FROZEN
TUACAHN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
PRESS
I was honored to direct the regional premiere of Disney’s Frozen. Working with Jeremy Chernick, the original special effects designer of Frozen on Broadway we turned the Tuacahn desert amphitheater into a winter wonderland with a magical snow effect both onstage and over the audience.
Frozen is an unforgettable journey packed with lovable characters, thrilling surprises, and soaring music, including twelve new songs written especially for the show, alongside all the classics such as ‘For the First Time in Forever’, ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’ and the worldwide smash-hit, ‘Let it Go.’
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Scenic Design – Adam Koch
Projection Design – Steven Royal
Lighting Design – Dalton Hamilton
Costume Design – Ryan Moller
Musical Director– Christopher Babbage
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
TUACAHN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
PRESS
This regional premiere of Roald Dahl's classic children’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is a song-filled feast of "Pure Imagination" with a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
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Charlie Bucket, an imaginative boy with a knack for making something out of nothing, dreams of acquiring a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's over-the-top chocolate factory and can’t believe his luck when it actually happens. Fellow contest winners: the gluttonous German, Augustus Gloop; Daddy's spoiled rotten princess, Veruca Salt; chewing gum celebrity, Violet Beauregarde; and over-amped computer hacker, Mike Teavee, have no idea what they're getting themselves into, as they each learn lessons about selfishness and greed from Wonka, who is not only out of his mind but potentially dangerous.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Scenic Design – Adam Koch
Projection Design – Steven Royal
Lighting Design – Rob Siler
Costume Design – Ryan Moller
Musical Director– Christopher Babbage
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
TUACAHN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
David Archuleta (American Idol) stars in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!
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From the musical genius of Andrew Lloyd Weber (Phantom of the Opera) and Tim Rice (Beauty and the Beast) comes one of the most popular musicals of the last 50 years. This telling of the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers is filled with great music, costumes, laughter, joy, and heart. Utilizing many different styles of music from pop/rock to country to musical comedy this sparkling show follows young Joseph as he faces adversity and triumphs through his dreams and his strong, unwavering faith. Joseph includes the unforgettable classics “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” This show has entertained tens of millions of people and is guaranteed to thrill and delight your family!
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Scenic Design – Adam Koch
Projection Design – Steven Royal
Lighting Design – Cory Pattak
Costume Design – Ryan Muller
Musical Director– Cameron Kinnear
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42ND STREET
ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
DRURY LANE THEATRE
*JEFF AWARD NOMINATION, BEST DIRECTOR
PRESS
“Heitzman dissects the business we call show with just the right mix of deep affection and cold-eyed realism”
-Chris Jones, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
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"A downright revolutionary edition of '42nd Street'”
-Hedy Weiss, THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
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“Heitzman, a Chicagoan who’s earned fame all over the country with his remarkable productions, has taken this very well-known musical and created a whole newly reimagined show.”
- Colin Douglas, CHICAGO THEATRE REVIEW
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“A production for the ages. If you are thinking of conceptual innovation, Michael Heitzman’s production is the best thing I’ve seen at Drury Lane in 20 years. It’s absolutely not to be missed."
-Chris Jones, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
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“The idea is fresh and strong enough it should coax some Broadway producers out to the Western ‘burbs.”
-Chris Jones, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
CREATIVE TEAM
ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Jared Grimes
Musical Supervision– David Holcenberg
DRURY LANE THEATRE
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Jared Grimes
Musical Direction – Roberta Duchak
PHOTO CREDIT: CORY PATTAK
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
TUACAHN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
PITTSBURGH CIVIC LIGHT OPERA
NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
LA MIRADA THEATRE
PRESS
"A plethora of revelatory and moving performances lit up the Twin Cities stages in 2022. Eyepopping design, a lush orchestra, and sublime performances
by Rajané Katurah and Nathaniel Hackmann helped make Michael Heitzman’s production of this Disney musical at the Ordway sublime.”
-STAR TRIBUNE
"Michael Heitzman may not have fifty villagers and one hundred dancing forks but it does have a small, multi-talented ensemble and a unique directorial vision."
-Craig Kerestan, BWW PITTSBURGH
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"The supreme staging and creative choreography paired with outstanding performances by the cast make this production one of the best I have seen at NSMT."
