Michael J. Moritz Jr.

Last updated
Michael J. Moritz Jr.
Michael J. Moritz Jr.jpg
Occupation(s)Theatrical Producer, Music Producer, Music Director, Pianist, Entertainment Entrepreneur
Website www.michaelmoritz.com

Michael J. Moritz Jr. is a Grammy Award nominee, [1] Tony Award winner, [2] an Emmy Award winner, American theatrical producer, record producer, music supervisor, music director, arranger, Broadway music supervisor, performer and pianist. [3] [4] Michael's work as a pianist, music director and arranger is featured on many recordings in the pop and musical theatre genres. [5] [6] Michael is on the Board of Directors for The Angel Band Project.

Contents

Early life

Michael is originally from Youngstown, Ohio.

Career

Most recently, Michael received the 2019 Tony Award for Best Musical as a co-producer for Broadway's Hadestown and the 2017 Emmy Award for Audio for his work on From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Orlando. He also received both TONY and Olivier award nominations as a co producer for Broadway/West End's Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Other notable Broadway producing credits include Big Fish, A Night With Janis Joplin, On The Town, and The Velocity of Autumn. [7] Michael has musically directed 200+ theatrical productions throughout the US and UK. Known as the ‘Musical Director to the Stars,’ Michael has received high praise for his music direction and performance piano work in both Broadway and Pop arenas. Michael was seen on the Broadway stage as on-stage piano and vocals in A Night With Janis Joplin. In 2017, Michael was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work as audio engineer for the DVD release of the show. [8] Michael has music directed, produced and performed with notable performers including Stephen Schwartz, Sara Bareilles, Carole King, Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, Sean Hayes, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Matthew Broderick, Andrea Martin, Rosie O'Donnell, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Alice Ripley, Sarah Jessica Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Porter, Len Cariou, Tommy Tune, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jessie Mueller, Kimiko Glenn, Orfeh, Rosie Perez, Kelli O'Hara, Lillias White, Carmen Cusack, Andréa Burns, Keala Settle, Marc Shaiman, Frank Wildhorn, Micky Dolenz, Tituss Burgess, Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo, Michael Cerveris, Norbert Leo Butz, James Monroe Iglehart, Aaron Tveit, Tiffany, Brandi Carlile, Richard Kind, Lena Hall, Robin DeJesus, Andrea McArdle, Chip Zien, Billy Magnussen, MacKenzie Mauzy, Lilla Crawford, Jeff Goldblum, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Laura Osnes, Lesli Margherita, Michael Cerveris, Christopher Sieber, The Muppets, Sesame Street, Ahrens and Flaherty, Linda Eder, Mary Testa, Julia Murney, Nikki Blonsky, Claybourne Elder, Melissa van der Shyff, Bobby Steggert, Capathia Jenkins, Christine Ebersole, Mimi Bessette, Phillip Boykin, Vince Oddo, Ben Hope, Randy Rainbow and Krystal Joy Brown. [9]

