Michael Arden Headshot

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

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
U.S. Premiere La Jolla Playhouse Production, 2014
Quasimodo

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
Old Globe Production, 2007
John Robert

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Coyote

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2006
Coyote

[New York]
New York Concert, 2005
Dickon

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Nick

[Regional (US)]
Reprise! Concert, 2005
Pippin

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2004
Peter

Peter

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2003
Ensemble

Tom Sawyer

Michael Arden Productions

 
[Broadway, 2030]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2025]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Director
 
[Los Angeles, 2018]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Los Angeles, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[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

Michael Arden News


PARADE, FUNNY GIRL And More Available for PNC Broadway In Kansas City Season Membership Packages


PNC Broadway in Kansas City has announced that new Season Ticket Packages for the 24–25 Broadway season are available now.

SHUCKED, KIMBERLY AKIMBO And More Announced for Playhouse Square 2024-25 KeyBank Broadway Series


Discover the upcoming 24-25 KeyBank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square.

Ben Platt Will Embark on 'The Honeymind Tour' Beginning This Summer; Full List of Dates!


Ben Platt will embark on “The Honeymind Tour” playing across North America this summer.   Check out the full list of tour dates and find out where to get tickets here!

Ghee, Hewitt & Boggess to Star in MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL at Goodman Theatre


Goodman Theatre has revealed the initial cast for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Broadway Buying Guide: March 25, 2024- HADESTOWN Is (Livin' it Up) on Top


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, March 25, 2024.

Video: Ben Platt Is Feeling the Love and Playing the Palace


Tony winner Ben Platt is indeed back on Broadway later this spring when he arrives at the newly renovated Palace Theatre. In this video, watch as he chats more about what audiences can expect from the show!

Photos: Bradley Cooper, Adam Driver, Kit Connor & More on the Red Carpet for AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE


The stars aligned on 50th Street as An Enemy of the People celebrated its opening night at the Circle in the Square Theatre. In attendence for the big night were Bradley Cooper, Adam Driver, Kit Connor, F. Murray Abraham, Paul Dana, Dan Stevens, Morgan Spector, Rebecca Hall, and more. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities and you can check out photos from the red carpet here.

Video: Watch Ben Platt Perform & Talk Broadway Residency on THE VIEW


Fresh off the announcement about his upcoming Broadway residency, Ben Platt appeared on The View to perform his new single. Before the performance, Platt opened up about what inspired his new record, 'Honeymind,' and shared about why he's excited to play his own music on Broadway during the upcoming concert engagement. Watch videos!

Video: Kristin Chenoweth Performs 'Caviar Dreams' From THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES


Last weekend, Kristin Chenoweth performed at NJPAC in New Jersey, where she debuted the new song 'Caviar Dreams' from the upcoming musical The Queen of Versailles. Check out the video here!

Ben Platt Will Play 3-Week Concert Residency at Broadway's Palace Theatre


Ben Platt will play a three-week concert residency at Broadway's recently refurbished Palace Theatre this May, in celebration of the release of his upcoming third album Honeymind. The historic Broadway theatre has now been raised to create space for retail shops underneath. Past residencies at the Palace include Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Bette Mider, and more.

Loretta Devine, Amber Riley & More to Star in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere


The Alliance Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team of its world premiere musical, THE PREACHER’S WIFE. See who is starring and on the creative team along with ticketing information and more.

WAITRESS, MARY POPPINS, and More Set For 5th Avenue Theatre 2024-25 Season


The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced its 2024/25 season. The six-show lineup includes five productions brand new to The 5th Avenue Theatre stage. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

FUNNY GIRL, THE WIZ, and More Set For Broadway in Kansas City 2024-25 Season


Broadway in Kansas City has announced its upcoming season for 2024-25. The season will kick off in December with Funny Girl, and continue for a total of 7 shows. Learn more about the full season here!

Graham Philips and Talia Suskauer Lead SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE At Axelrod Performing Arts Center


Experience Sondheim's SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, NJ, this March. The show features a dance-forward staging by EAMON FOLEY and stars GRAHAM PHILLIPS and TALIA SUSKAUER.

Creative Team Set For Kristin Chenoweth-Led Pre-Broadway Run of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES


The creative team for the world premiere of The Queen of Versailles, starring Kristin Chenoweth, has been announced. Learn more about this pre-Broadway musical here!

THE WIZ, COMPANY, and More Set For The Smith Center for the Performing Arts' 2024-25 Broadway Season


The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has announced its latest lineup of Broadway productions for 2024/2025 The new season features 10 stage productions direct from Broadway that have collectively been showered with 33 Tony Awards®, 18 Drama Desk Awards and five Laurence Olivier Awards. Learn which shows are included.

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, SOME LIKE IT HOT & More Set for Broadway In Detroit 2024-25 Subscription Season


Broadway in Detroit has revealed its 2024-25 Subscription Season with seven shows coming to the Fisher Theatre and Detroit Opera House. 

Meet the Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


The newly reimagined production of The Who’s TOMMY begins Broadway previews tonight, March 8, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, with opening night on March 28, 2024. Meet the cast of The Who's Tommy here!

Ginna Claire Mason, Nathan Gunn, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and More Join SOUTH PACIFIC in Concert With The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra


Ginna Claire Mason, Nathan Gunn, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and more join South Pacific in Concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on May 10-11, 2024. Don't miss this captivating presentation of the beloved musical! Tickets available at IndianapolisSymphony.org.

WICKED, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE & More Set for BroadwaySF 2024/25 Season


BroadwaySF has unveiled the seven Broadway musicals that will make up the 2024/2025 season. See which shows are part of the lineup, and lear how to purchase tickets!

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 work in directing Broadway musicals. He was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical in the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Tony Awards for "Once on this Island." Additionally, he received nominations for Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and Drama Desk Awards for the same show. Arden was also nominated for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards for "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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