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Michael Arden

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Michael Arden
Arden in 2025
Born
Michael Jerrod Moore

(1982-10-06) October 6, 1982 (age 42)
Midland, Texas, U.S.
EducationJuilliard School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • theatre director
Years active2003–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2016)​

Michael Jerrod Moore (born October 6, 1982), known professionally as Michael Arden, is an American actor and theatre director. Arden has received two Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Musical, winning for the revival of the musical Parade in 2023 and Maybe Happy Ending in 2025.

Early life

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Arden described his upbringing as "rocky."[1] He was born to a very young mother who struggled with drugs and alcohol and his father died by suicide when Arden was around 2 years old. Arden went on to live with his grandparents, Pat and Jim Moore, in Midland, Texas from the 5th grade onwards.[1][2] Starting in the 5th grade, he was a student at Trinity School, a college preparatory school in Midland.[2] He was bullied in his youth for being gay.[3]

Arden's interest in acting began when he was four years old and his grandparents took him to see Sesame Street Live. He was active in the Pickwick Players, Midland Community Theatre's youth performing company.[4][2] He also built theatrical sets in his grandparents' garage.[5] A Presidential Scholar in the arts, he received a scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy as a theater student, where he graduated in 2001.[6][7] He was accepted on a full scholarship[8] to the Juilliard School, where he was in the Drama Division's Group 34 (2001–2005).[9] He left Juilliard in 2003 to join the Broadway revival company of the musical Big River.[10]

Career

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Theatre

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Arden made his Broadway debut as Tom Sawyer in the 2003 Roundabout and Deaf West revival of Big River.[11] He also starred opposite John Hill in the 2004 off-Broadway show Bare, a Pop Opera.[12] In summer 2005, he played Nick, a sexually promiscuous gay man in love with a shark, in Adam Bock's surreal play Swimming in the Shallows at New York's Second Stage Theatre[13]. He played the title character in Pippin for the World AIDS Day Broadway benefit concert in November 2004.[14] He starred in the Twyla Tharp musical The Times They Are A-Changin', based on the music of Bob Dylan,[15] which ran January 25 to March 5, 2006, at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California and then on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre from October 26 to November 19, 2006.[16]

Arden performing with the cast of The Times They Are a-Changin' in 2006 at a Broadway on Broadway concert.

In 2007, he starred as John Robert in Ace at the Old Globe Theatre from January 13 to February 18.[17] In the summer of 2007, he toured Europe with Barbra Streisand as one of her "Broadway Boys."[10][1] From July to September 2010, he played the lead role in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.[18][19][20]

Arden's regional theatre credits include Pippin,[21] God of Vengeance, Falsettoland, Tom Jones' Harold and Maude, West Side Story, Songs for a New World, The Common Pursuit, and The Winter's Tale.[22]

Beginning in October 2014, Arden played the role of Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame musical at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse.[23][24] The production ran from October 26 to December 7, 2014, and at Paper Mill Playhouse from March 4 to April 5, 2015.[25]

Arden directed Deaf West Theatre's acclaimed Broadway revival of Spring Awakening. The production featured a cast made up of both deaf and hearing actors, performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and English. The production began in at Inner City Arts in Los Angeles in September 2014,[26] transferred to the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills in May 2015, and finally transferred to Broadway, where it began previews September 8, 2015, and opened on September 27, 2015, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.[27] On May 3, 2016, Arden received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for his work on the Spring Awakening revival.[28]

Arden went on to direct the musical My Fair Lady at the Bay Street Theater in Southampton, New York in August 2016.[29] He then returned as the first artist-in-residence at the Wallis Annenberg Center, where he directed productions of The Pride and Merrily We Roll Along,[30] the latter of which earned him a 2017 Ovation Awards nomination for Best Director of a Musical.[31]

Arden directed the first Broadway revival of Once on This Island, which began previews on November 9, 2017, and opened on December 3 at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where it ran until January 6, 2019.[32] The acclaimed revival was nominated for seven Drama Desk Awards[33] and eight Tony Awards, including a second Best Director Tony nomination for Arden.[34]

