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Michael Arden

Birth Place: Midland, TX, USA

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Michael Arden 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.


Michael Arden Photos

Michael Arden 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
Coyote
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
Peter
Big River Big River
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Ensemble
Tom Sawyer

Michael Arden Productions

High Noon
 
[Broadway, 2030]
Director
ParadeParade
 
[US Tour, 2025]
Director
Maybe 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

Michael Arden 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

Michael Arden TV Shows

Anger Management
Patrick

Michael Arden Awards and Nominations


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

Michael Arden Videos

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Michael Arden News


Broadway Buying Guide: June 10, 2024- Get Tickets to Incoming Shows Photo
Broadway Buying Guide: June 10, 2024- Get Tickets to Incoming Shows

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, June 10, 2024.
Video: Cynthia Erivo Joins Ben Platt to Perform 'Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Agai Photo
Video: Cynthia Erivo Joins Ben Platt to Perform 'Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again'

Yesterday's special guest at Ben Platt: Live at the Palace was Cynthia Erivo! The Broadway star, and star of the upcoming Wicked film, joined Platt onstage for a rendition of 'Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again'. Check out video clips here!
Video: Meghan Trainor Joins Ben Platt at Palace Residency to Perform 'Like I'm Gonna Photo
Video: Meghan Trainor Joins Ben Platt at Palace Residency to Perform 'Like I'm Gonna Lose You'

Watch Meghan Trainor appear at Ben Platt's Palace Residency to perform a duet of 'Like I'm Gonna Lose You' in the video here!
Video: Kristen Bell Joins Ben Platt at Palace Residency to Perform A James Taylor/Car Photo
Video: Kristen Bell Joins Ben Platt at Palace Residency to Perform A James Taylor/Carole King Mashup

Joining Ben Platt as the special guest at his residency, Ben Platt: Live at the Palace, last night was Kristen Bell! Bell joined Platt for a mashup of songs from celebrated songwriters Carole King and James Taylor.
Video: Kelli O'Hara Joins Ben Platt at Palace Residency to Perform 'Both Sides Now' B Photo
Video: Kelli O'Hara Joins Ben Platt at Palace Residency to Perform 'Both Sides Now' By Joni Mitchell

Joining Ben Platt as the special guest at his residency, Ben Platt: Live at the Palace, last night was Kelli O'Hara! O'Hara joined Platt for a performance of 'Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell. Watch the video here!
Video: Tori Kelly Joins Ben Platt at Residency to Perform 'Stay' By Rihanna Photo
Video: Tori Kelly Joins Ben Platt at Residency to Perform 'Stay' By Rihanna

Last night's special guest at Ben Platt's residency, Ben Platt: Live at the Palace was Tori Kelly. The singer joined Platt for a performance of 'Stay' by Rihanna. Check out the video here!
Video: Watch Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Perform 'When You're in Love' From MAYBE H Photo
Video: Watch Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Perform 'When You're in Love' From MAYBE HAPPY ENDING

The producers of the new romantic musical comedy Maybe Happy Ending have released a new music video of the song “When You’re in Love,” starring Darren Criss (“Oliver”) and Helen J Shen (“Claire”) by Will Aronson and Hue Park, directed by Michael Arden from the upcoming musical. Watch the video!
Video: Alex Newell Joins Ben Platt to Perform 'Suddenly Seymour' From LITTLE SHOP OF Photo
Video: Alex Newell Joins Ben Platt to Perform 'Suddenly Seymour' From LITTLE SHOP OF HORORRS

Last night's special guest at Ben Platt's residency, Ben Platt: Live at the Palace was Alex Newell! Newell joined Platt for a performance of 'Suddenly Seymour' from Little Shop of Horrors. Check out the video here!
Broadway Buying Guide: June 3, 2024- Ben Platt is Back Photo
Broadway Buying Guide: June 3, 2024- Ben Platt is Back

