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Michael Rader

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Michael Rader BIO

Michael Rader is a director, artistic director and arts consultant based in New York City who made his mark internationally as an Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil. Most Recently, he served as the Artistic Director and then Producing Artistic Director for the historic Cape Playhouse where he was celebrated for leading the organization through a significant renaissance and securing the theatre's position in the American Theatre landscape. His diverse career in the arts has afforded him positions such as a Resident Director for Cirque du Soleil, Broadway Liaison and Arts Education Consultant to the New York City Department of Education and Director of Entertainment for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

Select additional highlights as a director or associate include: A Christmas Story; The Musical (National Tour), Stalking The Bogeyman (NYTimes Critics Pick, Outer Critics Circle Nomination), Varekai (Cirque Du Soleil), The Testament of Mary, Deep Love (NYMF 2015), A Christmas Carol (National Tour), Mandela! with Norm Lewis, You are Not Alone with Betty Buckley and Lea DeLaria, and productions with Sacramento Music Circus, The ZACH Theatre, The York Theatre Company, The Actors Studio Repertory Theatre, The Human Race Theatre, The Dramatist Guild, The Huron Playhouse, The Forestburgh Playhouse, Joe's Pub and the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway benefit production of William Finn's Elegies: A Song Cycle. Michael's direction of the show, benefiting marriage equality, was acclaimed as "…profound and visionary".

Michael Rader Productions

 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]

Michael Rader News


Theatre Aspen Unveils Recipients of the 2023 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund Grant


Theatre Aspen has announced the recipients of the 2023 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund Grant. Discover the artists and productions that have been selected for this prestigious grant, supporting and recognizing their exceptional talent and creativity.

Photos: First Look at Jeff Hiller in THE EXHIBITIONIST at Theatre Aspen's Solo Flights


The Exhibitionist was recently performed as part of Theatre Aspen's Solo Flights. Written by James Hindman and directed by Michael Rader, the production starred Jeff Hiller. Learn more about the show and check out photos here!

Phylicia Rashad Joins Theatre Aspen's 2023 Solo Flights Festival


Tickets are on sale for the 2023 Solo Flights Festival at Theatre Aspen featuring works and performances starring Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, HBO's Somebody Somewhere's Jeff Hiller, two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey, principal American Ballet Theatre dancer James Whiteside, four-time Academy Award-nominated actress and director Marsha Mason, and a work by Golden Globe and NAACP Award-winning playwright, actor and director Regina Taylor which will be directed by Tony Award and Drama Desk Award-nominated actress Phylicia Rashad from September 7-14 at Theatre Aspen's Hurst Theatre.

Theatre Aspen To Present Works Starring Judith Ivey, Bryce Pinkham And More For 2023 SOLO FLIGHTS FESTIVAL


Today, Theatre Aspen has announced tickets are on sale for the 2023 Solo Flights Festival featuring works and performances starring Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, HBO's Somebody Somewhere's Jeff Hiller, two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey, principal American Ballet Theatre dancer James Whiteside, four-time Academy Award-nominated actress and director Marsha Mason, and  Golden Globe and NAACP Award-winning playwright, actor and director Regina Taylor from September 7-14 at Theatre Aspen's Hurst Theatre.

World Premiere of ST. SEBASTIAN By Andrew Kramer to be Presented at The Den Theatre in September


Refracted Theatre Company is launching its inaugural Chicago season with the world premiere of Andrew Kramer’s dark comedy St. Sebastian, directed by Artistic Director Graham Miller. This three-hander about a queer white couple that moves into a historically Black neighborhood will be presented September 15 – October 2, 2022 at The Den Theatre.

Refracted Theatre Company Announces Inaugural Chicago Season


Refracted Theatre Company has announced its inaugural Chicago season, featuring a launch event, a world premiere production and a new play development initiative. Refracted is dedicated to curating experiences where curiosity is rewarded with the unexpected, and an open heart is met with a colorful display of what it means to be human.