Arden directed Annie at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2018 for the venue's annual summer musical production.[35] Following this, Arden was directed Jefferson Mays in his one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse beginning October 2018.[36] Arden directed the American premiere of Maybe Happy Ending at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta in January 2020.[37] In November 2022, Arden directed a production of Jason Robert Brown's Parade for New York City Center's 2022 gala.[38] The production transferred to Broadway in March 2023.[39] This production won Arden the 2023 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical.[3] Arden directed the Broadway premiere of Maybe Happy Ending, which opened in fall 2024 at the Belasco Theatre.[40] He won a Tony Award for Best Director for the show.[41]

Television

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He has appeared on ABC's Grey's Anatomy (in the episode "17 Seconds" as Neal Hannigan) and in NUMB3RS for CBS.[42][43] He was cast in the Fox show The Return of Jezebel James, which cancelled after three episodes in the spring of 2008.[44] Arden had a recurring role in the NBC series Kings as Joseph.[45] He also guest starred in an episode of The Closer as well as guest starring in an episode of Bones.[46][47] In August 2011, Arden was cast in a recurring role on The Good Wife.[48] He had a regular role in the FX series Anger Management.[49]

Film

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Arden featured in Colin Spoelman's independent film The Cave Movie (2009).[50] He also acted in the 2011 movie Source Code and appeared as Kevin in the film Bride Wars.[51][52]

Composing and writing

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As a composer, Arden has written several works, including Easter Rising,[53] As You Like It,[54] and Ripley.[55]

Personal life

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Arden is gay.[56] He got engaged to fellow actor Andy Mientus on June 23, 2014. He and Mientus had both planned proposals to each other the same day without the other knowing.[57] They married on August 18, 2016, at Babington House, Somerset, England.[58] They have been together since 2011. The two first met in 2006 during the opening night party of the Broadway show The Times They Are-a-Changin', in which Arden was a performer.[57]

Theater credits

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Acting
Year Production Role Category
2003 Big River Tom Sawyer Broadway
2004 Bare Peter Off-Broadway
Pippin Pippin New York (concert)
2005 Regional (concert)
Swimming in the Shallows Nick Off-Broadway
The Secret Garden Dickon New York (concert)
2006 The Times They Are A-Changin' Coyote Regional
Broadway
2007 Ace John Robert Regional
2010 Aspects of Love Alex Dillingham Off-West End
2013 Ragtime Younger Brother New York (concert)
2014–2015 The Hunchback of Notre Dame Quasimodo Regional
2019 King Lear Aide to Cornwall Broadway
Directing
Year Production Credit Category
2008 A Tale of Two Cities Assistant Director Broadway
2014–2015 Spring Awakening Director Los Angeles (Deaf West Theatre)
2015–2016 Broadway
2016 My Fair Lady Director Regional
2016 Merrily We Roll Along Director Los Angeles
2017 The Pride Director Los Angeles
2017–2019 Once on This Island Director Broadway
2018 Annie Director Los Angeles
2018 A Christmas Carol Director Los Angeles
2020 Maybe Happy Ending Director Atlanta
2022–2023 A Christmas Carol Director Broadway
2022 Parade Director New York City Center
2023 Broadway
2024 The Queen of Versailles Director Boston
2024 Maybe Happy Ending Director Broadway
2025 The Queen of Versailles Director Broadway

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 The Good Shepherd Pinafore Actor
2009 Bride Wars Kevin
2009 The Cave Movie Sam
2011 Nurse Jackée Gabe Short film
2011 Source Code Derek Frost
2012 The Odd Life of Timothy Green Doug Wert
2016 So B. It Elliot

