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MICHAEL COLBY (1951 - ) |
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Nationality: USA Email: Click here to contact Website: Click here to visit |
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Literary Agent: n/a |
MICHAEL COLBY is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC, TALES OF TINSELTOWN, DELPHI OR BUST, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), MRS. McTHING, and LUDLOW LADD. 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), lyrics for THE HUMAN HEART (winner of a Billy Rose Foundation grant), and the narration for THE MAYOR MUSICALS, a benefit for Musicals In Concert hosted by Sheldon Harnick. 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, Susan Stroman, Cliff Robertson, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Eric Stoltz, Edie Adams, Phyllis Newman, Donna McKechnie, Mary Cleere Haran, Julie Wilson, and Wilford Brimley. He was also resident lyricist for the children's theatre, On-Stage Children (Hartley House, NYC) and was commissioned to co-write a new musical about adoption for one of NYC's most acclaimed children's companies, Tada!: the highly acclaimed THEY CHOOSE ME! A member of BMI and the Dramatists Guild, Mr. Colby lives in Metuchen NJ with his wife Andrea and son Steven.
Plays by Michael Colby
Androcles and the Lion | ||
| 1st Produced: | Hartley House, NYC | 1978 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7427 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Childrens Musical Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Another Time | ||
| 1st Produced: | Lyric Theatre of New York | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7428 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Adaptation | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Boynton Beach Club | ||
| 1st Produced: | concert reading at Lake Worth, Florida | 10 Feb 2012 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #138489 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 6 | Female | 7 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | written by Ned Paul Ginsburg, Michael Colby, And Susan Seidelman | |||||
Synopsis: | Based On The 2006 Susan Seidelman Movie, Boynton Beach Club | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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C&W | ||
| 1st Produced: | American Theatre of Actors, 314 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 >>> | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7429 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Charlotte Sweet | ||
| 1st Produced: | Cheryl Crawford Theatre (Off-Broadway), NY | 1982 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | licensed through Samuel French Inc, | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7430 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Mock Opera Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 4 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | optional chorus | |||||
Notes: | sequel to Ludlow Ladd. Gerald Jay Markoe, composer | |||||
Synopsis: | In Victorian England, the sweet soprano Charlotte becomes a star of the Circus of Voices, hitting her high notes through addiction to helium balloons. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Delphi Or Bust | ||
| 1st Produced: | Theatre Row Theatre, NYC | 1998 | ||||
Company: | ||||||
| 1st Published: | licensed through Plays and Musicals, Ltd, | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7431 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | mythological musical Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 4 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | Gerald Jay Markoe, composer | |||||
Synopsis: | In Ancient Greece, outspoken soothsayers go on a mythological journey-heading for Delphi, where auditions are being held for a new oracle. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Golden Dreams | ||
| 1st Produced: | - - - | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7432 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Happy Hunting | ||
| 1st Produced: | Harry Warren Theatre, Brooklyn NY | 1992 | ||||
Company: | Irene Ryan Repertory | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7433 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 4 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | Gerald Jay Markoe, composer. Winner of Billy Rose Foundation grant | |||||
Synopsis: | Part III of the "Ludlow Ladd/Charlotte Sweet" trilogy. A murder mystery in the tradition of HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, where madness and mayhem strike guests at a Halloween party in turn-of-the-Century England | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Harlequin and Company | ||
| 1st Produced: | Hartley House, NYC | 1979 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7434 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Childrens Musical Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Human Heart, The | ||
| 1st Produced: | Marymount Manhattan College | 1998 | ||||
Company: | Marymount Manhattan College Theatre Department | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7435 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Serio-comic musical Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 6 | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | Steven Silverstein composer; Pat Hoag Simon librettist; Michael Colby lyrics | |||||
Synopsis: | about manic depression and the "Prozac Generation." | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Ludlow Ladd | ||
| 1st Produced: | The Lyric Theatre of NY (off-off Broadway) | 1979 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | licensed through Drama Source, | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7436 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | All sung Christmas musical Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 4 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | Gerald Jay Markoe, composer. Tada! Theatre (ShaRell Productions) expanded version, 2006. http://hometown.aol.com/ludlow29/ludlowladd.html | |||||
