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Michael Stewart (playwright) facts for kids

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Michael Stewart
Born Myron Rubin
(1924-08-01)August 1, 1924
New York City, U.S.
Died September 20, 1987(1987-09-20) (aged 63)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation Playwright, librettist
Education City University of New York, Queens (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
Period 1955–1985
Genre Musical theatre
Notable works
  • Bye Bye Birdie (1960)
  • Carnival! (1961)
  • Hello, Dolly! (1964)
  • George M! (1968)
  • Mack and Mabel (1974)
  • Barnum (1980)
  • 42nd Street (1980)
Notable awards
Relatives Francine Pascal (sister)
John Pascal (brother-in-law)

Michael Stewart (born Myron Stuart Rubin; August 1, 1924 – September 20, 1987) was a talented American writer. He was famous for writing the stories and words for many popular Broadway musicals. He also wrote plays, movie scripts, and novels.

Life and Career of Michael Stewart

Michael Stewart was born in New York City. He studied at Queens College and later earned a special degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1953. This education helped him become a great writer for the stage.

Early Writing Days

Stewart started his career by writing short comedy scenes for shows like The Shoestring Revue. These were small, funny performances. Later, he joined the writing team for a TV show called Caesar's Hour, starring Sid Caesar. This gave him a lot of experience in comedy writing.

Broadway Successes

In 1954, Michael Stewart met Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, who wrote music and lyrics. A few years later, they worked together with director Gower Champion on a musical called Bye Bye Birdie. This show opened on Broadway in 1960 and was a huge hit! It even won a Tony Award for Best Musical.

Stewart then worked with Gower Champion again, along with composer Jerry Herman. Their musical, Hello, Dolly!, opened on Broadway in 1964. It became one of the most famous musicals ever and also won a Tony Award for Best Musical. Stewart himself won a Tony Award for writing the story for Hello, Dolly!.

Later Life and Legacy

Michael Stewart passed away in New York City on September 20, 1987. Another famous composer, Jule Styne, said that Stewart was a very talented and smart person in the world of theater. He called him "one of the great musical-theater writers" because he had so many successful shows. Michael Stewart's sister, Francine Pascal, is also a well-known writer.

Michael Stewart's Theatre Works

Here are some of the musicals and plays Michael Stewart wrote or helped write:

  • Bye Bye Birdie (1960) — This musical was about a rock and roll star. Stewart wrote the story, and it won a Tony Award for Best Musical.
  • Carnival! (1961) — He wrote the story for this musical. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Author.
  • Hello, Dolly! (1964) — Stewart wrote the story for this very popular musical. He won a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for it.
  • Those That Play the Clowns (1966) — This was a play, not a musical, that Stewart wrote.
  • George M! (1968) — He helped write the story for this musical with his sister Francine Pascal and her husband John Pascal.
  • Mack and Mabel (1974) — Stewart wrote the story for this musical. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.
  • I Love My Wife (1977) — For this musical, he wrote both the story and the song lyrics. It was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical.
  • The Grand Tour (1979) — He helped write the story for this musical.
  • Barnum (1980) — Stewart wrote the lyrics for this musical. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score.
  • 42nd Street (1980) — He helped write the story for this musical, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.
  • Bring Back Birdie (1981) — Stewart wrote the story for this musical.
  • Harrigan 'n Hart (1985) — He wrote the story for this musical, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.
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