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 Numb3rs Whitley Episode: "Backscatter"
2006 Grey's Anatomy Neal Hannigan Episode: "17 Seconds"
2008 Cashmere Mafia Denis Episode: "Dog Eat Dog"
2008 The Return of Jezebel James Buddy 3 episodes
2009 Bones Harold Prescott Episode: "The Bond in the Boot"
2009 The Closer James Clark Episode: "Identity Theft"
2009 Kings Joseph Lasile 3 episodes
2010 The Forgotten James Poole Episode: "Mama Jane"
2011 The Good Wife Finn Episode: "Get a Room"
2011 Off the Map Pher 2 episodes
2011 Unforgettable Joe Williams Episode: "Lost Things"
2012–2014 Anger Management Patrick Main cast
2012 GCB Reverend Steve Stewart 2 episodes
2012 The Mentalist Evan Kress Episode: "War of the Roses"
2012 Nurse Jackie Gabe Episode: "Slow Growing Monsters"
2012 Royal Pains Homer Episode: "Some Pig"
2019 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Milken Prince 3 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result
2015 Ovation Awards Direction of a Musical Spring Awakening Won
2016 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Won
2018 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Once on This Island Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Nominated
2023 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Parade Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Won
2025 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Maybe Happy Ending Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Won
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Won
Drama League Awards Outstanding Direction of a Musical Won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Fung, Lisa (November 28, 2016). "Michael Arden, man of the moment in L.A. theater, stages a revival of a famously 'troubled' musical". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Michael Arden '01". Trinity School of Midland. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Stevens, Matt (June 12, 2023). "Michael Arden Wins Best Direction of a Musical, Drawing Cheers for Calling Out Homophobic Slur". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Wong, Wayman (April 1, 2004). "THE LEADING MEN: Candor and Ebb". Playbill.
  5. ^ "Interview with Deaf West's director for SPRING AWAKENING, Michael Arden". The Playbill Collector. Archived from the original on September 27, 2014.
  6. ^ "Interlochen alumni light up Broadway". Interlochen Center for the Arts. February 22, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  7. ^ Harris, Abigail (December 8, 2018). "Interview with Michael Arden". The Theatre Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019.
  8. ^ Temple, Georgia (October 20, 2010). "Broadway singer, actor comes home for performance". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  9. ^ "September 2007". Juilliard School. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011.
  10. ^ a b Nondorf, Tom (July 2, 2007). "THE LEADING MEN: Streisand's 'Boys' — Arden, Lockyer, McDermott and Panaro". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  11. ^ Murray, Matthew (July 24, 2003). "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "History". Bare. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "Swimming in the Shallows". TheaterMania.com. June 29, 2005. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  14. ^ Lenzi, Linda (November 30, 2004). "Photos: Pippin World AIDS Day Benefit Concert". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  15. ^ Brantley, Ben (October 27, 2006). "The Times They Are A-Changin' - Theater - Review". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  16. ^ Sheffield, Rob (November 30, 2006). "Bob Dylan Musical: The Times They Are A-Endin'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  17. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 13, 2007). "New Musical Ace, With Michael Arden, Begins Old Globe Run Jan. 13". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  18. ^ Blank, Matthew (August 10, 2010). "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Aspects of Love Star Michael Arden". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  19. ^ Billington, Michael (July 16, 2010). "Aspects of Love - Theatre review". The Guardian. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  20. ^ Benedict, David (July 19, 2010). "Aspects of Love". Variety (magazine). Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  21. ^ McNulty, Charles (January 26, 2009). "Review: "Pippin" at the Mark Taper Forum". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  22. ^ Jones, Kenneth (July 24, 2004). "Bare's Michael Arden Sings Pop and Theatre Songs in Aug. 15 Concert in NYC". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  23. ^ "A First Look at La Jolla Playhouse's Hunchback of Notre Dame, Starring Michael Arden and Patrick Page". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  24. ^ Charles McNulty (November 14, 2014). "'Hunchback of Notre Dame' at La Jolla has identity crisis". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Isherwood, Charles (March 18, 2015). "Review: 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' at Paper Mill Playhouse". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  26. ^ Hetrick, Adam; Gans, Andrew (September 22, 2014). "Deaf West Theatre's Immersive Spring Awakening, Directed by Michael Arden, Extends". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  27. ^ "Spring Awakening". Broadway.com.
