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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

Hell's KitchenHell's Kitchen
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
The NotebookThe Notebook
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Co-Director
Days of Wine and RosesDays of Wine and Roses
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
Hell's KitchenHell's Kitchen
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
The NotebookThe Notebook
 
[Chicago, 2022]
Director
Dear Evan HansenDear Evan Hansen
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
Dear Evan HansenDear Evan Hansen
 
[West End, 2021]
Director
Next to NormalNext to Normal
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2020]
Director
Make BelieveMake Believe
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
Dear Evan HansenDear Evan Hansen
 
[Toronto, 2019]
Director
The Low RoadThe Low Road
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
A ParallelogramA Parallelogram
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
War PaintWar Paint
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
War PaintWar Paint
 
[Chicago, 2016]
Director
Dear Evan HansenDear Evan Hansen
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
If/ThenIf/Then
 
[US Tour, 2015]
Director
Dear Evan HansenDear Evan Hansen
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2015]
Director
The TempestThe Tempest
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
If/ThenIf/Then
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Director
Far From HeavenFar From Heaven
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Director
GiantGiant
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Director
RentRent
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Director
Next to NormalNext to Normal
 
[US Tour, 2010]
Director
Angels in America: PerestroikaAngels in America: Perestroika
 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Director
Angels in America: Millennium ApproachesAngels in America: Millennium Approaches
 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Director
The Winter's TaleThe Winter's Tale
 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Director
Next to NormalNext to Normal
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
RentRent
 
[US Tour, 2009]
Director
Boys' Life
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Director
next to normal
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Director
Director
Romeo and Juliet
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
A Very Common Procedure
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
Grey GardensGrey Gardens
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
Satellites
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Landscape of the Body
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Grey Gardens
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Director
Beauty of the Father
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Mr. Marmalade
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
Grey Gardens
 
[New York, 2005]
Director
Spatter Pattern (Or, How I Got Away With It)
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
The Distance From Here
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
Never Gonna DanceNever Gonna Dance
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
Cavedweller
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
F-ing A
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
Betty Rules
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
Play Yourself
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Artistic Associate
A Few Stout Individuals
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
Monster
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Director
Everything That Rises Must Converge
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Producer
First Love
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Producer
Dogeaters
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Director
Bright Lights, Big City
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Director/Choreographer
Director
Rent
 
[West End, 1998]
Director
RentRent
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Director
Rent
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Director
Director
Marisol
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Director
Spike Heels
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Director
Pericles
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Director
A Bright Room Called Day
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
Machinal
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
Sleight of Hand
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Assistant Director
Grey Gardens
 
[US Tour, 2008]
Director
Grey Gardens
 
[West End, 2008]
Director

Michael Greif Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Michael Greif, Days of Wine and Roses

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Greif, Hell's Kitchen

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

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Michael Greif News


Listen: HELL'S KITCHEN Cast Recording is Available Now; Watch a Music Video For 'If I Photo
Listen: HELL'S KITCHEN Cast Recording is Available Now; Watch a Music Video For 'If I Ain't Got You'

The original Broadway cast recording for HELL’S KITCHEN is now available on all streaming platforms! Listen to the album here and watch an all new music video!
Photos: Inside Opening Night of Second Stage's BREAKING THE STORY Photo
Photos: Inside Opening Night of Second Stage's BREAKING THE STORY

Second Stage Theater just celebrated opening night for the world premiere of Alexis Scheer's BREAKING THE STORY, directed by Jo Bonney. Check out photos from inside the big night!
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dori Photo
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Awards

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics honored ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and OH, MARY! at the Dorian Theater Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway for 2023-24.
Listen: Ingrid Michaelson Shares Early Draft of 'My Days' From THE NOTEBOOK The Music Photo
Listen: Ingrid Michaelson Shares Early Draft of 'My Days' From THE NOTEBOOK The Musical

Ingrid Michaelson has taken to TikTok to share an early draft of the song My Days from The Notebook The Musical. Listen to the clip here!
Watch: HELL'S KITCHEN Debuts 'No One' Music Video and Four Singles From Cast Recordin Photo
Watch: HELL'S KITCHEN Debuts 'No One' Music Video and Four Singles From Cast Recording

Watch the music video for 'No One' from Hell's Kitchen on Broadway!
Video: Shoshana Bean and Maleah Joi Moon in the Official Music Video For 'No One' Fro Photo
Video: Shoshana Bean and Maleah Joi Moon in the Official Music Video For 'No One' From HELL'S KITCHEN

An all new music video has been released for the song 'No One' from the Broadway musical Hell's Kitchen, featuring Shoshana Bean & Maleah Joi Moon. Check out the video here!
Video: Director Michael Greif Discusses Having Three Shows on Broadway This Season Photo
Video: Director Michael Greif Discusses Having Three Shows on Broadway This Season

Director Michael Greif recently stopped by GM3 to discuss some of his latest projects, including the musical Hell's Kitchen which was nominated for a whopping 13 Tony Awards, tying with Stereophonic as the most this season. Throughout his prestigious career, Grief has been nominated for Best Direction of a Musical four times before scoring his fifth nomination for Hell's Kitchen. Watch the full interview!
Bebe Neuwirth, Huey Lewis, Jeremy Jordan, and More Set for 2024 Broadway Teachers Wor Photo
Bebe Neuwirth, Huey Lewis, Jeremy Jordan, and More Set for 2024 Broadway Teachers Workshop

