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Michael Greif

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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).

Michael Greif Photos

Michael Greif Productions

 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Co-Director
 
[Broadway, 2024]
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[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
 
[Chicago, 2022]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[West End, 2021]
Director
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
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[Toronto, 2019]
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[Off-Broadway, 2018]
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[Off-Broadway, 2017]
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[Broadway, 2017]
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[Chicago, 2016]
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[Off-Broadway, 2016] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2015]
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[Washington, DC (Regional), 2015]
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[Off-Broadway, 2015]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Off-Broadway, 2013]
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[Off-Broadway, 2012]
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[Off-Broadway, 2011]
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[US Tour, 2010]
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[Off-Broadway, 2010]
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[Off-Broadway, 2010]
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[Off-Broadway, 2010]
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[Broadway, 2009]
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[US Tour, 2009]
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[Off-Broadway, 2008]
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[Off-Broadway, 2008]
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[Off-Broadway, 2007]
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[Off-Broadway, 2007]
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[Broadway, 2006]
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[Off-Broadway, 2006]
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[Off-Broadway, 2006]
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[Off-Broadway, 2006]
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[Off-Broadway, 2006]
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[Off-Broadway, 2005]
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[New York, 2005]
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[Off-Broadway, 2004]
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[Off-Broadway, 2004]
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[Broadway, 2003]
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[Off-Broadway, 2003]
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[Off-Broadway, 2003]
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[Off-Broadway, 2002]
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[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Artistic Associate
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
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[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Director/Choreographer
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[West End, 1998]
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[Broadway, 1996]
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[Off-Broadway, 1996]
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[Off-Broadway, 1993]
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[Off-Broadway, 1992]
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[Off-Broadway, 1991]
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[Off-Broadway, 1990]
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[Off-Broadway, 1990]
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[Broadway, 1987]
Assistant Director
 
[US Tour, 2008]
Director
 
[West End, 2008]
Director

Michael Greif Awards and Nominations

The Lortels - 2018 - Outstanding Director

Michael Greif, The Low Road


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2017 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen

The Lortels - 2015 - Outstanding Director

Michael GreifOur Lady of Kibeho

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif, Next to Normal

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif, Grey Gardens

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Michael Greif , Grey Gardens


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Director - Play

Michael Greif, Dogeaters


winner
Obie Awards - 2001 - Direction

Michael Greif, Dogeaters

The Lortels - 2001 - Outstanding Director

Michael Greif, Dogeaters


winner
Obie Awards - 1996 - Special Citations

Michael Greif, Rent

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif , Rent

Michael Greif Videos

Michael Greif News


Indie Rock Trio BETTY to Release New Single 'Pride' in May


BETTY – the award-winning Indie Rock trio of sisters Elizabeth and Amy Ziff and their bestie, Alyson Palmer who have been creating addictively melodic music for almost 40 years – will release their new anthem “Pride” as a single on Friday, May 17.

Interview: Lowell Native Maryann Plunkett Brings Real-Life Experience to THE NOTEBOOK: THE MUSICAL


Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett has played a wide range of roles in her Broadway career. The Lowell native’s latest, an elderly woman dealing with dementia, in “The Notebook: The Musical,” may be her most personal, however, as she recalls her own mother’s struggle with debilitating memory loss to bring her current character to life.

Video: Watch a New Music Video For 'Kaleidoscope' From HELL'S KITCHEN


An all new music video has been released for the original song 'Kaleidoscope' from the new Broadway musical, Hell's Kitchen. Check out the video here!

Video: & JULIET'S 'Romeo' Ben Walker Sings 'We Can't Be Friends'


Ben Walker, who currently stars as 'Romeo' in @AndJulietBway posted a stripped-down version of Ariana Grande's latest hit 'We Can't Be Friends' to his Instagram page. Watch in this video!

Audra McDonald to Return To Provincetown With Seth Rudetsky in May


Six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald will return to Provincetown with SiriusXM Radio star Seth Rudetsky as music director and host, this Memorial Day Weekend. Learn how to purchase tickets!

How Often are People Tony-Nominated for Different Shows in the Same Season?


This time, the reader question was: How often are people Tony Award-nominated for different shows in the same season?

Photo: First Look at HELL'S KITCHEN on Broadway


Performances are now underway for the Broadway premiere of the new musical Hell's Kitchen, which will officially open on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. Check out a first look photo here!

Video: The Cast of DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES Take Final Broadway Bow


The Broadway run of Days of Wine and Roses played its final performance last night, Sunday, March 31, following 25 previews and 73 regular performances. Check out a video of the cast taking their final bows!

THE NOTEBOOK on Broadway to Present Special Post-Show Event in April


The Notebook The Musical will present a special post-show event on Tuesday, April 2. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Video: Stars Walk the Opening Night Red Carpet for THE NOTEBOOK


In this video, stars align to celebrate opening night of the Notebook. BroadwayWorld was there to bring you interviews with Nicholas Sparks, Ingrid Michaelson, Will Chase, Vanessa Williams, Lilli Cooper, Corey Cott, McKenzie Kurtz and more.

Meet the Cast of MARY JANE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


The Broadway premiere of Mary Jane, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, starring Academy Award nominee & Critics Choice Award Winner Rachel McAdams, begins previews on Broadway tonight, Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Meet the cast of Mary Jane here!

DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES Plays Final Broadway Performance Today


The Broadway premiere of Days of Wine and Roses will play its final performance Sunday, March 31, following 25 previews and 73 regular performances, plus 84 performances off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company.

HELL'S KITCHEN to Offer $39 Tickets Through Digital Lottery & Rush


HELL’S KITCHEN on Broadway is launching a digital lottery and in-person rush. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets!

Meet the Cast of HELL'S KITCHEN, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


Hell's Kitchen, the new musical conceived by Alicia Keys, begins previews tonight, March 28, with an opening night set for Saturday, April 20 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. Meet the cast of Hell's Kitchen here!

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: HELL'S KITCHEN Performs 'Kaleidoscope' on THE TONIGHT SHOW


Watch the cast of HELL'S KITCHEN perform 'Kaleidoscope' on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in the video here!

Broadway Buying Guide: March 18, 2024- THE WHO'S TOMMY Tops the Week


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 18, 2024.

HELL'S KITCHEN to Perform on THE TONIGHT SHOW This Week


Hell's Kitchen will be performing on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon this week. Alicia Keys and Maleah Joi Moon are set to appear on the Friday, March 22 episode for a special performance from the highly-anticipated musical. The performance will mark the musical's broadcast television debut.

Photos: Inside THE NOTEBOOK Opening Night Party


The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Following the show's opening, the cast celebrated the big night at an after party at Tavern on the Green. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration, and you can check out photos here!

Michael Greif FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Michael Greif been nominated for?

Michael Greif has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Director at The Lortels for "The Low Road" and "Our Lady of Kibeho," Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," and the Tony Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," "Next to Normal," and "Grey Gardens." He also received nominations for Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Grey Gardens," Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dogeaters," and Direction at the Obie Awards for "Dogeaters." Additionally, he received Special Citations at the Obie Awards for "Rent" and won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for "Rent."

What awards has Michael Greif won?

Michael Greif has won the Best Direction of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Dear Evan Hansen, Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Dogeaters, Direction at the Obie Awards for Dogeaters, and Special Citations at the Obie Awards for Rent.

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