Michael Greif
Latest News on Michael Greif:
BIO
Greif attended Northwestern University and graduated from the University of California, San Diego graduate directing program. He was the Artistic Director of the La Jolla Playhouse, LaJolla, California from 1994 to 1999.
He was an Artistic Associate at the New York Theatre Workshop where he directed, among others, Bright Lights, Big City (1998–99) and the original production of Rent for which he received the Obie Award for direction of a musical and which he later directed on Broadway.
Greif has directed several original Broadway musicals and been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical four times. In addition to Rent, his Broadway credits include If/Then (also at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.), Next to Normal (also at Second Stage Theatre and Arena Stage), Grey Gardens (also at Playwrights Horizons), Dear Evan Hansen (also at Arena Stage and Second Stage), and War Paint (also at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago).
In August 2023, it was announced that his Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of The Notebook would transfer to Broadway in March 2024 and in September 2023, it was announced that he would transfer his Off-Broadway production of Days of Wine and Roses to Broadway in January 2024.
Among his many directing credits Off-Broadway are Alicia Keys' autobiographical musical Hell's Kitchen, Katori Hall's Our Lady of Kibeho, John Guare's Landscape of the Body and A Few Stout Individuals at Signature Theatre, Beauty of the Father for the Manhattan Theatre Club, the 2009 Playwrights Horizons production of Mrs. Sharp (with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and starring Jane Krakowski), and Romeo and Juliet, The Winter's Tale, and The Tempest at the New York Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte Theater (2007, 2010, 2015).
Photos
RENT Family: Victoria Leacock, Lisa Zinni, Michael Greif, Martha Banta, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Marcus Paul James, Yassmin Alers, Fredi Walker-Browne, Schele Williams, Rodney Hicks, Maya Days, Tim Weil, Julie Larson, Destan Owens, Jeremy Kushnier, Karmine Alers and Michael McElroy
From: Photos: Museum of Broadway Hosts Special RENT Event With Tim Weil
Productions
See how Michael Greif connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Michael Greif from another Broadway star or creative.
Michael Greif
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Michael Greif, Days of Wine and Roses
Michael Greif, Hell's Kitchen
Michael Greif, The Low Road
winner
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Michael Greif, Our Lady of Kibeho
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Michael Greif, Grey Gardens
Michael Greif, Grey Gardens
winner
Michael Greif, Dogeaters
winner
Michael Greif, Dogeaters
Michael Greif, Dogeaters
winner
Michael Greif, Rent
Michael Greif, Rent
Videos
Video: Alicia Keys Surprises Audiences at HELL'S KITCHEN Opening in San Diego
by Stephi Wild - 2026-08-12 05:40:12
Video: 'I Can Hear the Stars' from BASURA at Alliance Theatre
by Joshua Wright - 2026-05-28 16:39:59
Video: Alex Lacamoire and BASURA Pay Tribute To Michael Greif On RENT 30th Anniversary
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-04-29 23:30:20
Video: Go Inside the First Rehearsal For BASURA at Alliance Theatre
by Michael Major - 2026-04-24 15:58:42
Video: Alysha Deslorieux Sings 'My Days' from THE NOTEBOOK Tour
by Joshua Wright - 2026-02-18 12:37:27
Video: Yolanda Adams Recalls First Meeting with HELL'S KITCHEN Creator Alicia Keys
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-23 11:21:22
Video: Ne-Yo Takes His First Bow in HELL'S KITCHEN on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-12-05 11:59:01
Video: Jessica Vosk Departs HELL'S KITCHEN With An Explosive 'Pawn It All'
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-01 21:34:50
Exclusive: Hannah Corneau Sings 'Built to Last' From 'Beautiful Little Fool' Concept Album
by Michael Major - 2025-11-28 10:00:40
Video: Yolanda Adams Says HELL'S KITCHEN Broadway Debut is a 'Bucket List' Moment
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - 2025-11-20 15:30:27
Video: Durrell 'Tank' Babbs and Amanda Reid Perform 'If I Ain’t Got You' From HELL'S KITCHEN
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-17 14:17:29
Video: THE NOTEBOOK Tour Cast Hears Orchestra For The First Time
by Joshua Wright - 2025-09-04 17:31:58
Video: Watch HELL'S KITCHEN Perform 'Girl on Fire' & 'No One' on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Michael Major - 2025-06-13 14:09:08
Video: Tank and Amanda Reid Perform 'If I Ain't Got You' From HELL'S KITCHEN; Deluxe Album Out Next Week
by Stephi Wild - 2025-05-16 05:37:09
Video: Watch Jessica Vosk Sing 'Love Looks Better' From HELL'S KITCHEN
by Michael Major - 2025-05-14 12:23:44
Video: Tank Discusses Broadway Debut in HELL's KITCHEN with Sherri Shepherd
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-11 16:47:03
News
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 21, 2026
The Tony and Grammy-winning musical featuring the music of Alicia Keys will make its Columbus debut with eight performances at the Ohio Theatre. Tickets start at $41.78 and go on sale Friday, August 21 at 10 a.m.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2026
The North American Tour of HELL'S KITCHEN, the Broadway musical from 17-time Grammy Award winner, Alicia Keys, will premiere in Hartford at The Bushnell.
