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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
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Director
 
[US Tour, 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


Broadway In Atlanta Offers Student Rush And Lucky Seat Lottery For PARADE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 17, 2025

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta has announced that PARADE will offer special lottery and student rush tickets for the upcoming engagement at the Fox Theatre from April 1 - 6.
Review: No One Should Pass by Emerson Colonial Theatre's PARADE
by R. Scott Reedy - Mar 16, 2025

What did our critic think of PARADE at Emerson Colonial Theatre?
Caissie Levy And Michael Arden To Join The Rescues In Concert March 15 At Gramercy Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 12, 2025

American rock band The Rescues will be joined by Olivier Award Nominee Caissie Levy (FROZEN, HAIR, NEXT TO NORMAL in the West End), Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Upcoming:  THE LOST BOYS on Broadway) and additional special guests, in concert on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Gramercy Theatre (127 E. 23rd Street). 
Photos: THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT Opens Off-Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 11, 2025

The new musical, The Jonathan Larson Project, is open now at at the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway. Check out photos from opening night here and learn more about the show!
THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, Led By Kristin Chenoweth, Gets Broadway Theater and Dates
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 10, 2025

The Queen of Versailles, which had its world premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre in the summer of 2024, will officially open at the St. James Theatre this fall. We have all of the details!
Video: Darren Criss Talks Positive Response to MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 6, 2025

Broadway star Darren Criss recently joined Good Morning America for a conversation about the new hit musical, Maybe Happy Ending. On the show, he talked about some of the musical's themes and talked about the positive response it has received. Watch the interview now!
Listen: Hear Dez Duron Sing 'Jenny' From MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Cast Recording
by Michael Major - Mar 6, 2025

Get a first listen to Dez Durong singing 'Jenny' from the Maybe Happy Ending original Broadway cast recording. The Original Cast Broadway Recording of Maybe Happy Ending will feature the musical comedy’s score by Will Aronson and Hue Park.
Video: Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Sing from MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

The cast of Maybe Happy Ending recently appeared on The Tonight Show! The cast, including Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, Dez Duron, and Marcus Choi, performed a medley of 'Why Love?' and 'When You're In Love.' Check out the video here!
Video: Darren Criss & Helen J Shen Sing 'The Rainy Day We Met' From MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2025

Maybe Happy Ending stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen with music by Will Aronson, lyrics by Hue Park, book by both Aronson and Park, and direction by Tony Award-winner Michael Arden. Watch Darren Criss and Helen J Shen sing 'The Rainy Day We Met' here! 
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Cast to Perform on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 28, 2025

Tune into The Tonight Show next week to watch the cast of Maybe Happy Ending perform from the hit musical! Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, and other members of the company will mark their late-night performance debut with the appearance.
Broadway's OTHELLO: Meet the All-Star Cast as Previews Begin at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2025

Discover the star-studded cast of Broadway's OTHELLO as previews launch tonight, February 24, 2025, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Premiere set for March 23.
Listen: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Sets Cast Album Release Date; Hear the First Single
by Stephi Wild - Feb 21, 2025

Broadway's newest love story, Maybe Happy Ending, will release its original Broadway cast recording this spring. The show has released an all new song, 'The Rainy Day We Met', performed by Darren Criss and Helen J Shen. 
Video: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Understudy Hannah Kevitt Makes Her Debut
by Michael Major - Feb 19, 2025

Maybe Happy Ending understudy Hannah Kevitt made her debut as 'Claire' on February 18. Watch a video of Kevitt taking her first bow at the Belasco Theatre on Tuesday.
Tickets to PARADE At The Hobby Center to go on Sale This Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 18, 2025

Individual tickets for Parade, winner of the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, at the Hobby Center will go on sale to the public this week. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
First Listen: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Are 'Hitting the Road'
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 13, 2025

Broadway's newest love story, Maybe Happy Ending, will release its original Broadway cast recording this spring. The show dropped a first listen on social media today, featuring stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen. Hear, 'Fireflies' now!
Photos: NYTW's 2025 Gala Honors Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango, and Greg Nobile
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 11, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop just celebrated its NYTW 2025 Gala, honoring Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Check out photos from inside the big day.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 11, 2025
by - Feb 11, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 11, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: First Look At PARADE National Tour Starring Max Chernin, Talia Suskauer and More
by Joshua Wright - Feb 11, 2025

Check out first look video of the new touring production of Michael Arden's Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Parade, now on tour across the United States. The production is led by Max Chernin (Parade on Broadway) and Talia Suskauer as Leo and Lucille Frank.
Review: PARADE at Connor Palace/Key Bank Series
by Roy Berko - Feb 7, 2025

PARADE, which is now on stage at the Palace Theatre as part of the Key Bank Broadway series, is a musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown.
New York Theatre Workshop Announces Additional Performers And Presenters For Their 2025 Annual Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop has announced additional performers and presenters for the NYTW 2025 Gala, honoring Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile.

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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