When asked to explain that statement in the Tony press room, the Spring Awakening director said, "Anyone who has ever worked with me knows that things are either 'okay' or 'heinous.' I'm sort of black and white that way. If someone, or me, or anyone does anything, I'm always like, 'Oh my God, that cross was heinous or the scene is heinous or the song is heinous or those shoes are heinous. Or what was I thinking? That was such a heinous idea of mine.' "So I thought I'd give a little shout out to [the cast] because they've heard it so much [that] it would be nice for them to hear the opposite."

Michael Mayer received Tony nominations for Best Director for his work on A View From the Bridge; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; and the Tony-winning Best Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. His other Broadway credits include An Almost Holy Picture, Uncle Vanya, The Lion in Winter, Side Man and Triumph of Love. Off-Broadway, Mayer has directed The Credeaux Canvas, Stupid Kids, Baby Anger, Antigone in New York and View of the Dome.