Michael Colby

Librettist/Lyricist

12 Woodside Avenue
Metuchen NJ 08840
Phone (732) 494-2659
Ludlow29@aol.com
www.MichaelColby.com

MICHAEL COLBY is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC, TALES OF TINSELTOWN, THEY CHOSE ME!, DELPHI OR BUST, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), MRS. McTHING, and LUDLOW LADD. Several of these shows feature Jewish characters and related plotlines.

He was a founding member of two of the most influential companies in recent musical theatre history: the Stuart Ostrow Foundation Musical Theatre Lab and the New Amsterdam Theatre Company. Originally headquartered at St. Clement's Church, the Musical Theatre Lab was the first non-profit organization devoted to the development of new musicals, beginning with the workshop production of THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM in 1974. The New Amsterdam Theatre Company, founded by Bill Tynes in 1981, was the first ongoing presenter of musicals in concert, with full orchestra and stellar casts.

In addition to being chief writer for the New Amsterdam Theatre Company, Colby has been a frequent writer for The NY Festival of Song, the Theatre By the Blind, and the popular cabaret series Timeless Divas. He wrote continuity for STANDING OVATIONS (a benefit for the 92nd Street Y, starring Carol Channing, Nell Carter, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Uggams, and other great ladies of the theatre) and THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW ON BROADWAY (a salute to producer Maurice Levine, hosted by Angela Lansbury). He also wrote STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: A CELEBRATION (a benefit for the Directors Company, starring Paul Shaffer, Betty Buckley, Kathy Najimi, et al.), special material for ANIMAL CRACKERS (Papermill Playhouse/Goodspeed); and lyrics for THE HUMAN HEART (winner of a Billy Rose Foundation grant). Among the personalities for whom Colby has written special material are: Linda Lavin, Michael Feinstein, Tony Randall, Savion Glover, Cicely Tyson, Ben Vereen, Dina Merrill, Wilford Brimley, Susan Stroman, Sheldon Harnick, Cliff Robertson, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Barry Williams, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Edie Adams, Phyllis Newman, Donna McKechnie, Mary Cleere Haran, and Julie Wilson.

Current projects include: BOYNTON BEACH CLUB, a collaboration with filmmaker Susan Seidelman; and MEESTER AMERIKA, an award-winning musical about 1920's Yiddish Theatre.

A member of BMI and the Dramatists Guild, Mr. Colby lives in Metuchen NJ with his wife Andrea & son Steven. A conservative Jew, Michael and his family are active members of Congregation Neve Shalom (Metuchen, NJ), where Michael has played leading roles in productions of HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDAH! and WE ARE LIGHTS.