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Michael Colby

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Michael Colby BIO

MICHAEL COLBY is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), TALES OF TINSELTOWN, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC (off-Broadway & London), MRS. McTHING, THEY CHOSE ME!, and LUDLOW LADD. He was chief writer for the Drama Desk Award-winning New Amsterdam Theatre Company, and has been a frequent writer for The NY Festival of Song as well as the Theatre By the Blind.

He wrote continuity for two benefits at the 92nd Street Y: STANDING OVATIONS (starring Carol Channing, Nell Carter, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Uggams, and other great ladies of the theatre) and THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW ON BROADWAY (a tribute to Maurice Levine, hosted by Angela Lansbury). He also wrote STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION, a benefit for the Directors Company, starring Betty Buckley, Paul Shaffer, Kathy Najimi, et al.

He created special material for ANIMAL CRACKERS (PaperMill Playhouse/Goodspeed), lyrics for MEESTER AMERIKA (The Garage Theatre, NJ) and THE HUMAN HEART (at Marymount Manhattan College), and the narration for THE MAYOR MUSICALS, a benefit for Musicals In Concert hosted by Sheldon Harnick. Among the personalities for whom Mr. Colby has written material are: Linda Lavin, Tony Randall, Tovah Feldshuh, Paul Shaffer, Savion Glover, Dina Merrill, Susan Stroman, Michael Feinstein, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Kristin Chenoweth, Bruce Adler, Cliff Robertson, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Eric Stoltz, Julie Wilson, Alison Fraser, Mary Cleere Haran, Stephanie Pope, Donna McKechnie, & Cicely Tyson.

Movie credits include writing the title song for the film HEART OF THE BEHOLDER.

A member of BMI and the Dramatists Guild, he lives in Metuchen, NJ with his wife Andrea and son Steven.

Michael Colby Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael Colby, Charlotte Sweet

Michael Colby Videos

Michael Colby News

MADAME CLICQUOT: A REVOLUTIONARY MUSICAL Studio Cast Recording Out Now

MADAME CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical – Studio Cast Recording, which features highlights from the sweeping and romantic new stage musical, is available in streaming and digital formats now.

Exclusive: First Listen to New Single 'Life on the Edge' From CLICQUOT: A REVOLUTIONARY MUSICAL

BRAINSTORM RECORDS, YELLOW SOUND LABEL and 35th PARALLEL PRODUCTIONS have announced that the second single from CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical – Studio Cast Recording, which features highlights from the sweeping and romantic new stage musical, will be available on all streaming services on Monday, March 13. Get an exclusive first listen here!

Paolo Montalban, Victoria Frings & More to be Featured on CLICQUOT: A REVOLUTIONARY MUSICAL Studio Cast Recording

CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical – Studio Cast Recording, which features highlights from the sweeping and romantic new stage musical, will be released on Friday, April 14.

Album Review: Maureen Taylor Brings Her Cabaret Show To All By Recording Her COSMIC CONNECTIONS

A lovely, high-lyric soprano that is never overstated or underplayed, Taylor uses all of her voice when she sings, sometimes in the space of a single number.

Photos: Go Inside Rehearsals For OTHER LIVES: THE STORY SONGS OF MICHAEL COLBY

See photos in rehearsals for 'OTHER LIVES: The Story Songs of Michael Colby' part of Urban Stages 'Winter Rhythms 2022.'

Emily McNamara Joins Andrew Zachary Cohen For Return Engagement of DON'T ASK THE LADY at The Green Room 42

Following two acclaimed performances of the show at 54Below, he’s ready to make his mark at The Green Room 42 in this special Birthday Bash Holiday Edition.  It’s the days between Christmas and New Year’s and the last two or so hours Andrew will still be in his 30s.  Putting his stamp on some of the theatre’s most famous female roles and many lesser-known gems, he explores his journey from suburbia to NYC through his earliest influences that created his deep love (or is it unhealthy obsession?) for the musical theatre.

News: WINTER RHYTHMS at Urban Stages Releases Full Lineup

URBAN STAGE's annual Winter Rhythms cabaret series has announced the full run-down of shows and acts to play in the 2022 season

WINTER RHYTHMS Returns To Urban Stages This December

Urban Stages has had great luck with their Winter Rhythms shows in the past and the calendar for 2022 is looking good. So is their Black Friday sale code.