CREATIVE TEAM
ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Musical Supervision– David Holcenberg
TUACAHN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Musical Direction– Bryson Baumgartel
PITTSBURG CIVIC LIGHT OPERA
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Musical Direction– James Cunningham
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NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreography – Lisa Shriver
Musical Direction– Rick Fox
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LA MIRADA THEATRE
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Musical Direction– Darryl Archibald
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NEWSIES
SACRAMENTO MUSIC CIRCUS
They sold the newspapers, until they made the headlines. Based on the hit Disney film, this Tony-winning, crowd-pleasing smash-hit features a band of spirited New York City newsboys, facing insurmountable odds and standing up to the powerful publishers. With stirring music by Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) and breathtaking dance numbers, it’s a new classic with the power to inspire.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Original Choreography – Christopher Gatelli
Choreography Reproduced by– Andrew Wilson
Scenic Design – Nate Bertone
Lighting Design – Charlie Morrison
Costume Design – Rose Pederson
Musical Direction– James Olmstead
Stage Management – Craig Horness
Projection Design – Brad Peterson
Production Photography – Char Crail
LEGALLY BLONDE
SACRAMENTO MUSIC CIRCUS
The hilarious Reese Witherspoon film is now the smash-hit musical comedy that turned Broadway and MTV hot pink. Sorority star Elle Woods is an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” she hits the books and, with her dog Bruiser, sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before, Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreography – Mara Newbery Greer
Scenic Design – Stephen Gifford
Lighting Design – Charlie Morrison
Costume Design – Mark Koss
Musical Direction– Darren Cohen
Stage Management – Craig Horness
Assistant Director– Connor Mickiewicz
Production Photography – Char Crail
BIG RIVER
SACRAMENTO MUSIC CIRCUS
PRESS
"Director Michael Heitzman’s buoyant production embraces both the sentimentality and grit of William Hauptman’s book."
-Marcus Crowder, SACRAMENTO BEE
"Big River" at Sacramento Music Circus is the show to see this summer. The production's overall aesthetic reaches beyond description with its honest staging and deep probing in issues of race, friendship and virtue
-Harmony Wheeler, BWW SACRAMENTO
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreography– AC Ciulla
Scenic Design – Scott Klier
Lighting Design – Pamila Gray
Costume Design – Marcy Froehlich
Musical Direction– Andrew Bryan
Stage Management – Craig Horness
Assistant Director– Ariella Wolfe
Production Photography – Char Crail
SHREK
NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
PRESS
"'Shrek' at North Shore Music Theatre is brimming with boisterous, gut-busting merriment from start to finish"
-Keith Spencer, NoBo Magazine
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreography – Mara Newbery Greer
Scenic Design – Nate Bertone
Lighting Design – Dan Efros
Costume Coordinator – Paula Ninestein
Musical Direction– Michael Gacetta
Stage Management – John Godbout
Production Photography – Paul Lyden
THE LITTLE MERMAID
NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
*IRNE AWARD NOMINATION, BEST DIRECTOR
Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreography – AC Ciulla
Scenic Design –Howard Jones
Lighting Design – Kirk Bookman
Costume Designs– MSMT
Costume Coordinator – Paula Ninestein
Musical Direction– Bruce Barnes
Production Photography – Paul Lyden
SUESSICAL
CREATIVE TEAM
PRESS
This year Theodor Seuss Geisel (AKA Dr. Seuss!)’s would have celebrated his 120th Birthday. SEUSSICAL is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Being a huge fan of Ahrens and Flaherty (ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, RAGTIME) it was an honor to direct their musical Seussical, a show with a big heart - “a person’s a person no matter how small”. And this cast!!! Beth Malone (FUN HOME) as my Cat in the Jacob Keith Watson (MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG) as Horotn, Kate Loprest (FIRST DATE) as Mayzie, Darius Harper (KINKY BOOTS) as Sour Susana Cordon as Gerturde McFuzz.
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“ Directed by Michael Heitzman, is a candy-colored, endlessly entertaining romp for the whole family, with a slightly contemporized vibe.
"Director Heitzman, along with choreographer Robbie Roby, keeps the show moving in a constant hum of activity, from the freeform movement of the Jungle to the mechanical, almost Disney-like world of the Whos.”
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Director– Michael Heitzman
Choreographer – Robbie Roby
Scenic Design - J Branson
Lighting Design – Paul Miller
Costume Design and Coordination – Ryan Moller
Wig & Hair Design - Jeff Knaggs
Puppet Design - Lisa Leibering
Musical Director– Catie Brown