Michael Arden
Birth Place: Midland, TX, USA
Breaking Down the 2025/26 Broadway Season (May 2, 2026)
Video: Shoshana Bean Reveals Why She Almost Turned Down THE LOST BOYS (Apr 29, 2026)
70th Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List (Apr 29, 2026)
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
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Movies
[ 2006 ] Pinafore Actor
[ 2009 ] Kevin
[ 2009 ] Sam
[ 2011 ] Derek Frost
[ 2012 ] Doug Wert
[ 2016 ] Elliot
TV Shows
Patrick
Awards and Nominations
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
winner
Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending
winner
Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending
winner
Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending
winner
Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending
winner
Michael Arden, Once on this Island
Michael Arden, Once on this Island
Michael Arden, Once on this Island
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening
Videos
Video: Shoshana Bean Reveals Why She Almost Turned Down THE LOST BOYS
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-29 14:23:56
Video: Watch 'Never Fly Away' From MAYBE HAPPY ENDING From Backstage
by Michael Major - 2026-04-21 15:23:03
Video: LJ Benet Is Finding Belonging on Broadway in THE LOST BOYS
by Luka Vonier - 2026-04-21 13:33:16
Video: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING's Hannah Kevitt 'Passes the Charger' to Claire Kwon
by Michael Major - 2026-04-03 10:24:40
Video: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Stars of Broadway & Korea Duet on 'The Way That It Has To Be'
by Michael Major - 2026-04-02 16:56:15
Video: Kristin Chenoweth Reflects on THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Early Closing: 'We Got So Close'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-13 11:29:07
Video: THE LOST BOYS Cast Performs 'If We Make It Through The Night'
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-02-02 13:14:13
Video: Watch Kristin Chenoweth Perform 'This Is Not The Way' From THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-02 10:05:15
Video: Darren Criss Teams Up with Third Reprise for 80s Pop Rock Cover of 'I'm Not That Girl' From WICKED
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-24 13:46:22
Video: Kristin Chenoweth Reflects on Playing Jackie Siegel in THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-20 11:00:39
Video: Kristin Chenoweth Sings 'This Time Next Year' in THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
by Michael Major - 2025-11-17 14:59:48
Video: Andrew Barth Feldman Takes Final Bow in MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
by Michael Major - 2025-11-03 11:33:38
Videos: Sherie Rene Scott Prepares For QUEEN OF VERSAILLES With Ryah Nixon & Kristin Chenoweth
by Michael Major - 2025-10-29 12:35:25
Video: Darren Criss 'Passes the Charger' to Andrew Barth Feldman at MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
by Michael Major - 2025-09-05 15:51:00
News
by Nicole Rosky - May 2, 2026
The 2025/26 Broadway season has officially come to a close, and what a season it has been! Audiences have enjoyed a ton of exciting performances over the past twelve months, and with awards season now upon us, we're looking back at how this year's productions add up and compare to seasons past.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 29, 2026
Shoshana Bean joined Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Dinner's on Me to discuss her career on Broadway, including taking over the character of Elphaba from Idina Menzel in Wicked and why she almost didn't do The Lost Boys.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Raúl Esparza and Helen J Shen will announce the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00AM ET. Check out the nominees so far and check back later for teh complete list.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026
The Muny announced the lead cast for its upcoming production of SOUTH PACIFIC, starring Paulo Szot and Taylor Louderman alongside ten additional performers at the outdoor theatre in Forest Park.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 27, 2026
The world premiere of THE LOST BOYS is now open on Broadway! The production had its official opening night on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Broadway’s Palace Theatre. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big night and you can check out photos of the cast and creative team on the red carpet here.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 27, 2026
The world premiere of THE LOST BOYS is now open on Broadway! The production had its official opening night at Broadway’s Palace Theatre. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening bows here!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 27, 2026
The final show of the 2025/26 Broadway season is now open! The world premiere of THE LOST BOYS opened tonight, Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Broadway’s Palace Theatre. Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Michael Arden, the new musical features a book by David Hornsby & Chris Hoch, music & lyrics by The Rescues. Let's see what the critics are saying about the new musical...
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
See brand-new photos of all the damned vampires stalking Broadway's Palace Theater in THE LOST BOYS as it heads into its opening weekend!
by - Apr 22, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 22, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Michael Major - Apr 21, 2026
Maybe Happy Ending has offered a backstage look at 'Never Fly Away.' In a new social media video, fans can see the view from the wings of the Belasco Theatre as the musicians are revealed in the fan-favorite song.
by Luka Vonier - Apr 21, 2026
Rising star LJ Benet is stepping into the spotlight as 'Michael Emerson' in one of the hottest new shows of this Broadway season, The Lost Boys. Watch in this video as he chats more about working with director Michael Arden, collaborating with his cast mates, and so much more.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
Isa Briones and Sepideh Moafi hosted the live announcement of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations. Check out the full list of nominations here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 20, 2026
Rubicon Theatre Company has revealed the lineup for the 28th Season at the award-winning Southern California company, featuring five dramas, comedies, and musicals that explore the enduring power of family, community, memory, and shared humanity.
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 David Clarke - Apr 19, 2026
Paul Alexander Nolan portrays Max in THE LOST BOYS, now in previews at the Palace Theatre. In this ambitious stage adaptation of the cult classic film, Nolan brings nuance, humor, and unexpected humanity to one of the story’s most intriguing figures.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2026
Berkeley Repertory Theatre has revealed the seven productions of the organization’s 2026/27 season. Joining The Interestings, with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and book by Meg Wolitzer and Sarah Ruhl, are five West Coast premieres.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 10, 2026
The Smith Center announced its 2026-2027 Toyota Broadway Las Vegas Series, featuring seven productions including BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING. Subscriptions go on sale April 13.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2026
Symphony Space will present Inside the Interestings: An Evening with Sara Bareilles, Michael Arden, & Meg Wolitzer, a special one-night-only fundraiser for the institution that will take place in June.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2026
Zachary Noah Piser (KPOP, Dear Evan Hansen) and Hannah Kevitt (Maybe Happy Ending, Back to the Future) will play the roles of “Oliver” and “Claire” in Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway respectively, beginning on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
by Tyler Hinton - Apr 8, 2026
St. George, Utah native and Brigham Young University grad DeLaney Westfall gave BroadwayWorld the inside scoop on her newest Broadway job, in the ensemble and understudying Lucy in THE LOST BOYS, currently in previews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Michael Arden has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.
Michael Arden has not appeared in the West End.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for The Lost Boys, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lost Boys, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lost Boys, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Lost Boys, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Lost Boys, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Maybe Happy Ending, OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Maybe Happy Ending, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Maybe Happy Ending, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Maybe Happy Ending, 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.
Michael Arden has won several awards, including: Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Maybe Happy Ending; Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for Maybe Happy Ending; Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Maybe Happy Ending; Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Maybe Happy Ending; Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Once on this Island; and Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Spring Awakening.
Videos