Broadway productions

West End productions

Australian productions

Touring productions

Awards and nominations

Discography

Release DateTitleRole
January 15, 2013 Norbert Leo Butz - "Memory and Mayhem: Live at 54 Below" [21] Music Director, Pianist, Vocalist, Producer, Arranger
July 26, 2013"When I Grow Up Broadway's Next Generation: Live at 54 Below" [22] Music Director, Pianist, Producer
September 5, 2013 Aaron Tveit - "The Radio In My Head: Live at 54 Below" [23] Producer, Mixer
September 26, 2013"Matilda the Musical" Original Broadway Cast RecordingAssociate Producer
November 15, 2013 Bebe Neuwirth - "Stories In NYC...: Live at 54 Below" [24] Producer, Mixer
December 6, 2013 Sierra Boggess - "Awakening Live at 54 Below" [25] Producer, Mixer
February 7, 2014"From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook" [26] Pianist
March 25, 2014 Jarrod Spector - "A Little Help From My Friends: Live at 54 Below" [27] Producer, Mixer
June 3, 2014 Ahrens & Flaherty - "Nice Fighting You: Live at 54 Below" [28] Producer, Mixer
September 9, 2014Shapiro Sisters - "Live Out Loud: Live at 54 Below" [29] Music Director, Pianist, Producer
October 19, 2014"The Angel Band Project: An Evening With Norbert Leo Butz" [30] Music Director, Pianist, Vocalist
December 15, 2014"Peter Pan Live!" [31] Executive Producer
March 3, 2015"On the Town" New Broadway Cast Recording [6] Producer, Mixer
May 5, 2015"Liberty: A Monumental New Musical" Original Off Broadway Cast Recording [32] Producer, Mixer
May 19, 2015"Side Show Added Attractions: Live at 54 Below" [33] Producer
June 23, 2015 Danielle Hope - "Bring the Future Faster: Live at 54 Below" [34] Producer, Mixer
September 18, 2015 Isabela Moner - "Stopping Time" [35] Music Director, Pianist, Arrangements, Producer
September 25, 2015 Micky Dolenz - "A Little Bit Broadway A Little Bit Rock and Roll Live at 54 Below" [36] Producer, Arranger, Piano, Musical Direction, Vocalist
October 23, 2015 Melissa Errico - "What About Today: Live at 54 Below" [37] Producer, Mixer
January 13, 2016"The Wiz Live!" [38] Executive Producer
June 3, 2016"Bonnie and Clyde and a Whole Lot of Jazz" - Frank Wildhorn and Friends Live at 54 Below [39] Producer, Mixer
June 17, 2016"Arlington" Original Cast RecordingProducer
June 17, 2016 Broadway for Orlando, "What The World Needs Now Is Love"Producer
June 17, 2016 Emily Skinner & Alice Ripley - "Unattached: Live at 54 Below" [40] Producer
September 9, 2016 Norbert Leo Butz - "Girls Girls Girls Live at 54 Below" [41] Music Director, Pianist, Vocalist, Arrangements
November 18, 2016"You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown" 2016 Off Broadway Cast Recording [42] Producer, Mixer
December 2, 2016 Carmen Cusack - "If You Knew My Story: Live at Feinstein's/54 Below" [43] Producer, Mixer
December 2, 2016 Charles Busch - "Live at Feinstein's/54 Below" [44] Producer, Mixer
December 16, 2016"From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Orlando" (CD/DVD/Blu-Ray)Producer, Music Director, Conductor, Mixer, Editor
December 6, 2016"I Have A Voice: Broadway Kids Against Bullying" - Charity SingleProducer, Music Director, Mixer
January 20, 2017"A Dog Story" Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording [45] Producer
January 27, 2017Shapiro Sisters - "Time Reveals" (EP)Producer, Mixer
March 23, 2017Artists for the Arts - "With A Little Help From My Friends" (Single) [46] Producer, Mixer, Choral Arrangements, Pianist
August 18, 2017 Orfeh & Andy Karl - "Legally Bound: Live at 54 Below" [47] Producer, Mixer
September 29, 2017 Patti LuPone - "Don't Monkey With Broadway" [48] Producer, Mixer
May 11, 2018Lesli Margherita - "Rule Your Kingdom"Producer, Mixer
September 28, 2018"Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera" Concert Cast RecordingProducer, Mixer
September 28, 2018"Session Girls" Concert Cast RecordingMusic Director, Producer, Mixer
March 1, 2019Mimi Bessette - "Lullabies of Broadway: Act II"Piano
Aug 20, 2021My Marcello - concept recordingProducer

Philanthropy

Michael is active with The Angel Band Project, a non-profit organization that supports victims of sexual assault through music therapy and outreach, both as a music director and board member. [49] [50] He is also active with the No Bully Organization. [51] [52] Michael also produced the track "What the World Needs Now Is Love" for Broadway for Orlando. [53] He played the piano during the live performance of the song on "Maya and Marty" on June 21, 2016. [54] In 2018, Michael served as music director and conductor for "From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Parkland," a benefit concert following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. [55]

Related Research Articles

Faith Prince is an American actress and singer, best known for her work on Broadway in musical theatre. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in Guys and Dolls in 1992, and received three other Tony nominations.

