Michael Mayer
Video: CHESS Star Nicholas Christopher Stuns with 'Endgame' Finale (Apr 23, 2026)
Video: Aaron Tveit Opens Up About Wardrobe Mishap During CHESS Performance (Apr 21, 2026)
Video: CHESS Stars Reflect on New Cast Recording: 'The Album Really Rocks' (Apr 21, 2026)
BIO
Recent work includes: Chess (Kennedy Center), WarholCapote (ART), Michael Moore's The Terms of My Surrender (Belasco), and the world premiere of Nico Muhly's opera Marnie at London's ENO. Broadway Credits include: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony Award, best musical revival, also National Tour), Spring Awakening (Tony Award/Best Musical and Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Director; also London, National Tour, Vienna, Tokyo, and Seoul productions); American Idiot (also co-author, Drama Desk Award for Best Director; also US, UK and Asia tours); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Award/Best Musical also London and National Tour), Side Man (Tony Award/Best Play also London and Kennedy Center Productions), A View from the Bridge (Tony Award/Best Revival), Everyday Rapture, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Triumph of Love. Off-Broadway credits include: Love, Love, Love (Roundabout), Brooklynite (Also co-author, Vineyard), Whorl Inside A Loop (with Dick Scanlan, Second Stage), 10 Million Miles (Atlantic). National Tour: Angels in America. London: a record-breaking West End run of Funny Girl and UK tour. Tokyo: As You Like It (Toho Theatre). Film: The Seagull, A Home at the End of the World, and Flicka. Television: Smash (Director/Producer, Season One) and two seasons of Alpha House for Amazon. Opera: a celebrated production of Rigoletto (Met). He serves on the Board of New York Stage and Film. @MichaelMayerDIR. This one is for Beatrice Terry.
Photos
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Productions
Writing
Awards and Nominations
Michael Mayer, Funny Girl
winner
Michael Mayer, Little Shop of Horrors
Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
winner
Michael Mayer, American Idiot
winner
Michael Mayer, American Idiot
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Mayer
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
winner
Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
Michael Mayer, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Michael Mayer, Thoroughly Modern Millie
winner
Michael Mayer, Uncle Vanya
winner
Michael Mayer, A View from the Bridge
Michael Mayer, You're a Good Man
Michael Mayer, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
winner
Michael Mayer, A View from the Bridge / Side Man
Michael Mayer, A View From the Bridge
winner
Michael Mayer, A View from the Bridge
Michael Mayer, America Dreaming
Videos
Exclusive: Watch the Cast of CHESS Perform Golden Bangkok on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2026-04-14 12:45:52
Video: Bryce Pinkham and the Cast of CHESS Perform 'The Arbiter' on KELLY CLARKSON
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-27 10:09:30
Video: 'Addio, del passato' from Michael Mayer-Directed LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-25 13:19:26
Video: First Look at Michael Mayer-Directed LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-24 12:19:07
Video: Watch Lea Michele and the Cast of CHESS Perform 'Nobody's Side' on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-18 10:07:26
Video: Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele & Nicholas Christopher Perform From CHESS on TODAY
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-15 17:48:37
Notes on a Script: Danny Strong on Making the Book to CHESS Work
by Joey Mervis - 2025-11-20 12:40:04
Video: Aaron Tveit & CHESS Cast Launch the 'One Night In Bangkok Challenge'
by Michael Major - 2025-11-14 10:18:09
Video: Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele & Nicholas Christopher Talk CHESS, Share Vocal Warmups on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-11 10:41:15
Video: Watch Madeline Brewer & Major Attaway Sing 'Sominex' in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Michael Major - 2025-10-27 12:26:44
Exclusive: Go Inside the First Preview of CHESS With New Footage
by Michael Major - 2025-10-17 10:00:20
Video: Liz Gillies Sings 'Somewhere That's Green' in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Michael Major - 2025-06-17 11:16:42
Video: Milo Manheim and Liz Gillies Talk LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Favorite Musicals, & More in Puppy Interview
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-24 14:58:28
Video: Watch Christina Nilsson Sing 'O patria mia' From Michael Mayer's AIDA
by Michael Major - 2025-03-20 09:42:08
Video: Sherie Rene Scott Belts Out 'My Strongest Suit' During Birthday Party
by Michael Major - 2025-02-10 14:01:38
News
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
Broadway's newest heartthrob Nicholas Christopher is bringing the heat and winning hearts in the smash-hit revival of Chess. In newly released video from inside the Imperial Theatre, Nicholas proves his chops in the live setting, flawlessly executing the astonishing feat backed by the show's company.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 21, 2026
Aaron Tveit may be a Tony Award-winning performer, but he still faces challenges while treading the boards. Watch his visit to The Kelly Clarkson Show, where the Chess star shares a story about a wardrobe malfunction that happened during a performance of the revival.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 21, 2026
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher visited Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday to discuss starring in the Broadway revival of Chess. Watch their appearance now!
