Colin K. Gregory: A Renaissance Man

By Deb Lehman

C.K. Gregory is an award-winning children’s book author, sales manager, radio personality for WGPA, and has worked in many areas of theatre and the media, both in front and behind the scenes from the 1970s through the 1990s. Gregory will appear at the Easton Area Public Library on October 29 as part of the Easton Book Festival. He will be reading and signing copies of his award-winning picture book, Mr. Sunnyside: Imagination, and will also be involved in panel discussions.

Mr. Sunnyside is about a young boy named Tommy, who is stuck at home on a rainy day and needs help making breakfast. An eggstrordinary egg called Mr. Sunnyside comes to his rescue—but only Tommy can see him.

“My reason for writing these books is to teach children how to use their imaginations creatively,” said Gregory. “Children are like eggshells: they’re fragile and vulnerable and need tender loving care. I hope all my books will help children better manage and make sense of their lives in this troubled post-Pandemic world.”

His grandchildren also inspire him to write.

“We’re cartoon creatures and love to dress as our favorite animated characters when we get together,” Gregory said.

During his theatrical heyday, Gregory was employed by Joseph Papp, theatrical producer and director, who established The Public Theater in New York City. Gregory worked on such notable

Broadway productions as The Chorus Line and The Pirates of Penzance.

“I loved spending Papp’s money and shopping with many celebrated set designers on and off Broadway,” continued Gregory. “While working with Santo Loquasto, a production, scenic, and costume designer for stage, film, and dance, I earned the nickname of “Psycho Shopper.” I also had the pleasure of meeting many famous actors such as Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, and Morgan Freeman.

Nowadays he’s a happily married husband and grandfather who lives in Pennsylvania and is busy working as a sales manager/sports commentator for WGPA Sunny 1100 AM radio, Bethlehem.

“I love working with the community and covering local sports such as baseball and football,” he said.

Be sure to look for CK at the Easton Book Festival where he will be dressed in a Big NAZO costume! Big NAZO is an Intergalactic Creature Band of mutant musicians, alien go-go dancers, and rowdy robots who invite audience participation.