Michael Stewart (August 1, 1924 – September 20, 1987) was an American playwright and dramatist, librettist, lyricist, screenwriter and novelist.
Life and career Born MyronMitchell Loebel, 1st cousin Stuart Rubin in Manhattan, Stewart attended Queens College, and graduated from the Yale School of Drama with a Master of Fine Arts in 1953.Gerard, Jeremy. "Michael Stewart Is Dead 63; Author of Broadway Musicals" The New York Times, September 21, 1987, Section B, p.16
His early work was writing sketches for the revues The Shoestring Revue (1955),The Shoestring Revue. BroadWayWorld.com, accessed January 3, 2011 The Littlest Revue (1956),The Littlest Revue. BroadWayWorld.com, accessed January 3, 2011 and Shoestring '57 (1956, Barbizon-Plaza, New York).Funke, Lewis. "Theatre: 'Shoestring '57': New Revue Arrives at the Barbizon-Plaza", The New York Times, November 6, 1956, p.31 He then joined the staff writers of Sid Caesar's television program, Caesar's Hour.
He met Charles Strouse and Lee Adams in 1954, and several years after collaborated with them and Gower Champion on the 1960 Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie. He worked again with Champion and Jerry Herman, with their musical Hello, Dolly! opening on Broadway in 1964.
Stewart died on September 20, 1987, in New York City. Jule Styne said of him: "He was an extremely talented and knowledgeable man of the theater. He was one of the great musical-theater writers, and his string of hits showed that." Stewart's sister was writer Francine Pascal and brother Burt Rubin.Burt Rubin, son of William and Kate Rubin and brother to Michael Stewart. "Michael Stewart Is Dead 63; Author of Broadway Musicals", The New York Times, September 21, 1987, Section B, p.16
Theatre credits Candide (1959) — operetta (revisions for London production) Bye Bye Birdie (1960) — musical — bookwriter — Tony Award for Best Musical Carnival! (1961) — musical — bookwriter — Tony Nomination for Best Musical, Tony Nomination for Best Author of a Musical Hello, Dolly! (1964) — musical — bookwriter — Tony Award for Best Author of a Musical Those That Play the Clowns (1966) — play — playwright George M! (1968) — musical — co-bookwriter with sister Francine Pascal and her husband John Pascal Mack and Mabel (1974) — musical — bookwriter — Tony Nomination for Best Book of a Musical I Love My Wife (1977) — musical — lyricist and bookwriter — Tony Nomination for Best Original Score, Tony Nomination for Best Book of a Musical The Grand Tour (1979) — musical — co-bookwriter Barnum (1980) — musical — lyricist — Tony Nomination for Best Original Score 42nd Street (1980) — musical — co-bookwriter — Tony Co-Nomination for Best Book of a Musical Bring Back Birdie (1981) — musical — bookwriter Pieces of Eight (1985) — music — co-bookwriter, Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Canada and closed out of town. Harrigan 'n Hart (1985) — musical — bookwriter — Tony Nomination for Best Book of a MusicalRich, Frank."Stage:'Harrigan 'n Hart' Opens at the Longacre" The New York Times, February 1, 1985
Notes
External links Internet Broadway Database
Michael Stewart papers, 1948-1987, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts