The Algonquin Kid: Michael Elihu Colby

Annamaria Alfieri | August 17, 2015

The Algonquin Kid

by Michael Elihu Colby

August 17, 2015

Reviewed by Annamaria Alfieri for Cabaret Scenes

By virtue of his grandparents’ ownership of the venerable Algonquin Hotel, Michael Colby spent a great deal of his childhood in the historic building at historic times. This catalog of the people who passed through his young life comes with thumbnail sketches of their careers, all taken from his point of view. Best of all are the photographs of the denizens of the hotel and memorabilia of its past.

Aficionados of Broadway and New York history and researchers into the past of the Big Apple’s entertainment scene will find many nuggets to mine in this detailed retelling. The book comes with a complete index and notes on its sources, as well as a bibliography of Algonquin related books and articles, making this compendium of history all the more valuable.

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