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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


Review Roundup: PARADE National Tour Starring Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer Photo
Review Roundup: PARADE National Tour Starring Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer

The touring production of the recent Broadway revival of Parade is now on tour across the United States. What did the critics think? Read all the reviews. The company is led by Max Chernin (Broadway Revival of Parade) and Talia Suskauer  who will play Leo and Lucille Frank.
Listen: Hear Music From THE LOST BOYS Stage Adaptation Photo
Listen: Hear Music From THE LOST BOYS Stage Adaptation

Get a first listen to music from the stage adaptation of The Lost Boys. The new musical will be directed by Michael Arden, featuring music by The Rescues. Watch a video of them performing 'Belong To Someone' for the first time!
Sonia Friedman Joins Producing Team of Kristin Chenoweth-Led THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Photo
Sonia Friedman Joins Producing Team of Kristin Chenoweth-Led THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES

Sonia Friedman has joined the team as producer and general partner for the upcoming musical The Queen of Versailles. Learn more about the show and find out how to get tickets here!
PARADE Comes to the Kauffman Center This Month Photo
PARADE Comes to the Kauffman Center This Month

PARADE, winner of the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, will be part of the 24–25 PNC Broadway in Kansas City season and will make its Kansas City premiere at Kauffman Center this month.
Megan Hilty & Kristin Chenoweth Want the 'Real Housewives of Broadway' Photo
Megan Hilty & Kristin Chenoweth Want the 'Real Housewives of Broadway'

While appearing on a recent episode of Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, Death Becomes Her star Megan Hilty pitched the Real Housewives of Broadway to host and Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen. Watch the clip and read more here.
Interview: Talia Suskauer on PARADE at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis Photo
Interview: Talia Suskauer on PARADE at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

The first national tour of Parade will be making a stop at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis from January 21 to 26, 2025. We had the opportunity to chat with Talia Suskauer, who plays Lucille Frank, about this production and his excitement about coming to Minnesota.
25 Broadway People to Watch in 2025 Photo
25 Broadway People to Watch in 2025

Who should you keep your eye on as the spring season begins and awards season approaches? Check out our list of just 25 performers and creatives to watch out for in the new year! ​ ​
Video: Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer Are Getting Ready to Hit the Road in PARADE Photo
Video: Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer Are Getting Ready to Hit the Road in PARADE

Meet the Franks! Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer are getting ready to hit the road in the national tour of Parade. Watch in this video as the pair chats more about how they manifested sharing the stage together, how they are getting ready to tour the country, and so much more.
Videos: Darren Criss Talks MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, Performs Holiday Tunes  Photo
Videos: Darren Criss Talks MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, Performs Holiday Tunes

Darren Criss recently visited CBS Sunday Morning to discuss the new Broadway show, Maybe Happy Ending, and his road to Broadway, along with some performances of holiday tunes. Watch the videos now!
Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango & Greg Nobile to be Honored at NYTW's 2025 Gala Photo
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 Photo
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!
Marcus Choi Shares Backstage Routines, Moments, and More From MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Photo
Marcus Choi Shares Backstage Routines, Moments, and More From MAYBE HAPPY ENDING

Marcus Choi is currently appearing on Broadway in Maybe Happy Ending. He is taking us backstage at the Belasco Theatre to share some of his favorite backstage stories, moments, routines and more.
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING To Release Cast Recording Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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!
Full Cast Set for PARADE National Tour Starring Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer Photo
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.
Student Blog: Opinion: Politics and Art are Inseparable Photo
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 Photo
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!

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 award at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Once on this Island and the Outstanding Director of a Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Spring Awakening.

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