by both critics and audiences, his collaboration with iconic director, Michael Arden and what he has learned from watching theatre veteran Darren Criss.
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Releases New Block of Tickets

Maybe Happy Ending has released a new block of tickets now on sale through Sunday, September 7, 2025. Learn more about how to get tickets for the new performances here!
Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW Atlanta Awards

Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Full Cast Set for PARADE National Tour Starring Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer

The full cast has been set for the National Tour of Parade. The tour will feature seven members of the Broadway revival company. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
First Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW Atlanta Awards

Check out the first stats for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Student Blog: Opinion: Politics and Art are Inseparable

One of the worst bad-faith criticisms you can find of anything is the idea that something was “too political” or “had an agenda” and is therefore not something you should engage with. It infuriates me to no end. In addition to being a dog whistle that feels more like a foghorn, it is contradictory to what makes art art.
Video: The North American Tour of PARADE Comes to The 5th Avenue Theatre

The national tour of Parade, starring Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer, will play The 5th Avenue Theatre from April 16th through May 4, 2025. Watch a trailer for the tour in the video here!
Video: Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway

Maybe Happy Ending, the new romantic musical comedy starring Darren Criss and Helen J Shen officially opened on Broadway on November 12 at the Belasco Theatre. Get a first look at footage here! 
Jefferson Mays' One-Man A CHRISTMAS CAROL is Now Available to Stream Online

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring Jefferson Mays playing over 50 roles, is now available to stream online. Learn more about where you can watch this production here!
Broadway Buying Guide: November 18, 2024- MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Arrives on Broadway

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, November 18, 2024.
Christmas Films Adapted For the Stage

Whether you're into a more serious story like It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol, or something more silly and fun like Elf or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, there is a Christmas movie-turned-musical for everyone who celebrates!
Video: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Celebrates Opening Night

Maybe Happy Ending officially opened to critical acclaim. Watch in this video as Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, and the rest of the company check in on opening night!
Review Roundup: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, Starring Darren Criss and Helen J Shen.

Though the company celebrated last night, Maybe Happy Ending officially opens on Broadway today, November 12. Check out what the critics are saying about the new musical here.
OTHELLO Starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Finds Full Cast

The complete cast has been announced for Shakespeare's Othello, starring Tony Award winner and two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Tony Award nominee and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Michael Arden been in?

Michael Arden has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Michael Arden been in?

Michael Arden has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Michael Arden been nominated for?

Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Once on this Island, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Once on this Island, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Once on this Island, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spring Awakening and Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Spring Awakening.

What awards has Michael Arden won?

Michael Arden has won the Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Once on this Island and the Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Spring Awakening.

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