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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


16th Annual URBAN STAGES WINTER RHYTHMS 2024 Begins In December

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

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

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'

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

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'

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!
Listen: BAND GEEKS Studio Cast Recording Featuring Lindsay Mendez, Ruthie Ann Miles, Patti Murin & More Out Now

Band Geeks: Original Studio Cast Recording has been released in digital and streaming formats! Listen now!
Bridgetown Conservatory to Present Premiere Production of LUDLOW LADD: The Poor Little Orphan Boy

After 44 years, Bridgetown Conservatory is finally bringing Michael Colby's 'LUDLOW LADD: The Poor Little Orphan Boy' to the stage in a fully realized new version. Find out when and where you can witness this unforgettable performance.
Off Broadway Cast Recording Of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO HEATHER To Be Released On JAY Records

Raise Your Hands! The Off Broadway cast recording of The Gospel According to Heather, a new musical with a book, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon. will be released on JAY Records. Produced by John Yap, the recording will feature the original cast of the Off Broadway production who gathered this week at Manhattan Studios to lay down the tracks.
Original Off Broadway Cast Recording Of OTHER LIVES: The Story Songs Of Michael Colby Will Be Released This Month

The original Off Broadway cast recording of “Other Lives: The Story Songs of Michael Colby” (Jay Records), a cycle of story songs by lyricist Michael Colby (Charlotte Sweet, Ludlow Ladd), with music by a variety of composers, including Alex Rybeck, Larry Hochman, Joseph Thalken, Steven Silverstein, will be officially released on CD and all digital music platforms on Friday, June 16th.
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!

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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