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 Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2026
American History Unbound's “We Chose to Go to the Moon,” a multimedia production that brings the story of America’s race to the moon to life, will be performed at New World Center in Miami.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2026
Nick Fradiani, who stars as Neil Diamond in A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, will perform a bonus post-show concert of Diamond songs at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, free with a ticket to the performance.
by Michael Major - Apr 14, 2026
Enjoy 'one night in Bangkok' and watch the cast of Chess on Broadway performing 'Golden Bangkok.' Watch the video, featuring Casey Garvin, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Samantha Pollino, Katie Webber, and more.
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 11, 2026
Two decades after Spring Awakening first premiered on Broadway, BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this era-defining musical, including Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff, and more has been up to.
by Michael Major - Apr 10, 2026
Get a first listen to the CHESS (2025 Broadway Cast Recording), now available on digital and streaming formats. The album features Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, Nicholas Christopher, Hannah Cruz, Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Sean Allan Krill, and more.
by Michael Major - Apr 7, 2026
Get a first listen to Aaron Tveit singing 'Pity the Child' from the upcoming Chess cast recording. The new track follows Lea Michele's 'Nobody's Side,' which was released last month. Nicholas Christopher's 'Anthem' was made available last week.
by Michael Major - Apr 6, 2026
Aaron Tveit's 'Pity the Child' from the Chess cast recording will be released tonight at midnight. The new single comes ahead of the full cast recording's release this Firday, April 10. The album will be released on CD and vinyl later this year.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2026
The 2025 Broadway Cast Recording of CHESS will be released in digital and streaming formats on Friday, April 10. Learn more about how to pre-save or or pre-order the album here.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 27, 2026
During a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, a segment was dedicated to Broadway's Chess, featuring a performance of 'The Arbiter' from the cast of the hit revival. Watch the performance here, led by Bryce Pinkham.
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 Joshua Wright - Mar 25, 2026
Watch Lisette Oropesa sings an excerpt from Violetta’s Act III aria in an early stage rehearsal. A cornerstone of the repertory, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera follows Violetta Valéry, a Parisian courtesan navigating love and sacrifice. The production is directed by Michael Mayer and features a staging designed to reflect the emotional scope of the score.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2026
American History Unbound has set an all-star lineup of performers for its return to Carnegie Hall with We Chose to Go to the Moon. Stars include Skylar Astin, Elizabeth Gillies and more!
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 25, 2026
Multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actress Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque will return to Broadway as “Florence Vassy” alongside Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher in the record-breaking new production of CHESS beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
by - Mar 25, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 25, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2026
The Capitol Theatre Port Hope, has revealed the cast members for the four mainstage productions of the Where Our Stories Begin summer season featuring Come From Away and more.
by Joshua Wright - Mar 24, 2026
Watch a first look video of LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera, running March 20–June 6, 2026. The production is directed by Michael Mayer and features a staging designed to reflect the emotional scope of the score.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Michael Mayer has written 2 shows including The Flamingo Kid (Bookwriter), American Idiot (Bookwriter).
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Funny Girl, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Little Shop of Horrors, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for American Idiot, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for American Idiot, Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Spring Awakening, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Spring Awakening, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A View from the Bridge, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for You're a Good Man, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Best Director - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A View from the Bridge / Side Man, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for A View From the Bridge, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A View from the Bridge and Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for America Dreaming.
Michael Mayer has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. He won the Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Little Shop of Horrors. He also captured the Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for American Idiot, along with the Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for the same production. His work on Spring Awakening earned him multiple accolades, including the Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards, the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards, the Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards. Additionally, he received the Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Spring Awakening, as well as for Uncle Vanya and A View from the Bridge. He was also honored with the Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for A View from the Bridge and the Best Director - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A View from the Bridge / Side Man.
Videos