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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

Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame
[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
U.S. Premiere La Jolla Playhouse Production, 2014
Quasimodo
Ace
[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
Old Globe Production, 2007
John Robert
The Times They are A-Changin' The Times They are A-Changin'
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Coyote
The Times They are A-Changin'
[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2006
The Secret Garden
[New York]
New York Concert, 2005
Dickon
Swimming in the Shallows
[Off-Broadway]
2005
Nick
Pippin
[Regional (US)]
Reprise! Concert, 2005
Pippin
Bare
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2004
Peter
Big River Big River
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Tom Sawyer
Ensemble
Tom Sawyer
Ensemble

Productions

High Noon
 
[Broadway, 2030]
Director
The Lost Boys
 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
Lighting Designer
The Queen of VersaillesThe Queen of Versailles
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Director
ParadeParade
 
[US Tour, 2025]
Director
Maybe Happy EndingMaybe Happy Ending
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
Ben Platt Live at the PalaceBen Platt Live at the Palace
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
ParadeParade
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Director
A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
Once On This IslandOnce On This Island
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Director
AnnieAnnie
 
[Los Angeles, 2018]
Director
Once On This IslandOnce On This Island
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
Merrily We Roll AlongMerrily We Roll Along
 
[Los Angeles, 2016]
Director
Spring AwakeningSpring Awakening
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Director
A Tale of Two CitiesA Tale of Two Cities
 
[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
Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending


winner
Drama League Awards - 2025 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending


winner
Tony Awards - 2025 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending


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

More Videos

News


What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances Photo
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 4, 2026

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2026 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars! Be sure to check back for updates. We have all of the details!
Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; THE JACK OF HEARTS CLUB Photo
Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; THE JACK OF HEARTS CLUB Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 29, 2025

This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; Provincetown Theater Le Photo
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; Provincetown Theater Leads Favorite Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025

We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
3 Broadway Shows Close Today Photo
3 Broadway Shows Close Today
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 21, 2025

Broadway says goodbye to three productions. Art takes its final bow at the Music Box Theatre following 21 previews and 109 regular performances; The Queen of Versailles plays its final performance at the St. James Theatre after 32 previews and 49 regular performances; and Little Bear Ridge Road will conclude its run at the Booth Theatre following 27 previews and 62 regular performances.
Tony Award-Winner Darren Criss To Play The Playhouse On Rodney Square Photo
Tony Award-Winner Darren Criss To Play The Playhouse On Rodney Square
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 17, 2025

Tony-winner Darren Criss will bring a new concert tour to The Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington. The performance will feature music from across his career in television, Broadway, and popular music.
Jessica Vosk & Kelli Barrett Will Lead BEACHES on Broadway Photo
Jessica Vosk & Kelli Barrett Will Lead BEACHES on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 16, 2025

Following its sold-out, award-winning international premiere, Beaches, A New Musical will open on Broadway this spring at the Majestic Theatre, for a limited New York engagement to launch its multi-city National Tour.
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; THE JACK OF HEAR Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; THE JACK OF HEARTS CLUB Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 15, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Center Theatre Group Creates New Works Development Pipeline Photo
Center Theatre Group Creates New Works Development Pipeline
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 8, 2025

Center Theatre Group has in place a new developmental pipeline for plays and musicals, created by Snehal Desai, CTG’s Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director.
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; Leads Favorite Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; Leads Favorite Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 8, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
First Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; EVIL DEAD: THE MU Photo
First Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards; EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL HD Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 1, 2025

The first standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Boston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
More News

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?

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.

What awards has Michael Arden won?

Michael Arden has received several prestigious awards for his directing work. He won Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Drama League Awards, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Maybe Happy Ending. Additionally, he earned Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Maybe Happy Ending. He also received 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.

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