<i>The Last Five Years</i> 2001 musical by Jason Robert Brown

The Last Five Years is a musical written by Jason Robert Brown. It premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions both in the United States and internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Stroman</span> American theatre director and choreographer

Susan P. Stroman is an American theatre director, choreographer, and performer. Her notable theater productions include Oklahoma!, The Music Man, Crazy for You, Contact, The Producers, The Frogs, The Scottsboro Boys, Bullets Over Broadway, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, and New York, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norbert Leo Butz</span> American actor and singer

Norbert Leo Butz is an American actor and singer known for his work in Broadway theatre. He is a two-time recipient of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and is one of only nine actors ever to have won the award twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherie Rene Scott</span> American actress, singer, playwright (b. 1967)

Sherie Rene Scott is an American actor, singer, writer and producer. She has been seen in multiple Broadway and off-Broadway plays and musicals, on numerous solo and original cast recordings, and in various film and television roles.

David Norman Yazbek is an American writer, musician, composer, and lyricist. He wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musicals The Full Monty (2000), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (2010), The Band's Visit (2017), and Tootsie (2019). His most recent projects include the musicals Dead Outlaw and Buena Vista Social Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annaleigh Ashford</span> American actress, singer, and dancer (b. 1985)

Annaleigh Ashford is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her early roles on Broadway include in the musicals Wicked (2007), Legally Blonde (2007), and Hair (2010). She received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for playing Essie Carmichael in You Can't Take It With You (2014–2015). Her other Tony-nominated roles include Lauren in Kinky Boots (2013) and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023). She also starred in the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George (2017).

<i>Catch Me If You Can</i> (musical) 2009 American musical drama

Catch Me If You Can is a musical drama with a libretto by Terrence McNally and a theatrical score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. It follows the story of a con artist named Frank Abagnale. A majority of the plot is borrowed from the 2002 film of the same name, which in turn was based on the 1980 autobiography of the same name by Abagnale and Stan Redding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">65th Tony Awards</span> Award ceremony

The 65th Annual Tony Awards was held on June 12, 2011, to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2010–2011 season. They were held at the Beacon Theatre, ending a fourteen-year tradition of holding the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall. The Awards ceremony was broadcast live on CBS and was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. The award nominations were announced on May 3, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessie Mueller</span> American actress and singer

Jessica Ruth Mueller is an American actress and singer. She started her acting career in Chicago and won two Joseph Jefferson Awards in 2008 and 2011 for her roles as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel and Amalia Balash in She Loves Me. In 2011, she moved to New York City to star in a Broadway revival of musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. She went on to receive two additional Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award nominations for her leading roles in Waitress (2016) and the Broadway revival of Carousel (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">54 Below</span> Cabaret and restaurant in New York City

54 Below is a nonprofit cabaret and restaurant in the basement of Studio 54 in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, Marc Routh and Tom Viertel, 54 Below has hosted shows by such performers as Patti LuPone, Ben Vereen, Sierra Boggess, Peggy King, Lea Salonga, Marilyn Maye, Luann de Lesseps and Barbara Cook.

The 68th Annual Tony Awards were held June 8, 2014, to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2013–14 season. The ceremony was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and was televised live on CBS. Hugh Jackman was the host, his fourth time hosting. The 15 musical Tony Awards went to seven different musicals, and six plays shared the 11 play Tony Awards.

