‘The Lost Boys’ Director Michael Arden on Honoring the Cult Horror Classic and His Plans for ‘Happy Feet’ Broadway Musical With ‘Anthropomorphic Animals’
‘The Lost Boys’ Director Michael Arden on Honoring the Cult Horror Classic and His Plans for ‘Happy Feet’ Broadway Musical
Tony-winning director Michael Arden, fresh off his success with the robot musical Maybe Happy Ending, is now tackling vampires. He is at the helm of “The Lost Boys,” a lavish stage adaptation of the 1987 cult horror-comedy film. The production has earned 12 Tony nominations, including two for Arden himself.
Arden emphasizes his commitment to honoring the original film’s legacy while reinventing it for the stage. He describes the adaptation as a “love letter” to the movie, focusing on its core themes of rebellion, family, and the eternal allure of the outsider. The director is working closely with the original film’s creative team to ensure the spirit of the classic remains intact.
Beyond the vampire saga, Arden also shared his plans for a Broadway musical adaptation of Happy Feet. He confirmed the project is in development and will feature “anthropomorphic animals.” Arden teased that the show will utilize innovative puppetry and choreography to bring the dancing penguins to life, aiming to capture the same magic and environmental message of the animated film. He noted that tackling such different genres—from robots to vampires to penguins—is what excites him most about his career.