Local man puts words to the music

Michael Colby of Metuchen is the lyricist for a new musical, "Meester Amerika," which opens Feb. 12 at the Garage Theatre in Teaneck.

Michael Colby The show is a sort of reverse "Jazz Singer," showcasing a 1920s couple from a royal family of Yiddish (Russian Jewish culture) theater and their son, who could be the next Al Jolson but yearns to be a cantor. The show was one of the winning musicals in the seventh annual TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series.

"He wants to be in the theater world, but he really is searching for God," Colby said in a telephone interview with the Sentinel.

The show, written by Jennifer Berman with music by Artie Bressler, was written before Colby joined as lyricist.

Ironically, Colby has much in common with the show's characters. His grandparents owned New York City's Algonquin Hotel between 1946 and 1987, and he spent much of his childhood there, meeting famous musicians and actors. His grandfather also told him stories about the people of that fascinating era, and of the time when the semi-retired hotelier moved to South Carolina and opened a deli there. George Gershwin spent time there while doing research for "Porgy and Bess" and hung out at Colby's grandfather's deli.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL COLBY Michael Colby (r), a Metuchen resident, is the lyricist for a new musical, "Meester Amerika," opening Feb. 12 in Teaneck. "My parents didn't want me to go into show business," Colby said. "I was very lucky. I was surrounded by legends of the movie and theater world."

The Long Island, N.Y., native moved to Metuchen 14 years ago with his wife and

son. He said he likes being able to walk around Metuchen and enjoy a variety of ethnic cuisine in downtown restaurants. His son graduated from Metuchen High School, and Colby has been involved in theater productions at Neve Shalom, the synagogue to which his family belongs. Colby also works as a substitute teacher in Metuchen and Highland Park.

"I love that Metuchen has so many cultures," Colby said. "At the same time, everyone knows each other."

Colby sometimes writes the lyrics first, creating storylines, and other times he has written lyrics to fit the story. His other credits include "Charlotte Sweet" (for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for outstanding lyrics), "Tales of Tinseltown" at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, and special material for a Paper Mill Playhouse production of "Animal Crackers."

In the case of "Meester Amerika," the book was written and they needed a lyricist. After years of songwriting and a difficult climate for musical theater, he now only takes on new projects when there is a specific offer.

"What attracted me to this piece was the way it's a farce with quirky characters," Colby said. "That's my life experience. I like when things are heading in one direction and then they take a completely different turn. … It takes a cliché and turns it around."

Colby's affection for comic books may be one reason he's often drawn to broad comedy and dark musicals — he still remembers seeing and loving "Cabaret."

"It's a musical that taught a lesson," he said of the original and not the revival. "We saw people sinking into this siren's song and how prejudice can take root. I was incredibly entertained and informed at the same time."

He said several of his characters often display comic book influences, and one day a character might follow in his footsteps — selling off a comic collection to finance a greater passion. In his case, it was to get an early production financed.

Colby's upcoming projects include "Boynton Beach Club," a musical version of the hit film he's co-writing with filmmaker Susan Seidelman.