Michael Arden
Birth Place: Midland, TX, USA
BOOP! THE MUSICAL, OH, MARY! and More Set for The Smith Center's 2026-2027 Broadway Las Vegas Series (Apr 10, 2026)
Sara Bareilles, Michael Arden & Meg Wolitzer to Lead One-Night Fundraiser at Symphony Space (Apr 9, 2026)
Zachary Noah Piser and Hannah Kevitt Will Lead MAYBE HAPPY ENDING; Tour Cast Announced (Apr 8, 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
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: 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
Video: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING's Darren Criss and Will Aronson Talk Show's Success on PBS NewsHour
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-30 11:53:55
News
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.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 3, 2026
The official cast recording of Broadway's The Queen of Versailles is now available on digital platforms from Sony Masterworks Broadway. Listen to the album now, featuring music and lyrics by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz.
by Michael Major - Apr 3, 2026
Hannah Kevitt celebrated the end of her run as the full-time 'Claire' in Maybe Happy Ending by 'passing the charger' to her successor, Claire Kwon. A tradition at the production every time a role is passed on to a new performer, watch the video!
by Michael Major - Apr 2, 2026
Maybe Happy Ending stars from Broadway and Korea joined together for a mashup of “The Way That It Has To Be,” with Will Aronson. Watch a video of Hannah Kevitt, who plays Claire on Broadway, and Jin-Joo Park, who played Claire in Korea.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2026
Composer, singer, and performer Sara Bareilles has signed with Creative Artists Agency. Learn more about Bareilles and CAA, as well as their new partnership, here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 1, 2026
PNC Broadway in Columbus and CAPA have announced the 2026-2027 Season, headlined by the return of the legendary THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in the spring of 2027. Learn more about the lineup here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2026
The Academy Award-winning animated Warner Bros. film, directed by George Miller, Happy Feet is officially being developed as a new, Broadway-bound musical.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 31, 2026
The Bushnell has announced its 2026-2027 Broadway Series, showcasing a lineup of new Broadway hits alongside award-winning musicals. The series aims to attract theatergoers with a diverse selection of performances.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 28, 2026
First look photos have been released for THE LOST BOYS, now in previews on Broadway at The Palace Theatre. The musical, directed by Michael Arden, is based on the Warner Bros. film. Opening night is set for April 26.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2026
Performances are now underway for Beaches, A New Musical, the new musical about the friends who carry us through life. Learn more and meet the cast of Beaches here!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2026
Performances are now underway for the Broadway premiere of the new musical THE LOST BOYS. The production will open on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at The Palace Theatre. Meet the cast of THE LOST BOYS here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2026
Des Moines Performing Arts has revealed its 2026-27 Willis Broadway Series, bringing a lineup of Broadway’s biggest hits and new productions to the Des Moines Civic Center, including Hell's Kitchen, Just in Time and more.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2026
The general rush and digital lottery policies have been announced for the new musical THE LOST BOYS which begins Broadway performances this Friday, March 27, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 20, 2026
The Fabulous Fox Theatre has announced its 2026-2027 Broadway season, featuring a lineup of iconic stories and dazzling new musicals. Scheduled to commence in the fall of 2026, the season promises to bring a variety of performances that cater to diverse audiences. This announcement highlights the theatre's commitment to enriching the cultural landscape with high-quality theatrical productions. The season's specific show titles and opening dates will be revealed closer to the season launch.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2026
Denver Center for the Performing Arts Broadway and Cabaret has revealed the 2026/27 subscription season. The subscription season kicks off with the Broadway classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
by Team BWW - Mar 17, 2026
Let BroadwayWorld and Ticketmaster be your guide to which plays and musicals are the most buzz-worthy this week. Check out the shows we recommend that you should snag tickets to this week, starting March 16, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2026
The tracklist has been revealed for the forthcoming Cast Recording of The Queen of Versailles. The Queen of Versailles will release its Original Broadway Cast Recording on May 22.
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 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 for his work in theater, including: 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, and Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Maybe Happy Ending. He also won Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Once on this Island and Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spring Awakening.
Videos