<i>Beautiful: The Carole King Musical</i> 2014 jukebox musical

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a jukebox musical with a book by Douglas McGrath that tells the story of the early life and career of Carole King, using songs that she wrote, often together with Gerry Goffin, and other contemporary songs by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Jay Stein</span> Musical artist

Billy Jay Stein is a pianist, keyboardist, composer, music director, record producer, electronic music designer, and mixing engineer. He won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album for producing and mixing Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Alex Boniello is an American actor, musician, author, and producer best known for his portrayal of the voice of Moritz in the 2015 Broadway revival of Spring Awakening, as well as his performance as Connor Murphy in the Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen. In 2019, he won the Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for Hadestown.

<i>Hadestown</i> Musical by Anaïs Mitchell

Hadestown is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell. It tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice, a young girl looking for something to eat, goes to work in a hellish industrial version of the Greek underworld to escape poverty and the cold, and her poor singer-songwriter lover Orpheus comes to rescue her.

The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, more commonly known as the Jimmy Awards, are awards given annually to recognize musical theatre performances by high school students in the United States. Two main awards are given each year, Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">73rd Tony Awards</span> 2019 awards ceremony

The 73rd Annual Tony Awards were held on June 9, 2019, to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2018–19 season. The ceremony was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and was broadcast live by CBS. James Corden served as host.

Paul Blake is an American theatre producer, writer and director. He served as lead producer of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical alongside co-producers Sony/ATV and Mike Bosner, which premiered on Broadway in 2014 garnering seven Tony Award Nominations including Best Musical and winning in 2 categories. At the time of its final performance it was the 27th longest-running show in the history of Broadway.

Broadway Records is a Grammy-winning record label specializing in releasing Broadway and off-Broadway cast recordings, as well as preserving legacy musical theatre and theatre vocalists repertoire. The president and founder is Van Dean.