  28. ^ Ng, David (May 3, 2016). "'Spring Awakening' and Deaf West's unlikely road to three Tony nominations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  29. ^ "Michael Arden Will Direct My Fair Lady This Summer". Playbill. February 26, 2016.
  30. ^ Ng, David (May 11, 2016). "Wallis 2016-17 season to feature Simon McBurney, Peter Brook, plus 'Merrily We Roll Along'". Los Angeles Times.
  31. ^ Hetrick, Adam (November 2, 2017). "Michael Arden, Carmen Cusack, Merrily We Roll Along Earn L.A. Ovation Award Nominations". Playbill.
  32. ^ Clement, Olivia (August 8, 2017). "Lea Salonga, Alex Newell, and More Join Once On This Island on Broadway". Playbill.
  33. ^ McPhee, Ryan (April 26, 2018). "Carousel, SpongeBob SquarePants, Mean Girls Lead 2018 Drama Desk Award Nominations". Playbill.
  34. ^ Libbey, Peter (May 2018). "Tony Awards 2018: Full List of Nominations". The New York Times.
  35. ^ Gans, Andrew (February 21, 2018). "Michael Arden Will Direct Annie at the Hollywood Bowl". Playbill.
  36. ^ "Michael Arden to Direct Jefferson Mays in One-Man A Christmas Carol". TheaterMania.com. June 7, 2018.
  37. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 27, 2019). "Jerry Mitchell and Michael Arden Will Helm New Musicals During Alliance Theatre's 51st Season". Playbill.
  38. ^ "Parade". Playbill. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  39. ^ Shaw, Helen (March 16, 2023). "History Repeats Itself in the Broadway Revival of "Parade"". The New Yorker. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Huston, Caitlin (May 14, 2024). "Darren Criss to Star in New Broadway Musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' This Fall". The Hollywood Reporter.
  41. ^ Dziemianowicz, Joe (June 9, 2025). "'Maybe Happy Ending' wins big at the 2025 Tony Awards". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  42. ^ "GREY'S ANATOMY: 17 SECONDS (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  43. ^ "Backscatter", Numb3rs, IMDb, May 5, 2006, retrieved June 12, 2025
  44. ^ "return of jezebel james, the on fox". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  45. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 24, 2009). "Michael Arden Will Make First Appearance on NBC's "Kings" March 29". Playbill.
  46. ^ "Bones" The Bond in the Boot (TV Episode 2009) - Michael Arden as Harold Prescott. IMDb. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  47. ^ "The Closer" Identity Theft (TV Episode 2009) - Full cast & crew. IMDb. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  48. ^ Anderson-Minshall, Diane (August 17, 2011). "The Good Wifes Gay Gets a Guy". Advocate. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  49. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 14, 2012). "Michael Arden Joins 'Anger Management', Echo Kellum Cast In 'Ben Fox Is My Manny'". Deadline. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  50. ^ The Cave Movie, IMDb, retrieved June 12, 2025
  51. ^ Simmons, Leslie (April 13, 2008). "Kristen Johnston cast in 'Bride Wars'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  52. ^ Burr, Ty (January 9, 2009). "Bride Wars". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  53. ^ Gans, Andrew (December 21, 2004). "Easter Rises at Joe's Pub — with Arden, Butler and Pasquale — Dec. 21". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  54. ^ Blank, Matthew (August 10, 2010). "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Aspects of Love Star Michael Arden". Playbill.
  55. ^ Lester, Rob (May 2, 2005). "Michael Arden at Joe's Pub". Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  56. ^ Wong, Curtis (August 10, 2012). "Michael Arden Dishes His Upcoming NYC Gig, Charlie Sheen And Barbra Streisand". HuffPost.
  57. ^ a b Steinbach, Jesse (August 19, 2016). "Love Rings OUT: Michael Arden & Andy Mientus". Out. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  58. ^ "And Then They Were One: Andy Mientus & Michael Arden Wed In England". Broadway.com. August 18, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
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