by Zach Wetzel - Aug 20, 2026
The songs by Alicia Keys are catchy, the dancing is electric, and the pacing is fast.
by Aidan O'Connor - Aug 20, 2026
The Notebook at The National Theatre remarkably utilizes Allie & Noah’s lifelong love as an emotional smokescreen for the underlying calamity, time. Guided by a sweeping score, the beloved story is somehow even more impactful in musical form.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2026
Alicia Keys' HELL’S KITCHEN recently opened at the San Diego Civic Theatre. In a surprise to the audience members in attendance, Keys took the stage following the show and gave a post-show speech. Check out the video here
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 10, 2026
The Sarah Siddons Society will honor James Moore, music director and conductor of Lincoln Center Theatre's RAGTIME revival, with its Leading Artist Award in Chicago.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 7, 2026
Tickets to the North American Tour of the Tony Award-winning musical HELL'S KITCHEN, the Broadway musical from 17-time Grammy Award winner, Alicia Keys, are on sale now for the Schenectady, NY run at Proctors.
by Angela Lin - Aug 6, 2026
The Notebook’s company does their best with the material they’re given, but without the impactful soundtrack to accompany it, the show ultimately falls short of delivering the emotional depth you might expect or desire from a generational love story.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 4, 2026
Single tickets for THE NOTEBOOK, the musical based on the Nicholas Sparks novel and film, will go on sale as part of Proctors' KeyBank Broadway Series in Schenectady.
by Angela Lin - Aug 3, 2026
'Our story really reminds people of the things that we have in common that are so strong and so important. The concept of love and commitment to someone and the resilience of a life together are things that we all honor.'
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 30, 2026
Tickets are now available for THE NOTEBOOK, the musical based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, as part of the Broadway Grand Rapids season lineup.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2026
Emmy Award-winning THE VIEW co-host Joy Behar will make her Provincetown Town Hall debut alongside comedian Judy Gold in a fundraising evening benefiting Sandy Hook Promise.
by Michael Major - Jul 20, 2026
Watch Orfeh rehearse 'Good For You' from Dear Evan Hansen, before she takes on the role of 'Heidi Hansen' in the Harbour Lights Theatre production. Check out the video now!
by Bruce Glikas - Jul 13, 2026
New York Governor Kathy Hochul paid a visit on Ragtime on Broadway, posing for photos with the cast backstage! Check out photos of Hochul with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz and more from the company.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 8, 2026
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Hell's Kitchen, featuring music by Alicia Keys, is set for a limited eight-performance run at Baltimore's historic Hippodrome Theatre.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 30, 2026
Centre Stage will present DEAR EVAN HANSEN, the six-time Tony Award-winning musical with a book by Steven Levenson and score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, exploring social anxiety, grief, and human connection.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 30, 2026
The National Tour of Hell's Kitchen the Broadway musical from 17-time Grammy Award winner, Alicia Keys, will present a Seattle engagement that premieres at The Paramount Theatre.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 26, 2026
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical HELL'S KITCHEN, featuring music by Alicia Keys, will kick off the Broadway In Portland season at Keller Auditorium, with Maya Drake leading the North American Tour cast.
by Michael Gioia - Jul 11, 2026
BroadwayWorld looks back on the original Broadway cast of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey musical 'Next to Normal.'
by Michael Gioia - Jun 22, 2026
Michael Greif exclusively tells BroadwayWorld that he hopes to do the musical 'Rent' — which he directed when it came to Broadway 30 years ago — ‘justice.’
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Days of Wine and Roses, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hell's Kitchen, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for The Low Road, Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Dear Evan Hansen, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Dear Evan Hansen, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dear Evan Hansen, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Our Lady of Kibeho, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Next to Normal, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Grey Gardens, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Grey Gardens , Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Dogeaters, Direction (Obie Awards) for Dogeaters, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Dogeaters, Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Rent and Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Rent.
Best Direction of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Dear Evan Hansen; Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Dogeaters; Direction (Obie Awards) for Dogeaters; and Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Rent.