References

  1. 1 2 "2022 GRAMMYs Awards: Complete Nominations List". GRAMMY.com. 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  2. "The Latest: 'Hadestown' wins Tony Award for best new musical". AP NEWS. 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Michael J. Moritz, Jr. | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  4. 1 2 Clarke, David. "BWW Interview: Music Director and Broadway Producer Michael J. Moritz Jr. Talks Career, US Coaching Tour, and Music". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 League, The Broadway. "Michael J. Moritz Jr. | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". ibdb.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  6. 1 2 "Michael J. Moritz Jr. | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  7. "Michael J. Moritz Jr. – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB".
  8. https://suncoastchapter.org/files/2017/11/2017_SuncoastNominees.pdf.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. "Broadway for Orlando's 'What the World Needs Now' Soars to #2 on iTunes".
  10. "Big Fish - Official Broadway Site". Big Fish - Official Broadway Site. Archived from the original on 2016-06-14. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  11. "BEAUTIFUL The Carole King Musical on Broadway | Official Site for Tickets | Cast & Creative". Beautiful. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  12. "Tony Yazbeck Will Topline On the Town National Tour | Playbill". Playbill. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  13. SpotCo. "Hadestown on Broadway". Hadestown. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  14. BWW News Desk. "BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Extends in the West End, Thru Feb. 2017". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  15. "BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL To open in Sydney in September 2017. Photos and Video".
  16. Libbey, Peter (2019-06-09). "2019 Tony Award Winners: Full List". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  17. Staff, Playbill (2019-05-13). "Hadestown Leads the Outer Critics Circle Awards With 6 Wins". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  18. https://suncoastchapter.org/files/2017/11/2017_SuncoastNominees.pdf.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. Times, Los Angeles (8 February 2015). "Grammys 2015: Carole King musical 'Beautiful' wins". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  20. "WINNER – OLIVIER AWARDS 2015 - Beautiful - The Carole King Musical London". Beautiful. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  21. "Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz Will Bring Memory & Mayhem to Orlando's Abbey | Playbill". Playbill. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  22. When I Grow Up: Broadway's Next Generation - Live at 54 BELOW, Broadway Records, 2013-07-30, retrieved 2016-06-14
  23. BWW News Desk. "Aaron Tveit's 'Radio in My Head' 54 Below Show to Get Live Album!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  24. "Bebe Neuwirth Solo CD, 'Stories… in NYC: Live At 54 Below,' Released Digitally Nov. 15 | Playbill". Playbill. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  25. "PR: Sierra Boggess Awakening Live at 54 Below (BroadwayWorld.com Board)". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  26. Henderson, Adria. "Broadway Stars in Concert to Benefit for The 12.14 Foundation". hamlethub.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  27. "Jarrod Spector's 'A Little Help From My Friends: Live At 54 Below' Released March 25 | Playbill". Playbill. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  28. Brady, Louisa. "Ahrens and Flaherty Set to Release Live at 54 Below Album NICE FIGHTING YOU on 6/3". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  29. "Live Out Loud: Live at 54 BELOW - 2014 The Shapiro Sisters". castalbums.org. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  30. The Angel Band Project: An Evening With Norbert Leo Butz, Broadway Records, 2014-11-11, retrieved 2016-06-14
  31. BWW News Desk. "Michael J. Moritz, Jr. to Take 'US Broadway Coaching Tour' to 15 Cities This Fall". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  32. BWW News Desk. "Off-Broadway Musical LIBERTY Receives Cast Album; Release Date Set!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  33. BWW News Desk. "SIDE SHOW's 'ADDED ATTRACTIONS' Live 54 Below Recording Released Today". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  34. BWW News Desk. "BWW Exclusive Premiere: Danielle Hope's EPIC 'Disney Medley'; Star Returns to 54 Below Tonight & We've Got a Special Offer". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  35. "Stopping Time - Isabela Moner | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  36. "Micky Dolenz Enchants New York Crowd With Monkees Hits & Cabaret Classics: Live Review". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  37. "Track Listing Announced for New Live Solo CD from Melissa Errico, 'What About Today?' | Playbill". Playbill. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  38. "Michael J Moritz Jr (@MichaelJMoritz on Twitter)". twopcharts.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  39. "Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes Featured on Frank Wildhorn Live Album | Playbill". Playbill. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  40. "Emily Skinner & Alice Ripley: Unattached – Live at Feinstein's/54 Below — Broadway Records". www.broadwayrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-21.
  41. "Norbert Leo Butz: Girls, Girls, Girls – Live at 54 BELOW". Broadway Records. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  42. Swain, Marianka. "York Theatre Company To Release New Off-Broadway Recording of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  43. "Carmen Cusack: If You Knew My Story – Live at Feinstein's/54 Below — Broadway Records". www.broadwayrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-06.
  44. "Charles Busch – Live at Feinstein's/54 Below — Broadway Records". www.broadwayrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-22.
  45. "A Dog Story (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording) — Broadway Records". Archived from the original on 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  46. "Broadway Stars Come Together for All-Star Single 'With a Little Help from My Friends' to Support the Arts". Billboard . 23 March 2017.
  47. "Orfeh & Andy Karl: Legally Bound – Live at Feinstein's/54 Below — Broadway Records". www.broadwayrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-25.
  48. "Patti LuPone: Don't Monkey With Broadway — Broadway Records". www.broadwayrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13.
  49. "The Angel Band Project: An Evening With Norbert Leo Butz by Norbert Leo Butz on iTunes". iTunes. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  50. "The Angel Band Project: An Evening With Norbert Leo Butz". microsoft.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  51. "No Bully brings Broadway Against Bullying to New York City | No Bully". nobully.org. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  52. Clarke, David. "BWW Interview: Nicholas Carlisle and Erik Stangvik Talk BROADWAY AGAINST BULLYING". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  53. "Broadway for Orlando Benefit Single | Idina Menzel". Archived from the original on 2016-06-26. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
  54. "Broadway's Best to Sing "What the World Needs Now is Love" on Maya & Marty | TheaterMania".
  55. "Theater Stars and Students Unite at From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Parkland, USA". Vogue. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-11.