Michael Stewart (né Rubin) was born August 1, 1929 to William E. and Kate (Dunitz) Rubin. He was educated at the Yale University School of Drama, from which he received an MFA in 1953. Stewart began his writing career by creating sketches and lyrics for a summer resort, and in 1955 contributed material for the Shoestring Revue (New York, President Theatre, February 28, 1955). He also wrote for the sequel, Shoestring '57 (New York, Barbizon Plaza, November 5, 1956), and for The Littlest Revue (Phoenix, May 22, 1956). From 1955 to 1959 Stewart also wrote for the television series Caesar's Hour on NBC. Stewart's first Broadway play was Bye Bye Birdie, which opened April 14, 1960 at the Martin Beck Theatre, and was the first of several Stewart successes. Almost exactly one year later, Stewart's Carnival, produced by David Merrick, opened at the Imperial Theatre (April 13, 1961). Carnival won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1961. Stewart continued his success in 1964 with Hello, Dolly!, which opened at the St. James Theatre on January 16. Hello, Dolly!, winner of the 1964 Drama Critics Award, was directed by Gower Champion and produced by David Merrick, and like Bye Bye Birdie it was later made into a motion picture. In 1966 Stewart wrote Those That Play the Clowns, followed by George M! (1968), and Mack and Mabel (1974). He has also written novel versions of Bye Bye Birdie, Carnival, and Hello, Dolly!.
