Michael Rice graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1977 with an emphasis on classical piano. A resident of New York City, he has written, with Eric Bentley, an adaptation of Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan, which received its New York premiere in 1998 (originally produced at the Arkansas Rep in 1985). He provided music for the 1983 Best Documentary film He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' which featured Jacques d'Amboise. He was arranger and original musical director for off-Broadway's Nunsense, Nunsense II, Balancing Act and Sister Amnesia's Nunsense Jamboree, all by Dan Goggin, and was musical conductor for the world premieres of American Vaudeville and Marathon Dancing, both directed by Anne Bogart. In 1996 he made his off-Broadway acting debut in Radio Gals. He continues to teach in New York and to conduct and perform in Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatres. He was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for achievement in theatre and is a member of The Dramatists Guild.
