Michael Arden won the 2025 Tony for Best Direction of a Musical at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall June 8.
Arden won for his direction of the new musical Maybe Happy Ending, which was nominated for ten Tony Awards, the most of any production of the season (tying with Buena Vista Social Club and Death Becomes Her).
"Please go to the theatre, whether it鈥檚 a Broadway show or a school play," implored Arden while accepting the award. "Support the arts. Support artists. We need you now more than ever. Maybe Happy Ending was a monumental risk so many people took. So to everyone in this community and artists, I say, keep taking risks. Keep telling stories that probe for deeper truths that inspire hope. Because the darker it gets, the more we need your light. As Daddy Sondheim said, 'Give us more to see.' And if there are any queer people watching tonight. Happy Pride.鈥�
Others in the category included Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club), David Cromer (Dead Outlaw), Christopher Gattelli (Death Becomes Her), and Jamie Lloyd (Sunset Blvd.)
Maybe Happy Ending features Helen J Shen and Darren Criss starring as, respectively, Claire and Oliver, South Korea-based Helperbots that have been deemed obsolete. The pair form an unlikely bond, setting off a surprising and romantic adventure. The music is by Will Aronson with lyrics by Hue Park and a book by Park and Aronson.
Arden previously won a Tony in 2023 for Best Direction of a Musical for the Ben Platt-led revival of Parade; he also picked up a producing Tony that same year for the Jason Robert Brown musical. The actor-director was previously nominated for his direction of the revivals of Spring Awakening and Once On This Island.
This season he is also nominated for producing Maybe Happy Ending and the Sunset Blvd. revival.
READ: How to Watch and Stream the 2025 Tony Awards With or Without Cable
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Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen in Maybe Happy Ending
Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
Helen J Shen and Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
