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Michael Colby

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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.

Photos

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Lyrics

Michael Colby, Charlotte Sweet

News


Jeff Harnar's CONFESSIONS OF A NEW YORKER Comes to 54 Below in April
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

54 Below will present the return of MAC and Bistro Award-winning concert artist Jeff Harnar – celebrating Manhattan in music with Confessions of a New Yorker. Learn more here!
TRU to Present This And That: Conversations About A Life In Theater (2)
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2025

A dependable haven for artists in isolation, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is now in its fourth year of non-stop weekly Community Gatherings. Join in on This and That: Conversations About a Life in Theater (2).
HOLIDAY REGARDS: A REVUE TO CELEBRATE' AT 'WINTER RHYTHMS Adds Performance At Urban Stages
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 10, 2024

Due to popular demand Winter Rhythms  have announced an added third performance of Holiday Regards: A Revue to Celebrate! part of its “2024 Winter Rhythms” series, the award-winning music festival at Urban Stages Theater (259 West 30th Street – between 7th & 8th Avenues), on Monday, December 16 at 7:00pm.
Feature: Celebrate the Holidays With 7 Cabaret Shows in NYC
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 9, 2024

Need a holiday pick-me-up? Looking for something fun to do with family in town? Look no further than these 7 cabaret shows in NYC - all with tickets still available. From Melissa Errico to jazz and original holiday songs, this list has it all!
Review: Michael Colby's HOLIDAY REGARDS at Urban Stages Is a Lovely Treat
by Rob Lester - Dec 8, 2024

HOLIDAY REGARDS at Urban Stages, a collection of Michael Colby's songs sung by a fine company repeats 12/8 & 12/16. Part of a mega-series of shows with over 100 performers total (cabaret, theatre, jazz, more) at Urban Stages in Manhattan.
URBAN STAGES WINTER RHYTHMS Returns In December
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 27, 2024

New York's Urban Stages has announced the 16th annual awarding-winning cabaret series, Winter Rhythms, with performances from Wednesday, December 4th through Sunday, December 15th. This celebrated series will benefit Urban Stages' Outreach, Arts in Education programs.  
16th Annual URBAN STAGES WINTER RHYTHMS 2024 Begins In December
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 7, 2024

Discover the 16th Annual URBAN STAGES WINTER RHYTHMS 2024, featuring a diverse lineup of performances from December 4-15, 2024.
HOLIDAY REGARDS: A REVUE TO CELEBRATE Set for Winter Rhythms 2024 Series at Urban Stages
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 1, 2024

Winter Rhythms will present Holiday Regards: A Revue to Celebrate! as part of its “2024 Winter Rhythms” series, the award-winning music festival at Urban Stages Theater, on Saturday, December 7 at 3:00pm and Sunday, December 8 at 7:00pm.
DANGEROUS: A Noir Musical Will Receive Developmental Workshop Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 24, 2024

Dangerous: A Noir Musical will receive a developmental workshop presented by The Directors Company next month. There will be two performances on Thursday, October 17, 2pm and Friday, October 18, 2pm.
Country Powerhouses Kameron Marlowe and Ella Langley Impact Country Radio With 'Strangers'
by Josh Sharpe - May 29, 2024

Standout Country star Kameron Marlowe has impacted Country radio with his soul-stirring duet “Strangers” with rising Country maverick Ella Langley. The track comes in with a career-high 36 first-week stations. “Strangers” hits the airwaves ahead of Marlowe's highly anticipated sophomore album release, Keepin' The Lights On, arriving Friday, May 31. 
THE COMPLAINTS DEPT. Will Premiere at Hollywood Fringe Festival
by Stephi Wild - May 28, 2024

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience as “The Complaints Dept.” premieres at The Hobgoblin Playhouse during the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Kameron Marlowe Unveils A Soulful Reflection With 'On My Way Out'
by Josh Sharpe - May 3, 2024

Kameron Marlowe offers a heartfelt glimpse into his next chapter with the reflective new track “On My Way Out.' Serving as the final sneak peek from his forthcoming sophomore album, Keepin' The Lights On, arriving Friday, May 31, the new ballad brings Marlowe's powerhouse vocals to the forefront as he thoughtfully examines the regrets he wants to rectify before his time is up and the 'one more times' he wants to experience again. Listen to the single now!
Jessica Fontana to Release Debut Solo Album EVERY DAY SPECIAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 26, 2024

Broadway actress, writer, and podcaster Jessica Fontana is releasing her debut solo album: Every Day Special.
Photos: Go Inside the Launch Party for Stephen Cole's New Novel MARY & ETHEL...AND MIKEY WHO?
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 21, 2024

On January 16, 2024, Moreclacke Publishers (Robert Armin, President) released the hardcover, Kindle and audio version (performed by the great Anita Gillette) of MARY & ETHEL...and Mikey Who? by Stephen Cole. Check out photos from the launch party here!
Reviews: Catching Up on Shows Is a Whirlwind .... at Urban Stages & 54 Below
by Rob Lester - Dec 12, 2023

Dear Santa: Thanks for the gifts called music in NYC, letting us 'wrap' our ears around a touch of Oklahoma-bred sense and sensibility, lots of holiday cheer, and musical theatre projects that have a connection to a famous hotel ....all part of a week in the winter wonderland of Manhattan's live presentations.
Review: NIGHTS AT THE ALGONQUIN Opens Winter Rhythms Series with Class & Fun & Memories
by Rob Lester - Dec 8, 2023

It's all about music and memories and variety with different shows every day or night on West 30th Street for Urban Stages, with the opening program a good harbinger of more good entertainment to come.
Bridgetown Conservatory Unveils Cast Of LUDLOW LADD: The Poor Little Orphan Boy
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 7, 2023

Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre announces the cast of the world premier of the revised/rewritten Off-Broadway holiday musical 'LUDLOW LADD: The Poor Little Orphan Boy.' Aidan Pulito will portray Ludlow Ladd, Camille Hildebrant as Prudence Grimble, and Jack Solari as Prescott Grimble, among others.
Urban Stages to Present 15th Annual WINTER RHYTHMS Featuring 22 Shows and Over 100 Performers
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2023

Join Urban Stages for the 15th Annual WINTER RHYTHMS 2023, featuring 22 shows, over 11 days, and more than 100 performers. From cabaret to jazz and everything in between, this award-winning series is a must-see event for music and performance lovers. Don't miss out on this spectacular showcase!
Winter Rhythms 2023 @ Urban Stages Will Present Two "Algonquin" Themed Events Hosted By Michael Colby
by Stephi Wild - Oct 25, 2023

Winter Rhythms @ Urban Stages has announced two very special upcoming events as part of its “2023 Winter Rhythms” series, the award-winning music festival at Urban Stages Theater.
Bridgetown Conservatory Unveils 2024 Season Of Musicals Featuring a World Premiere & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 19, 2023

Discover the exciting 2024 season of musicals at Bridgetown Conservatory, featuring the world premiere of 'Ludlow Ladd: The Poor Little Orphan Boy' and a lineup of acclaimed shows. Don't miss out on this musical theatre extravaganza!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Michael Colby written?

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).

What awards has Michael Colby been nominated for?

and Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Charlotte Sweet.

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