MICHAEL L. STANEK (BIOGRAPHY)

PRODUCER/ARTIST DIRECTOR


michael stanek, producer/director of the Broadway Dinner Theatre in Wisconsin Dells Producer/Artistic Director – Michael, a native of Wisconsin has produced, directed, choreographed and performed all over the world. He currently resides in New York City and is the Artistic Director of the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre and Producer/Co-Owner of The Broadway Dinner Theatre in the Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Stanek was recently awarded an "observership" by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation of NYC.  Stanek was chosen to work with Tony Award winning director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall on City Centers Encores production of "70, Girls, 70".

Recent directing and choreographing credits include: Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, The Wizard of Oz, Footloose, The Fabulous Fifties, South Pacific, Crazy For You, Damn Yankees, Grease, Smokey Joes Café, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Forever Plaid, Home for the Holidays, Anything Goes, Annie, Godspell and An American Christmas (which was written and conceived by Michael).

Michael also served as the Artistic Director for the Broadway kids group, KIDS WITH HEART, a group that has appeared on the Rosie O-Donnell show and for PERFORMING ARTS FOR CHILDREN. Michael recently choreographed the OFF BROADWAY SHOW, The Perfect Monster, which received rave reviews in the “New York Times”. Other credits include the United States premier of the musical Billy,The Mikado and Man of La Mancha (Cortland Repertory Theatre), Stagestruck, A Musical Revue, written and conceived by Michael (Union Theatre).

Michael has performed and assisted in many productions throughout Europe and the United States. Some performance credits include Ed McMahon’s Star Search (FINALIST), 42nd Street (European Tour), Camelot starring John Reubenstein and Ken Page (The MUNY), Oklahoma! Starring Rue McClananan (Broadway Series of Charlotte), Voices, A Time to Listen, an AIDS benefit starring Stephen Schwartz and Sandi Patti and Sophisticated Sing and Swing starring Mercedes Ellington (United States Tour). After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Michael worked for the Walt Disney Company as a staging assistant, dance captain and performer in various productions including the original company of Beauty and the Beast. Stanek is a 15 year member of Actors' Equity Association and an associate member of The Society for Stage Directors and Choreographers.