Janet Aldrich, Stephen Bogardus & More to Star in OTHER LIVES: THE STORY SONGS OF MICHAEL COLBY at Urban Stages

Other Lives: The Story Songs of Michael Colby, a mélange of melody and tour de force performances featuring lyrics by Michael Colby, will be presented as part of Urban Stages 2022 “Winter Rhythms” series, produced by Tom Toce and Sue Matsuki, on Sunday, December 11 at 3pm and Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 7pm at Urban Stages Theater 

THE SONGS OF DOROTHY DANDRIDGE! THE MUSICAL Announced At Zankel Hall At Carnegie Hall

Producers Richard Bell, N'Kenge, Park Row Equity Partners, Tegan Summer, Sam Williams, Michael Loeb and Derow Enterprises, in association with Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, announce the presentation of “The Songs of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” selections from the upcoming production of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical, with book and lyrics by Trey Ellis and music and lyrics by Shelton L. Becton, directed by Tamara Tunie at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.

Maureen Taylor to Release 'Cosmic Connections: The Lyrics of Michael Colby'

Brainstorm Records announces the April 23rd release of Vocalist Maureen Taylor’s recording: Maureen Taylor: Cosmic Connections – The Lyrics of Michael Colby. The collaboration between Taylor and Colby will feature nineteen Colby songs. The album will be available for streaming and purchase on all the major music outlets (as well as a limited number of CDs for purchase at the release party).

Andrew Zachary Cohen to Make Feinstein's/54 Below Debut with DON'T ASK THE LADY

FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present Andrew Zachary Cohen in Don’t Ask the Lady on March 2nd at 9:45 PM.  While ushering at the New Am, his boss said that positioning him in the balcony was akin to putting the Mona Lisa in a warehouse. 

Urban Stages to Present WINTER RHYTHMS With Steve Ross, Richard Skipper & More

Urban Stages has announced its 13th annual awarding-winning cabaret series, Winter Rhythms, returning live to its 30th Street theater December 7th through December 19th and benefiting Urban Stages' Outreach, Arts in Education programs.

Ludlow Ladd In Concert Joins Urban Stages WINTER RHYTHMS Lineup

Tickets are now available for Gerald Jay Markoe and Michael Colby's comic Christmas tale, Ludlow Ladd in Concert, part of the Winter Rhythms series at Urban Stages.

MRS. MCTHING Will Hold Benefit Performances at TADA! Youth Theater This Month

Jack Urbont and Michael Colby's bewitching musical Mrs. McThing, with a splendid cast of New York theater pros, is slated for two benefit performances at TADA! Youth Theater on Halloween, Sunday, October 31st at 2pm and 7pm. TADA! Youth Theater is located at 15 West 28th Street in Manhattan.

BWW Review: SALON Throws a Sweet Sixteen Party at Don't Tell Mama

Tonight, SALON performed for the first time after sixteen months off. Even the threat of a tropical storm outside didn’t deter a good number of people from celebrating its return. This evening’s theme was threefold: “Welcome Back!,” “Sweet Sixteen” in honor of Salon’s 16th anniversary, and “Bernstein at 103” to celebrates the 103rd birthday of the great Leonard Bernstein. Tonight’s co-host was the much-awarded cabaret artist, Julie Reyburn.

VIDEO: Lee Roy Reams, Lawrence Leritz and Carolyn Kirsch Join BACKSTAGE BABBLE TRIVIA

Backstage Babble host Charles Kirsch joined forces with Dancers Over 40 to create a fun Trivia night to fundraise for DO40.

Virtual Theatre This Weekend: March 20-21- with Jackie Hoffman, Patti Murin and More!

Broadway might be dark, but that doesn't mean that theatre isn't happening everywhere! Below, check out where you can get your daily fix of Broadway this weekend, March 20-21, 2021.

Lee Roy Reams, Lawrence Leritz and Carolyn Kirsch Join BACKSTAGE BABBLE TRIVIA Tomorrow

Come and spend Saturday March 20th at 7pm EST with theater podcast Backstage Babble host Charles Kirsch when he joins forces with Dancers Over 40 to create a fun Trivia night to fundraise for DO40.

Backstage Babble Trivia Night Hosts D040 Benefit

Theater podcast Backstage Babble and host Charles Kirsch are joining forces to benefit Dancers Over 40, creating a night to remember. Come and test your knowledge and learn something new! The presenters are some of Broadway's best and on March 20th at 7PM EST, these Dancers Over 40 and Friends enter your very own living rooms.

Michael Colby FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Michael Colby has written 10 shows including Second Chance (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Lyres (Lyricist), North Atlantic (Bookwriter), Another Time (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Ludlow Ladd (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Charlotte Sweet (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Mrs. McThing (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Tales of Tinseltown (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Happy Haunting (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Delphi or Bust (Bookwriter/Lyricist).

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Charlotte Sweet .

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