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, June 3, 2024.
Video: Ben Platt and Adrienne Warren Sing 'If Momma Was Married' From GYPSY Photo
Video: Ben Platt and Adrienne Warren Sing 'If Momma Was Married' From GYPSY

Ben Platt was joined on stage by Adrienne Warren during his residency at The Palace Theatre last night. The pair performed 'If Momma Was Married' from Gypsy. Check out the video here!
Tituss Burgess Didn't Think He'd Be The One to Turn THE PREACHER'S WIFE Into A Musica Photo
Tituss Burgess Didn't Think He'd Be The One to Turn THE PREACHER'S WIFE Into A Musical

Tituss Burgess spoke to People about his new musical based on the film The Preacher's Wife, which is currently running at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.
Video: Rachel Zegler and Laura Dreyfuss Join Ben Platt at Palace Residency Photo
Video: Rachel Zegler and Laura Dreyfuss Join Ben Platt at Palace Residency

Watch Rachel Zeglar and Laura Dreyfuss make guest appearances at Ben Platt's Palace Theatre residency last night. Watch the performances here!
Video: Ben Platt and Noah Galvin Sing Beyonce and Miley Cyrus Duet During Platt's Pal Photo
Video: Ben Platt and Noah Galvin Sing Beyonce and Miley Cyrus Duet During Platt's Palace Residency

At Ben Platt's Palace Theatre residency last night, Platt and fiance Noah Galvin sang 'II Most Wanted' by Beyonce and Miley Cyrus, from Beyonce's Cowboy Carter Album. Watch the performance here!
Review Roundup: Tituss Burgess' THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere Photo
Review Roundup: Tituss Burgess' THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

The reviews are starting to roll in for The Alliance Theatre's world premiere musical, THE PREACHER’S WIFE, inspired by the 1996 film of the same name
Video: Go Inside Opening Night Of THE PREACHER'S WIFE in Atlanta Photo
Video: Go Inside Opening Night Of THE PREACHER'S WIFE in Atlanta

On Friday, May 24, 2024, THE PREACHER’S WIFE celebrated opening night at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.  Inspired by the beloved blockbuster film, this world premiere musical was celebrated by stars and audiences alike as it debuted on the Coca-Cola Stage.  Watch as the creative team walks the red carpet in this all-new video!
Video: Ben Platt and Leslie Odom Jr. Perform 'The Sound of Silence' at the Palace The Photo
Video: Ben Platt and Leslie Odom Jr. Perform 'The Sound of Silence' at the Palace Theater

Ben Platt was joined on stage by Leslie Odom, Jr. during last night's performance of Ben Platt: Live at the Palace. The pair performed 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon and Garfunkel. Check out the video here!
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Video: Ben Platt and Kristin Chenoweth Perform 'Til There Was You' From THE MUSIC MAN

Ben Platt was joined on stage by Kristin Chenoweth during last night's performance of Ben Platt: Live at the Palace. The pair performed 'Til There Was You' from The Music Man.  Check out the video here!
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Photos: Inside Opening Night of BEN PLATT: LIVE AT THE PALACE

All new photos have been released of Tony®, GRAMMY®, and Emmy® Award winner Ben Platt’s historic reopening of Broadway’s Palace Theatre. Check out the photos here!
Video: Ben Platt Electrifies With A CABARET Classic At Palace Theatre Residency Photo
Video: Ben Platt Electrifies With A CABARET Classic At Palace Theatre Residency

Tonight, Tony Award-winner Ben Platt made his return to Broadway in a new concert residency reopening Broadway's recently remodeled Palace Theatre. See video from his performance as he pays tribute to diva Liza Minnelli.
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What We Know So Far About THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Musical

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Michael Arden 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?

Michael Arden has been nominated for several awards for his direction in Broadway productions. These include Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards, all for "Once on this Island." Additionally, he received nominations for Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards, for his work on "Spring Awakening."

What awards has Michael Arden won?

Michael Arden has won the Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Once on this Island" and the Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Spring Awakening."

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