Michael Licata graduated from Fairmont West in 1971. He made his Fairmont debut in the Camelot, as King Arthur's illegitimate son, Mordred. He also appeared in UTBU, Black Comedy/White Liars, and Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl, a role he reprised a couple of times as a professional actor. He went on to the Conservatory of Music at UC and moved to New York to continue what he started at Fairmont West. Except for a between-gig as a Matre'd; at a Theatre Cabaret, he made his living as an actor or director. His acting career took him worldwide, including German-language productions of West Side Story and Evita, as well as several national tours and appearances on Broadway in Evita and Sweet Charity. He also realized a lifelong dream of appearing in The Fantasticks at The Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village.

In the late 1990s, he began transitioning to directing. His last stage appearance was as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street in 2004, until about three weeks ago. He was happily on his way to the Jersey Shore to join his family when he got a call from a Theater in New Jersey, where he had just directed Man of La Mancha. Apparently, the leading man was on his way to the ER, and in less than two hours, the first of two sold-out performances was scheduled to take place. Did he have any ideas? He did- lots of them, but the theatre had another idea and two hours later, he was on the stage, script in hand, in a show he had directed, playing a part, he had never played. 

After 21 years, you don't forget how to ride a bike, although you might fall off once or twice.  Michael lives in Bucks County, PA, with his wife, Lorelei, a former dancer, and their fourteen-year-old great-granddaughter, aspiring actress Layla Brown.