5 Shows Michael Arden Should Direct

I have seen post upon post upon post about a revival of Ragtime, especially in this political climate. If there is a person who can keep the artistry, the heart and the message across in Ragtime it is Michael Arden. He has already worked with Ahrens and Flaherty before for his revival of Once on this Island, so this would be appropriate!

The 2nd entry in the Lapine-Sondheim trilogy is one of the most popular musicals among the theatre community and is often hailed as Sondheim's greatest show. Arden would be able to keep the message in tact and would be able to make sure that the more supernatural moments of the show, like the arrival of the Giant and Little Red getting eaten by the wolf, would seem plausible and exciting!

Now Arden's two shows on Broadway, Spring Awakening and Once on this Island, aren't the most "humourous" if you will. Well Urinetown is and it would be great if Arden directed it. It is very Broadway and he would not let the satire overshadow what the show is even satirising. he even has the chance to get a really good choreographer to do the dancing for this show!

The show that I would argue introduced Broadway to explicitly dark themes, needs a new coat of paint. The last production of Cabaret on Broadway was the same as the 1998 revival (except for a few cast changes). Arden's experience with his last show, Once on this Island, means he has been able to use a meta execution effectively and, like I said in the last 3 posts, he wouldn't let the message go to waste!

A Chorus Line already seems perfect the way it is, but I don't care I want something new and if there is any one who can "make it new" it is Michael Arden. He would focus on the characters a lot more and would tiny details to make the story more impactful!