Michael Colby Explained

Michael Colby
Birth Name:	Michael Elihu Colby
Birth Date:	October 29, 1951
Birth Place:	New York City
Occupation:	Lyricist, librettist

Michael Elihu Colby (born 29 October 1951) is an American theatre lyricist and musical playwright. He is the author of the book The Algonquin Kid and musicals such as Charlotte Sweet and Tales of Tinseltown.

Early life and education

Michael Colby was born in New York City. From 1946 to 1987, his grandparents, Ben and Mary Bodne, owned the Algonquin Hotel where Colby grew up as a child, observing celebrities such as Ella Fitzgerald, Laurence Olivier, and Tennessee Williams.^[1] His upbringing in the Algonquin later inspired Colby to write The Algonquin Kid.^[2]

Career

Colby has written many musicals. Charlotte Sweet received three Drama Desk Award nominations, including one for his lyrics.^[3] North Atlantic won the Show Business Award.^[4] Meester Amerika was chosen for the TRU Musical Theater Reading Series.^[5]

Productions

• North Atlantic (1977) – book; co-lyricist with composer James Fradrich^[6]
• Ludlow Ladd (1979) – libretto; with composer Gerald Jay Markoe^[7]
• Charlotte Sweet (1982) – libretto; with composer Gerald Jay Markoe^[8]
• Mrs. McThing (1984) – book/lyrics; with composer Jack (Jacques) Urbont; based on play by Mary Chase^[9]
• Tales of Tinseltown (1985) – book/lyrics; with composer Paul Katz^[10]
• Slay It With Music (1989) – book/lyrics; with composer Paul Katz^[11]
• Happy Haunting (1992) – libretto; with composer Gerald Jay Markoe^[12]
• The Human Heart (1998) – lyrics; with composer Steven Silverstein & bookwriter Pat Hoag Simon^[13]
• Delphi or Bust (1998) – book/lyrics; with composer Gerald Jay Markoe^[14]
• They Chose Me! (2006) – lyrics/co-book writer; with composer and co-bookwriter Ned Paul Ginsburg^[15]
• Meester America [a.k.a. The 1st Family of 2nd Avenue] (2007) – lyrics; with composer Artie Bressler and bookwriter Jennifer Berman^[16]
• Dangerous (2017) – co-lyricist/co-bookwriter; with John C. Introcaso^[17]
• Boynton Beach Club (2019) – co-lyricist; with composer Ned Paul Ginsberg, bookwriter Susan Seidelman, co-lyricist Cornelia Ravenal; based on film by Susan Seidelman^[18]

Personal life

In 1986, Colby married Andrea Lee Loshin.^[19]

Notes and References

1. News: 2015-03-31 . Finding a Home, and a Muse, at the Algonquin . Kilgannon . Corey . The New York Times . New York, NY . 2020-06-07.
2. Book: Colby, Michael . May 24, 2017. The Algonquin Kid: Adventures Growing Up at New York's Legendary Hotel . Orlando, FL . BearManor Media . 978-1593937928 .
3. Web site: "Charlotte Sweet" in Lortel Archive . Kilgannon . Corey . Lortel Archive . 2020-10-24.
4. Web site: North Atlantic . August 23, 2015 . Pro Play. 2020-10-24.
5. Web site: Meester Amerika Brings Yiddish Theater Back To Life . Broadway World. 2020-10-24.
6. Web site: North Atlantic . August 23, 2015 . Pro Play. 2020-10-24.
7. Web site: 2020-10-24. Ludlow Ladd Operetta. Stage Agent .
8. News: Corry . John . 1982-05-03 . MUSICAL: 'CHARLOTTE SWEET' . The New York Times . New York, NY . 2019-11-21.
9. News: 1984-10-05 . Broadway . Nemy . Enid . The New York Times . New York, NY . 2020-06-07.
10. News: Corry . John . 1985-08-15 . STAGE: A MUSICAL SENDUP, 'TALES OF TINSELTOWN' . The New York Times . New York, NY . 2020-10-24.
11. Web site: August 23, 2015. Slay It With Music - Book & Lyrics by Michael Colby, Music by Paul Katz . Pro Play .
12. Web site: August 20, 2015. Delphi or Bust - Libretto by Michael Colby, Music by Gerald Jay Markoe . Pro Play .
13. Web site: Silverstein . Steven . Steven Silverstein Foundation. Plays .
14. Web site: August 20, 2015. Delphi or Bust - Libretto by Michael Colby, Music by Gerald Jay Markoe . Pro Play .
15. Web site: 2020-10-24. They Chose Me Musical. Stage Agent .
16. Web site: Meester Amerika Brings Yiddish Theater Back To Life . Broadway World. 2020-10-24.
17. News: 2017-10-16 . See Max von Essen, Christopher J. Hanke, Scarlett Strallen at the Reading of New Musical Dangerous . Vine . Hannah . Playbill . New York, NY . 2020-06-07.
18. News: 2019-10-07 . Join the BOYNTON BEACH CLUB . Filichia . Peter . Broadway Select . New York, NY . 2020-10-24.
19. News: 2015-03-31 . Andrea Lee Loshin Plans to Marry Michael Colby . The New York Times . New York, NY . 2020-06-07.