Tony Award-Winning Producer David Elliott Joins Cape Playhouse as Artistic Director


The Cape Cod Center for the Arts, which owns and operates the historic Cape Playhouse, is welcoming Tony Award-winning producer David Elliott as its new Artistic Director. He replaces Michael Rader, who returned to New York City last spring to pursue other directing and producing opportunities.

Cast and Dates Announced for 2021 National Tour of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL


Returning for the 2021 holiday season, Big League Productions, Inc. has announced the tour dates and cast of the critically acclaimed national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical. The tour will open for preview performances in Waterbury, CT, followed by a two-week sit down in Boston, and engagements in Baltimore and Durham, NC.

A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL Premieres at DPAC in December


From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the critically-acclaimed films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage at DPAC December 28, 2021, through January 2, 2022, as part of Truist Broadway's new season.

A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL Coming To The Hippodrome This December


From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the critically-acclaimed films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, A Christmas Story, The Musical, brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center December 21-23, 2021.

BWW PREVIEW: 2020 Summer Stages Regional Theatre Opportunities


Jess here. Happy 2020! And just like that, we've turned the page to not only a new year, but to a new decade. Now begins an advanced semester of classes, spring audition prep and... Summer Stage Theatre season announcements!

A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical Kicks Off The Broadway On Tour 2019-20 Season At Memorial Auditorium


For the sixth­ holiday season, Big League Productions brings their critically acclaimed national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical, to eight cities across the U.S., opening in Sacramento, CA on November 8, 2019, and running through November 17. The heart-warming TONY-nominated Broadway musical brings the classic holiday film vibrantly to life on stage by expanding the movie's iconic moments with breathtaking choreography and joyous songs. It's the first Broadway On Tour presentation in the newly-renovated Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street in Sacramento, home for Broadway On Tour while Community Center Theater is being renovated.

A CHRISTMAS STORY 2019 National Tour Announces Dates And Cast


For the sixth­ holiday season, Big League Productions' brings their critically acclaimed national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical, to eight cities across the U.S., opening in Sacramento, CA on November 8, 2019.

The Cape Playhouse Announces 2020 Season With New September Addition


The Cape Playhouse at the Cape Cod Center for The Arts, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Rader and Executive Producer Joe Grandy, announces the lineup for its 94th Summer Season in 2020, which includes an additional 7th production in September.

Global Roundup 6/28 - Dove Cameron THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Broadway-Bound TEA AT FIVE, Andrew Keenan-Bolger LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and More!


BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Dove Cameron THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Broadway-Bound TEA AT FIVE, Andrew Keenan-Bolger LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and More!

Photo Flash: Get a First Look at LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS At The Cape Playhouse


It's time to head down to Skid Row because we've got a first look at the Cape Playhouse's new production of Little Shop of Horrors starring Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Lauren Zakrin! Check out all the photos!

Full Casting For Cape Playhouse's ONCE Directed By Hunter Foster


The Cape Playhouse at the Cape Cod Center for the Arts, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Rader and Executive Producer Joe Grandy, announce complete casting for The Cape Playhouse's upcoming production of the Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Olivier award winning musical Once.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS' Andrew Keenan-Bolger Takes Over Instagram Today!


We're heading somewhere that's green today, June 26th, because Andrew Keenan-Bolger is taking over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story for opening night of the Cape Playhouse's Little Shop of Horrors! Be sure to tune in throughout the day to get a behind-the-scenes look at this production of the classic show! You're not gonna want to miss this trip to Skid Row!

Photo Flash: The Cape Playhouse Opens THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST


The Cape Playhouse at the Cape Cod Center for The Arts, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Rader and Executive Producer Joe Grandy, opened its 93rd season last night with Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Matt Lenz.

Cape Playhouse Opens Season With THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Starring Edward Hibbert


The Cape Playhouse at the Cape Cod Center for The Arts, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Rader and Executive Producer Joe Grandy, announces the opening of the 2019 summer season with The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Matt Lenz, from June 12 through June 22.

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