Michael Colby, Michael Lavine and Neva Small Are Available for Interviews

Michael Lavine and Michael Colby are two Jewish men located in the New York metropolitan area. They live musical theatre history and apply what they know to every show.

Michael Lavine is an aggressively sought-after Broadway and Off-Broadway musical director and coach who just happens to be the custodian of the world’s largest collection of musical theatre sheet music.

Michael Colby is an acclaimed lyricist/librettist, musical theatre historian, and performer who, as a young boy, grew up skittering about at knee-level of the iconic authors, songwriters, playwrights, directors and actors that met regularly at his grandparent’s New York hotel--the Algonquin.

But that’s not the whole story.

The story is how these two men connected. How each carved out a successful niche in modern musical theatre. And, how they have come together, again, to pull together the script, music and actors--including Tony nominated Jonathan C. Kaplan and Neva Small, “Chava” from the original film version of “Fiddler on the Roof” among others- to perform in “They Changed Broadway: From Berlin to Bernstein and Beyond”, a one-night only June 13th Tony Award night performance at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen.

For more information about the show visit http://www.theychangedbroadway.blogspot.com/  or call (732) 548-2238.

To schedule interviews with Michael Colby, Michael Lavine, and Neva Small contact Michael Colby at 732-494-2659; Ludlow29@aol.com ; or http://www.michaelcolby.com/.

Neve Shalom's "They Changed Broadway" Seating Chart Revised

A big apology to everyone spent time scratching his or her head while looking at the previously posted Forum Theatre Seating chart for the one-night only performance of "They Changed Broadway: From Berlin to Bernstein and Beyond- The Jewish Contribution to the American Musical". 

Yup, I got it wrong.  There was a mix up on the row sequencing.  But it is corrected now!  (Yes.  The left side seating really does go from 'A' to 'P' then 'R', then 'Q'. 

Anyway, you should have no worries now about ordering tickets for the revue and finding someone else sitting in your seat!

Buy your tickets now and receive an advance ticket purchase discount, then enjoy this professionally written, directed and acted revue June 13th, 4:00 P.M. at the Forum Theatre (314 Main Street, Metuchen).

See you there!

Meet the Modern Day Male Yenta of Musical Theatre

Meet the Modern Day Male Yenta of Musical Theatre

Ever wonder why “Fiddler on the Roof” is one of the most frequently revived Broadway musicals even though it was not considered a hit during the original tryout? Maybe you’re wondering what Chava is up to now? Ask Michael Colby.

Do you have a song stuck in your head from that ride up the elevator to your morning meeting that you know comes from a classic Broadway musical but you can just barely see the face of the actor as she crosses the stage and can’t remember the name of the play, the song or the actor? Ask Michael.

Want to know what the young, handsome, talented Tony nominated boy from “Falsettos” is up to these days? Ask Michael.

In the “Fiddler on the Roof” script, Yenta is the old-world Eastern European match-maker who makes it her business to know everyone else’s business. In 2010, that might be Michael Colby’s job albeit in a less intrusive way-- at least when it comes to Jews in musical theatre.

You see, Michael is a musical theatre historian, librettist/lyricist and performer; and he knows what everyone in musical theatre is up to. His Facebook® friend list includes around 1,000 people--more than half of whom are plugged in to musical theatre.

Sit down with Michael and you will learn that “West Side Story”, the classic play and movie about a forbidden love between a Puerto Rican Girl and a tough white kid from the streets of New York was originally written about a Jewish boy’s tragically fated romance with a Catholic girl.

Spend a little more time and you learn that Nora Bayes who sang and wrote “Shine On Harvest Moon” was born Dora Goldberg; or that Ed Wynn--especially remembered for his role in the 1956 "Playhouse 90" television drama "Requiem for a Heavyweight" and his role as “Uncle Albert” in the film “Mary Poppins”--was born Edwin Leopold.

The Jewish contribution to the American Musical goes well-beyond turn of the century Yiddish Theatre--revolutionizing the writing and acting in such memorable shows as “Show Boat,” “Pal Joey,” “Oklahoma!”, “Carousel”, and even “Cocoanuts” starring the Marx Brothers.

And Michael Colby can tell you all about it. So, it seemed natural to ask Michael to help put together a musical revue of the Jewish Contribution to the American Musical for a one-night only June 13th fund-raising event to benefit the social and educational services provided to the Middlesex County, New Jersey area by Congregation Neve Shalom.

Michael has woven 100+ years of stage and screen musical theatre into a truly unique 2 hour experience; and pulled together a small, dedicated and truly talented group of Jewish acting professionals including Leah Horowitz (“Les Miserable”, “La Cage Aux Folles”), Jonathan C. Kaplan (Tony nominated for “Falsettos”) and Neva Small (“The Impossible Years”, “Something’s Afoot”, and Chava in the film version “Fiddler on the Roof”) to help bring the experience to life.

The performance is scheduled for 4:00PM, June 13th at the Forum Theatre on Main Street in Metuchen, New Jersey- a quick walk from the Metuchen Train Station.

Seating is limited. Tickets are on sale now.

To schedule interviews with Michael Colby, Michael Lavine (musical director), and Neva Small contact Michael Colby at 732-494-2659; Ludlow29@aol.com; or www.MichaelColby.com

For more information about the show visit www.theychangedbroadway.blogspot.com or call (732) 548-2238.

A Sneak Peak at the Iconic Women, Men and Music Behind the Jewish Contribution to the American Musical

Planning Something Special For the Tony's

Traffic.  Noise.  Tolls.  Parking.

It's not a haiku.  (Come on... the syllables don't even line up correctly!)

It's the trade-off you make when you live in the New York City Metro area and want to do something different for the Tony's.  Sure.  You can just hang out in front of the T.V. 

Or...You can see an original show, featuring Broadway actors, meet the stars, and have a terrific dinner without leaving Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Spotlights.  Red Carpet.  Stars.

"They Changed Broadway" is shaping up to be the Metuchen, New Jersey event of 2010.

Browse around and read about the fantastic cast lined up for this one-night only performance:  Leah Horowitz, Jonathan C. Kaplan and Neva Small- all appearing courtesy of the Actors Equity Association- with stage and musical direction by Michael Goldfried and Michael Lavine based on Michael Colby's script documenting the Jewish contribution to the American Musical in way you've never seen before.

There are Limited Seats and Tickets are on Sale NOW!