Celebrating its 24th year, the Broadway Teachers Workshop is an enormously popular three-day series of interactive workshops and seminars with prominent Broadway artists, tickets to four (4) hit shows, and post-show discussions with cast and crew.
Photos: Sara Bareilles Visits Ingrid Michaelson at THE NOTEBOOK Photo
Photos: Sara Bareilles Visits Ingrid Michaelson at THE NOTEBOOK

The Schoenfeld Theatre just welcomed a very special guest! Sara Bareilles visited her pal Ingrid Michaelson at The Notebook and posed backstage with the cast afterwards. Check out photos here.
Photos: On the Red Carpet for the 2024 Chita Rivera Awards Photo
Photos: On the Red Carpet for the 2024 Chita Rivera Awards

The Broadway productions of Illinoise, The Outsiders, Water for Elephants and more were winners at this year's 2024 Chita Rivera Awards. Check out photos from the red carpet!
Photos: MCC Celebrates Opening Night of THE LONELY FEW Photo
Photos: MCC Celebrates Opening Night of THE LONELY FEW

MCC just celebrated opening night of The Lonely Few, a new musical with a book by Rachel Bonds, music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak, and directed by Trip Cullman and Ellenore Scott. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big day and you can check out photos here.
Indie Rock Trio BETTY Releases New Single 'Pride' Photo
Indie Rock Trio BETTY Releases New Single 'Pride'

BETTY – the trailblazing 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 – have released their invigorating new anthem “Pride” as a single. Their first new recording in seven years, this new track will be part of their upcoming 11th album EAT, scheduled to be released later this year. Listen to the new single now!
Kelli O'Hara & Brian d'Arcy James to Take Part in DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES Cast Album S Photo
Kelli O'Hara & Brian d'Arcy James to Take Part in DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES Cast Album Signing

Kelli O’Hara, Brian d’Arcy James, and composer Adam Guettel will celebrate the CD release of Days of Wine and Rose's original cast album with a signing at New York’s Drama Book Shop.
Shoshana Bean, Nikki M. James, Brody Grant & More Honor Michael Greif on ART OF KIND Photo
Shoshana Bean, Nikki M. James, Brody Grant & More Honor Michael Greif on ART OF KINDNESS Podcast

Tony-nominated stars Shoshana Bean, Nikki M. James, Brody Grant and more honored director Michael Greif on The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul podcast this week. 
Video: Joy Woods, Maryann Plunkett & More Perform 'I Wanna Go Back' from THE NOTEBOOK Photo
Video: Joy Woods, Maryann Plunkett & More Perform 'I Wanna Go Back' from THE NOTEBOOK

As part of TODAY's 'Best of Broadway Week,' writer Ingrid Michaelson and the cast of The Notebook stopped by the show on Thursday to perform songs from the newly Tony-nominated musical. Jordan Tyson, Joy Woods, Maryann Plunkett, and other members of the cast joined the stage to sing the highly emotional number 'I Wanna Go Back'. Watch the performance now!
Video: Watch the Cast of THE NOTEBOOK Perform a Medley of Songs on TODAY Photo
Video: Watch the Cast of THE NOTEBOOK Perform a Medley of Songs on TODAY

As part of TODAY's 'Best of Broadway Week,'  writer Ingrid Michaelson and the cast of The Notebook stopped by the show on Thursday to perform a medley of songs from the newly Tony-nominated musical. Before the performance, Michaelson and Tony nominees Maryann Plunkett and Dorian Harewood discussed the show with the hosts of the morning show. Watch the interview and performance here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 16, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 16, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 16, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Listen: SINGULAR SENSATION Releases Miniseries on the Making of RENT Photo
Listen: SINGULAR SENSATION Releases Miniseries on the Making of RENT

Broadway Podcast Network has released the second miniseries of the new podcast, “Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway,” hosted by journalist and Broadway columnist Michael Riedel. Listen now.
Photos: The New Dramatists Honor Michael Greif at Annual Luncheon Photo
Photos: The New Dramatists Honor Michael Greif at Annual Luncheon

The New Dramatists recently hosted its Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 14 at the New York Marriott Marquis. See photos from inside the event. 
Videos: Maleah Joi Moon and Shoshana Bean Perform 'No One' From HELL'S KITCHEN Photo
Videos: Maleah Joi Moon and Shoshana Bean Perform 'No One' From HELL'S KITCHEN

As part of TODAY's 'Best of Broadway Week,'  Maleah Joi Moon, Shoshana Bean, and more from the cast of Hell's Kitchen stopped by the morning show on Tuesday to discuss and perform from the newly Tony-nominated musical. During the segment, Maleah Joy Moon and Shoshana Bean performed the duet No One before dancing members of the ensemble joined them to conclude the number. Watch the performance and interview now!
More News

Michael Greif FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Michael Greif been nominated for?

Michael Greif has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Outstanding Direction of a Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Days of Wine and Roses," Best Direction of a Musical by the Tony Awards for "Hell's Kitchen," Outstanding Director by The Lortels for "The Low Road," Best Direction of a Musical by the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," Best Direction of a Musical by the Tony Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," Outstanding Director of a Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Dear Evan Hansen," and more. Greif has also received Special Citations by the Obie Awards for "Rent."

What awards has Michael Greif won?

Michael Greif has won several awards for his work in the theater world. These include 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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