2023
Highlights
Played Carl OFF-BROADWAY
at The SoHo Playhouse
in ERIC BOGOSIAN'S 1+1.
Co-Directed/Acted in
the World Premiere Workshop of
JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY'S
THE LOST YEARS with Black Box PAC.
Played Blue Morphan and Shooter in
SAM SHEPARD'S
THE UNSEEN HAND & ACTION.
Asst. Directed the U.S. Premiere of Shepard's
unpublished LITTLE OCEAN.
Nov./Dec.
2022
Played "Man" in Edward Albee's Rarely-Performed Masterwork THE PLAY ABOUT THE BABY
at The Black Box in Englewood, NJ.
Performances: 11/10-12/4, Thurs-Sun at 8pm
"The four-member cast embraces the play’s black humor and random craziness so deeply you can feel their gleeful delight.--Jay Lustig, NJArts.net
*Named in NJArts.net's
Top 15 NJ Theater Productions 2022!
October
2022
Directing and playing "Woyzeck" in Neil Labute's adaptation of Buchner's WOYZECK running In Rep with Matt Okin's CHERRY HILL (inspired by Woyzeck) in which I play "Lawrence" and "The Sheriff" at The Black Box in
Englewood, NJ.
Performances:
10/6-10/23,Thurs-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 3pm and 8pm.
"This Woyzeck is transfixing in a dark and disturbing way, imbuing the tale...with the solemn and steady inevitability of a Greek Tragedy."
--Jay Lustig, NJArts.net
July 2022
Reprising my role as CARL in Eric Bogosian's 1+1, now having its Special NYC Premiere, produced by The Black Box Performing Arts Center, headlining The Chain Play Festival in midtown Manhattan.
The Chain Theatre (312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018). 7/8 - 7/22
Tickets: https://www.chaintheatre.org/playfestival2022
Terrific Review from TheaterScene.org:
https://theaterscene.org/2022/07/11-2/
"The animated Michael Gardiner wonderfully portrays Carl, the Steak ‘N Brew manager who is Brianne’s hapless platonic protector, as an empathetic everyman with a heart of gold...Mr. Gardiner is comedically priceless."
--Darryl Reilly
May-
June
2022
Originated the role of MIKE in
Beth Henley's EXPOSED at
The Black Box Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.
May 22- Special Q&A with Beth Henley herself! (moderated by Paradise Square Tony Nominee Craig Lucas)
Performances: 5/7-5/28, Thursday-Sunday at 8pm
The Cast with Beth Henley
Beth Henley and Craig Lucas
MARCH-APRIL
2022
Playing MARK in the rarely-seen CLEOPATRA CLUB by Legendary Filmmaker Paul Schrader at
The Black Box Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.
Performances: 3/24-4/10, Thursday-Sunday at 8pm.
FEBRUARY
2022
Assistant Directing the NJ Premiere of Craig Lucas' ODE TO JOY at The Black Box Performing Arts Center in Englewood NJ
Performances: 2/10- 2/27
Playing Peter Cabot in Eugene O'Neill's DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS at Hudson Theatre Works, directed by Frank Licato
Performances: 2/10- 2/27
NOVEMBER 2021 -
JANUARY 2022
Playing CARL in Eric Bogosian's New Play 1+1 at The Black Box Performing Art Center in Englewood, NJ
December
2021
Performed a monologue in Neil Labute's TEN X TEN
at Black Box PAC
Performances: 12/9-12/12
Participated in the NEW WORKS FEST at Black Box PAC which featured new short plays by John Guare, Caridad Svich, myself, and others.
My play THE CRAB WIFE was featured. I directed Mr. Guare's SATORI and played A in Mr. Guare's BETWEEN.
Performances: 12/16-12/19
October
2021
Had a workshop reading of my new play FRANKENSTEIN UNLEASHED at Black Box PAC.
FRANKENSTEIN UNLEASHED is a wickedly funny, in-your-face riff on Mary Shelley’s classic novel which explores what happens when Victor Frankenstein actually completes his work on The Creature’s “Bride”. Infusing bold humor, a myriad of Shakespearean and classical allusions, and a fair dose of all-out gore, Michael Gardiner’s new play ponders nothing less than what it means to be “alive.”
Cast/Creative Team:
Victor: Kevin Thiel
The Creature: Michael Gardiner
The Bride: Danielle MacMath
Elizabeth/Girl: Ilana Schimmel
Clerval/Sharky/Blind Man: Sam Cancelarich
The Boy: Jeffrey Lubin
Directed by: Matt Okin