Synopsis: | An all-sung Christmas satire. On Christmas Eve, in Dickensian Liverpool, the or-orphan boy, Ludlow Ladd wanders the chilly streets. It is the night of his birth and a mediocre couple, the Grimbles, agree to take him home with them. Once at the Grimble hearth, Ludlow makes a nuisance of himself. Enraged, the Grimbles sentence Ludlow to a supper-less evening. Ludlow dozes and has a splendiferous Christmas dream whereby the Christmas tree is transformed into the magical Missus Pinecones. He is whisked to the merry Land of Yuletide Cheer and helped to find the key to his happiness. As Ludlow wakes, his dream has revealed a way to find true hap-happiness with the Grimbles, who are awed by his miraculous experience and accept him as their own son. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Meester Amerika | ||
| 1st Produced: | The Garage Theatre in Teaneck, NJ | 2009 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #67023 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | musical comedy Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 6 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | Optional chorus of 2-6 | |||||
Notes: | Artie Bressler, Composer; Jennifer Berman, Book; lyrics Michael Colby. Finalist for the 2007 New Jewish Theatre Grant (given by the National Foundation for Jewish Culture) and one of the winning musicals in The 7th Annual TRU Musicals Reading Series | |||||
Synopsis: | A warm and funny evocation of 1920s Yiddish theatre-including the premiere performing family of 2nd Avenue, and the jazz-singing son who really wants to become a cantor | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Mrs McThing | ||
| 1st Produced: | Goodspeed-at-Chester (Connecticut). | 1984 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7437 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | magical musical Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 4 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | 1b 1g, Chorus of 4 to 6 (half female, half male) | |||||
Notes: | Jack Urbont, composer | |||||
Synopsis: | Based on Mary (HARVEY) Chase's hit play: rich woman wants her bratty son to be perfect; bratty son wants to be a gangster; mischievous witch intercedes. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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North Atlantic | ||
| 1st Produced: | Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, New York, NY 10012 >>> | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | New Theatre Publications, 2000 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7438 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Golden Age Musical Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 3 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | chorus | |||||
Notes: | James Fradrich, composer. http://hometown.aol.com/ludlow29/northatlantic.html; Winner of Show Business Award, Outstanding Theatre Production | |||||
Synopsis: | North Atlantic is an affectionate multi-level spoof of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals: set in Eskimo land. With South Pacific as its closest touchstone, this family musical features elements reminiscent of all the entire Rogers and Hammerstein catalogue. Set somewhere in the mysterious North Atlantic, it takes place sometime after World War II. It tells how Honey Snodgrass and Melanie Fong, members of the Ioway branch of the Teaching Corps, find romance, bigotry, and a dream ballet in this exotic region. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Olmsted! | ||
| 1st Produced: | St. Clement's, NYC | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7439 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Passing Fancy | ||
| 1st Produced: | - - - | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7440 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Ragtime Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: |
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Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Slay It With Music | ||
| 1st Produced: | Actors Outlet (off-off Broadway), NY | 1989 | ||||
Company: | Broadway Tomorrow | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7441 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | black comedy Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | possible chorus 2-6 | |||||
Notes: | Paul Katz, composer | |||||
Synopsis: | A looney thriller about aging, sibling movie queens, one making a comeback in a 60's slasher movie; music and mayhem; "Grande Dame Guignol." | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Tales Of Tinseltown | ||
| 1st Produced: | The Directors Company (off-off Broadway), NY | 1985 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | licensed through Plays and Musicals, Ltd., | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #7442 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | movieland musical Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 4 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | optional chorus 2-6 | |||||
Notes: | Paul Katz, composer | |||||
Synopsis: | Evocation of 1930s movie musicals & fanzines-featuring Hollywood Babylon-style expose of actress who rockets to fame doing animal imitations. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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They Changed Broadway | ||
| 1st Produced: | The Excelsior Dinner Theatre, Route 9 South, Manalapan, New Jersey | 08 Jun 2011 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #129025 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 3 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | Written by Michael Colby and featuring songs by Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Jule Styne, and many other composers and lyricists familiar to theatre-goers and music lovers alike, They Changed Broadway is the story of immigrants and children of immigrants, who brought feeling, sophistication and love for America to Broadway audiences, through their words and music. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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They Chose Me! | ||
| 1st Produced: | 2006 | |||||
Company: | TADA! | |||||
| 1st Published: | Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 2006 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #60809 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | 60 min Musical One Act | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | 5-7 boys, 10-16 girls | |||||
Notes: | with music by Ned Paul Ginsburg, lyrics by Michael Colby, book by Colby & Ginsberg | |||||
Synopsis: | They Chose Me! follows a group of kids that all have one thing in commonbeing adopted! A funny, heart-warming musical, They Chose Me! tells the touching stories of adoption from the perspective of young people. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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