Question about Michael Arden

[jboy1]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 12:43pm

I just watched the video preview for The Times...(weird...) Why hasn't Michael Arden done more shows on Broadway? He's praised all over the place and that's the first time I've heard him sing and he's amazing. Get that boy a show (something a little more normal).

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 12:48pm

He's fairly young and hasn't been at it that long. He has done stuff Off-Broadway and workshops, a couple TV guest appearances and some regional work. Give him time he's only 24, he is on his way.

[zepka102]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 3:21pm

Times They Are a Changin may not last long (but you never know), but Mike is definitely gonna be around for a long time... I hope more people get to see this amazing talent

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 3:27pm

Oh Zep, you would :-P

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 3:28pm

Johnny beat me to saying that.

[zepka102]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 3:37pm

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat... i didn't do anything wrong!

[jaesdare]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:23pm

i got to see a video of him as charlie brown or linus (i forget) in Snoopy, because he went to my highschool. he has always been really great. and he was also a presidential scholar in the arts.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:29pm

he's done a TON of work, considering his age.

also, exact number of Broadway shows doesn't precisely reflect how much work one has done. he's done so many solo concerts and benefits and significant regional theatre work... as well as TV, and of course BARE!

long live "bare"!!! *tears*

i agree, he's 24, he's on his way. if he doesn't win a Tony in the next 10 years, i will eat my hat.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:29pm

I was lucky enough to see him in "Bare - A Pop Opera". Such a shame that the show wasn't able to transfer and never got fully recorded. He was wonderful. And I fell totally in love with him!!!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:32pm

"bare" is still one of my favorite theatre experiences ever... damn dodgers

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:37pm

His Broadway credits are not many, but he has done a good amount of work considering his age. Lots of workshops, musicals/plays off-broadway, and stuff in LA.

He will definitely become more noticed soon.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:37pm

He's incredibly talented and I hope he gets a really good show for himself. And I would love to see some good things happen with "Easter Rising" if writing improves.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 5:51pm

I was at the EASTER RISING reading with Kerry Butler, Steven Pasquale, Colin Hanlon, and Michael a few years ago, and it's truly a beautiful story. I look forward to seeing future incarnations of the show. Michael is also working on a musical version of THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, which I heard a song from at Michael's concert a few years ago at Opia - and it was gorgeous.

The boy can sing, dance, act, write, and compose. He has a *very* bright future ahead of him.

Updated On: 10/27/06 at 05:51 PM

[Trish2]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 6:07pm

I thought he was just fine in TIMES, but not one reviewer of the major papers really went off on him in a "star making" turn kind of thing. I mean, the NY Times barely said much about him considering he carries the show on his shoulders. It's interesting noting that his staunch following thinks he's the next big thing.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 6:55pm

It's just one job, Trish. Many of us have been following his work for years. I first saw him perform in BIG RIVER on Broadway, and have seen him in many, many New York appearances since. We're not basing his glowing future on his role in THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' alone. Most critics said that the performers did their best with what they were given by Twyla (which was very little). The critics focused the blame on Twyla. And regardless, as I said, this is just one job. He has had MANY before it.

Updated On: 10/27/06 at 06:55 PM

[giddyup]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 7:27am

Someone said a few weeks ago that he's going to be Norville in the Hudsucker Proxy. He is absolutely perfect.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 8:12am

Believe me, he's off to an amazing start considering he's like 10 years old. If he keeps at it and doesn't do anything crazy to threaten his talent, health, or career, he'll do quite well in the coming years or decades of musical theatre. Everyone winds up doing some crap shows, but TIMES will be a memory soon enough and Arden's stock is only rising with each new project.

I don't know if Hudsucker is going to make a great musical, but I did see Michael perform 2 songs from the show during last year's NYMF concert. He is great for the part and it'd be nice if Stephen Weiner could finally have a prominent show and get some more recognition for his talent. IRON CURTAIN was the best musical this year. But I digress, the point is- Michael Arden has enormous potential.

[giddyup]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:40am

Wow, I didn't realize Weiner is writing Hudsucker. You're right, long time coming for him. I actually know his daughters, both CCMers, both immensely talented. HIs oldest one, Marla, just graduated. It won't be too long before she's on the boards.
But, right, back to Arden. Perfect for Norville. Actually, Weiner's daughter could do Amy. She's got the voice, looks, a bit tough like Amy. I could see that.

[FosterChild]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 9:17am

While I agree he was great in Big River, I disagree with Wanna Be a Foster that it doesn't matter that he didn't get raves for basically, helming a show. This was his big starring role and yes while the show is troubling, he shouldn't have and was not positioned to get lumped in with the "whole cast doing it's best to rise above the material".That's more on him. He is young and he does have alot of time to build a career but I'm not sure he's ready to carry a show. A few more great featured roles would serve him better.

[DG]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 9:51am

Foster - here in LA, even though it was only a Reprise production, he WAS the reason to go see PIPPIN. He very naturally and easily brought the focus of the evening onto him - which is saying something, since many in the audience walked in predisposed to focus on the Leading Player (thanks to Mr. Fosse and Mr. Vereen.)