Lyricist/librettist, Michael Colby, author of the memoir, "The Algonquin Kid-Adventures Growing Up at New York's Legendary Hotel," celebrated his 65th Birthday on Sunday, Oct. 30th with a fundraiser/musical event for Child Find of America. "Quel Fromage II" featured performers from Broadway and cabaret, including members of TADA! Youth Theater, who gave a 90 minute concert at TRIAD on the upper west side, singing songs from Colby's musicals. Scroll down for photos from the event!
Composers represented were Ed Alstrom, Artie Bressler, Kenneth Faulkner-Alexander, Mary Feinsinger, Ned Paul Ginsburg, John C. Introcaso, Paul Katz, Gerald Jay Markoe, Peter Millrose, Steven Silverstein and Jack Urbont. Michael Colby's musicals include "Charlotte Sweet," "Tales of Tinseltown" "The Boynton Beach Club," "Slay It With Music," and "Mrs. McThing," to name a few. Several of Colby's shows were conceived and written at The Algonquin Hotel, where Colby lived from his late teens until he married.
The list of generous performers included: Bethe Austin, Joan Barber, Ryan Bauer-Walsh, P.J. Benjamin, Stephen Berger, Olivia Broome, Lori Tan Chinn, Connor Coughlin, Erin Cronican, Natalie Douglas, Quel Fromage II producer, Sandi Durell, Peggy Eason, Louisa Flaningam, Eric Michael Gillett, Jeff Harnar, Ellen Harvey, Jeff Keller, Jayson Kerr, Eddie Korbich, Rob Langeder, Jeanne lehman, Randie Levine-Miller, N'Kenge, Stacie Perlman, Gretchen Reinhagen, Daryl Sherman, Neva Small, TADA! Youth Theater members Nisha Borelli, Manuel Hodgson, Mya Rosado and Cosmo Bayes, soloist, Maureen Taylor and TEd Williams.
Executive Director of Child Find of America, Donna Linder, was in attendance as were many of Colby's fans and family. Sandi Durell, publisher and editor of entertainment site TheaterPizzazz.com produced the event.
Photo Credit: Maryann Lopinto
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