Michael Arden
Birth Place: Midland, TX, USA
Video: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING at The Smith Center (Jun 12, 2026)
Video: "Now, Forever" from THE LOST BOYS Cast Recording (Jun 12, 2026)
Photos: SILVERBACK MOUNTAIN Opens At AMT Theater (Jun 10, 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
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
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
winner
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
winner
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: Dane Laffrey Reacts to Tony Win for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for THE LOST BOYS
by Talking Tonys - 2026-06-07 21:58:47
Video: Zachary Noah Piser and Hannah Kevitt Take First Bows in MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
by Stephi Wild - 2026-05-20 08:31:36
Video: THE LOST BOYS Cast Performs "My Heart With You" and "Belong to Someone"
by Stephi Wild - 2026-05-19 07:00:10
Video: Michael Arden Took Big Chances on THE LOST BOYS... And They Paid Off
by Luka Vonier - 2026-05-15 15:01:10
Video: THE LOST BOYS Takes Bite Out of Broadway on Opening Night
by Luka Vonier - 2026-04-30 09:47:33
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
News
by Robert Diamond - Jun 12, 2026
The Smith Center has shared a new video for MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, the six-time Tony Award winner including Best Musical, now playing in Las Vegas.
by Joshua Wright - Jun 12, 2026
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of The Lost Boys arrives July 24 - listen to the new single 'Now, Forever,' performed by LJ Benet and Maria Wirries, now streaming.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2026
Silverback Mountain, created by and starring Mickey Gooch Jr., recently celebrated its Off-Broadway opening night at AMT Theater. Check out photos from the evening.
by Team BWW - Jun 10, 2026
The results are in for the 2026 BroadwayWorld Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Lost Boys dominated the night with wins including Best New Musical, Best Direction, and Best Lead Performer, while Death of a Salesman and Every Brilliant Thing's Daniel Radcliffe led the play categories.
by Michael Major - Jun 10, 2026
The Lost Boys incorporated the four Tony Awards that they won into their Tuesday night performance. Benjamin Pajak, who plays Sam Emerson, broke down where the Tony Awards were hidden throughout the performance in an Instagram video.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 8, 2026
Last night saw the 79th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating the incredible theater work seen on Broadway this past year. Take a look inside the CBS and Pluto TV broadcasts below, including presenters, performances, and acceptance speeches from shows like The Lost Boys, Schmigadoon!, Ragtime, Titaníque, and more.
by Talking Tonys - Jun 7, 2026
Ali Louis Bourzgui took home a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for The Lost Boys. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge.
by Talking Tonys - Jun 7, 2026
Dane Laffrey took home a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for The Lost Boys. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction!
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 5, 2026
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical Maybe Happy Ending, directed by Michael Arden, will launch its North American Tour at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre, with original Broadway cast members Steven Huynh and Claire Kwon starring.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
Something's coming! The best of Broadway will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2026
It was a vampire meetup at the Palace Theater when Sam Reid, star of AMC’s “The Vampire Lestat”, stopped by to check out a recent performance of The Lost Boys on Broadway. Check out the photos here!
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 7, 2026
Our annual celebration of the Broadway season's most unforgettable moments, including viral vocals, scene-stealing cats, powerhouse singers, devastating entrances, and other achievements not recognized by the Tony Awards.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
The best of Broadway takes the stage tonight at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Stay tuned all night ling for updates from inside the ceremony.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
The 79th Annual Tony Awards have come and gone! As winners took the stage at the big event, BroadwayWorld brought you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2026
You can now get a first look at Zachary Noah Piser as “Oliver” and Hannah Kevitt as “Claire” in Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway. Check out new photos of the stars on stage.
by Team BWW - Jun 2, 2026
This is the final chance to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2026
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics kicked off Pride Month by bestowing Prince Faggot and Ragtime top honors in the group’s fourth annual Dorian Theater Awards.
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 1, 2026
Shoshana Bean, who is nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in The Lost Boys, recently received her iconic portrait at Sardi's. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the unveiling here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2026
The 2026 Tony Award Nominees gathered at The Rainbow Room for the 2026 Nominees Luncheon to celebrate the Broadway season and share in the excitement of joining this year’s class of Tony Nominees. See photos!
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 the following awards: - Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle 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 Spring Awakening.
Videos
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
