Michael McElroy

‘I Needed It’: A Well-Timed Outdoor Theater Opens on Little Island – The New York Times

Michael McElroy’s numerous Broadway credits include Sunday In the Park with George, Next to Normal, Rent, and more. An accomplished vocal arranger and Musical Director, Michael is the Founder of Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV), the award-winning choir made up of Broadway performers 

“Art holds the power to change communities. Through exploring our unique voices, we learn to value and celebrate our differences, and in the process discover our common humanity. That is the amazing power of art. Little Island provides an opportunity to explore what it means to be an artist in this moment of radical transformation.” 

During season two, Michael McElroy co-curated Our Second Annual Music & Dance Festival with Little Island Artist-in-Residence Ayodele Casel and along with Casel’s frequent collaborator Torya Beard. Highlights of this park-wide celebration included Soul to Soul: Black Women in Music hosted by Phylicia Rashad and McElroy featuring Capathia Jenkins, and Lillias White, Aisha de Haas, Aisha Jackson, Anastasia Talley, and Annastasia Victory and A Night of Musical Masters featuring Isaac Harlan, Joel Martin, and Matthew Whitaker. 

Michael McElroy launched Little Island’s 2021 inaugural season by bringing Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV) to The Amph stage with Broadway Our Way LIVE, and curated the weekly Music in The Glade series. 

Michael McElroy’s credits include: Broadway: Sunday In the Park with George (2017 revival starring Jake Gyllenhaal), Next to Normal, RENT, The Wild Party, Big River (Tony nomination 2004, Drama Desk nomination) The Who’s Tommy, Miss Saigon, Patti LuPone on Broadway, High Roller Social Pleasure Club., HAIR (Encores). New York Philharmonic: Candide. National Tour: Next to Normal, Rent, Big River (LA Ovation nomination), SARAFINA. Off-Broadway: Some Men (Second Stage Theater), BLUE (Roundabout), Violet (Original Cast, Playwrights Horizons, Drama Desk Nomination), Thunder Knocking on the Door (Minetta Lane), Richard III(NYSF) Regional: Broadway 3 Generations (Kennedy Center), Big River (Fords Theater Helen Hayes Award 2006), Fences (Riverside), Angels In America: I&II (Alley Theater), BLUE (Pasadena Playhouse L.A. Ovation Nomination), Dreamgirls (Pittsburgh Playhouse). Featured on such cds as BLUE, The Who’s Tommy, The Wild Party, Violet, Dream True, As a Vocal Arranger, and Musial Director, Michael’s arrangements have been featured on Broadway in Disaster this season, and Street Corner Symphony, Off-Broadway in Our Lady of Kibeho at Signature Theater and Three Mo’ Tenors at the Little Shubert Theater. Film: Rent Live on Broadway, Romance and Cigarettes, Stonewall, Television: The Wiz Live (Background Vocals), Cantebury Law, Love Monkey, All My Children, Spin City, Michael Jackson Concert, 2002 Grammy’s, New Amsterdam. 

Michael McElroy was the Founder/Musical Director and Arranger for Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV). Founded in 1994, BIV is a choir made up on Broadway performers. In June 2019 as BIV celebrated its 25th year, they were awarded the 2019 Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theater by American Theater Wing. In 2004, Michael received a Grammy nomination in 2004 for his arrangement of “Joy To The World” on BIV’s first holiday CD: Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas. Broadway Inspirational Voices, along with Michael’s compositions and arrangements have been performed at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, DAR Constitutional Hall, Carnegie Hall and The Crystal Cathedral in Anaheim California. Under Michael’s direction, BIV has performed with such greats as Patti LuPone, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Harry Connick Jr., Jason Mraz, Sting, Elton John, Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Nettles, Kelli O’Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter and Heather Headley. 

As a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Michael received the 2020 Alumni Achievement Award in December and is a founding member of Black Theatre United and MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity).