David Friedman

Get David Friedman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

David Friedman BIO

David Friedman is a multi-talented artist who has made a name for himself in the Broadway community as a composer, lyricist, and pianist. Born in New York City in 1950, Friedman began playing the piano at the age of four and was composing music by the time he was six. He attended the Manhattan School of Music and later the Juilliard School, where he studied piano and composition.

Friedman made his Broadway debut in 1983 as the conductor and pianist for the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He went on to work on several other Broadway productions, including "Song and Dance," "The Rink," "Scandalous," and "Desperate Measures." In addition to his work on Broadway, Friedman has also composed music for a number of off-Broadway productions, including "Listen to My Heart," "King Island Christmas," and "Stunt Girl."

Friedman is perhaps best known for his work as a composer and lyricist for the Disney animated film "Aladdin." He co-wrote the song "You're Only Second Rate" for the film's villain, Jafar, and contributed additional lyrics to the film's hit song "A Whole New World," which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Friedman also wrote the music and lyrics for the off-Broadway musical "The Marvelous Wonderettes," which has become a popular choice for high school and community theater productions.

In addition to his work in theater and film, Friedman has also had success as a recording artist. He has released several albums of his own music, including "The David Friedman Trio Plays Rodgers and Hammerstein," "We Can Be Kind," and "Let Me Fly." He has also collaborated with other artists, including jazz singer Lynn Loosier and Broadway star Liz Callaway.

Friedman has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for "The Marvelous Wonderettes" and the MAC Award for Song of the Year for "Listen to My Heart." He has also been nominated for several Emmy Awards for his work on television, including the theme song for the daytime talk show "Sally Jessy Raphael" and the score for the PBS documentary "The Civil War."

In addition to his work as a composer and lyricist, Friedman is also a respected educator. He has taught at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and the Manhattan School of Music, and has led workshops and master classes around the world. He is the author of several books on songwriting and creativity, including "The Thought Exchange" and "The Gift of Song."

Despite his many accomplishments, Friedman remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He is known for his generosity and willingness to help other artists, and has been a mentor to many young composers and songwriters. He continues to work on new projects and collaborate with other artists, and his music remains a beloved part of the Broadway and off-Broadway canon.

David Friedman Photos

David Friedman STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer

[Broadway]
1954
Ensemble

David Friedman Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Original Music
 
[West End, 1997]
Vocal Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Supervisor
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Musical Director
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Musical Director
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Director
Musician
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Musical Director
Vocal Music Arranger
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1975]
Musical Director
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1968]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Musical Director
Vocal Music Arranger
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Director
 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 1975]
Musical Director

Writing

Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer

David Friedman Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Music

David Friedman, Desperate Measures

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding New Score

David Friedman, Desperate Measures

David Friedman Videos

David Friedman News


Alice Ripley and John McDaniel to Perform at Birdland in April

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Tony Award-winning singer and actress Alice Ripley and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musical director and pianist John McDaniel in concert. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Maria Corsaro Brings An Encore Of WHY NOT? To Chelsea Table + Stage This April

Maria Corsaro will present reimagined arrangements of jazz standards along with beloved, but rarely performed jazz songs written by some of the most influential composers and lyricists of this great American art form.

Maria Corsaro Will Bring WHY NOT? to Chelsea Table + Stage

Maria Corsaro will present reimagined arrangements of jazz standards along with beloved, but rarely performed jazz songs written by some of the most influential composers and lyricists of this great American art form.

Developmental Readings of BORDELLO THE MUSICAL Set For This Week

 The York Theatre Company will present developmental readings of Bordello, The Musical, with book by Barbara Bellman and Joan Ross Sorkin, music by Emiliano Messiez, lyrics by Barbara Bellman, music direction by Steven Gross and directed by Will Pomerantz.

BORDELLO, THE MUSICAL To Have York Theatre Company Developmental Readings

Bordello, The Musical is set to have developmental readings at York Theatre Company on February 29 and March 1.

Review: DESPERATE MEASURES at Constellation Theatre

DESPERATE MEASURES, now playing at DC’s Constellation Theatre, takes Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE, adds a slew of songs, and reimagines the story in America’s Western territory of present-day Arizona in the late 1890s.

Broadway Composer David Friedman Collaborates on New Digital Children's Musical Series

What do you get when a massage therapist teams up with a Disney songwriter? Find out in the new musical children's series, Christina's Cottage, designed to teach mindfulness and resilience in a chaotic world.

Westport Country Playhouse Presents VOICES FOR VOLUNTEERS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY �" AN APPRECIATION PERFORMANCE

“Voices for Volunteers of Fairfield County – An Appreciation Performance” will celebrate community volunteers with a concert by musical theater talents, many originally from the local area, on Wednesday, January 24, at 7:30 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse. 

See Karen Mason, James Barbour & More at Birdland This Holiday Season

Get into the holiday spirit with the exciting holiday programming at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater. Enjoy live performances and festive music in the heart of New York City.

James Barbour to Return to Birdland With Annual Holiday Concert in December

Birdland presents James Barbour, acclaimed Broadway leading man, with the return of his annual Holiday Concert. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Edmund Bagnell to Perform HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS at Birdland Theater in December

BIRDLAND THEATER will present singer and violinist Edmund Bagnell in “Home for the Holidays” on Thursday, December 7 at 8:30 PM.

54 Below To Present New Holiday Show With Sullivan, Sullivan, Harnar & Murray Next Month

Join KT SULLIVAN, JEFF HARNAR, STACY SULLIVAN, and TODD MURRAY for a festive evening of holiday songs at 54 BELOW with WE LOVE THE WINTER WEATHER Songs of the Holidays. Get all the performance details here!

Birdland to Present 14th Annual A SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS This Holiday Season

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the 14th Annual “A Swinging Birdland Christmas” for five performances from Thursday, December 21 to Monday, December 25 at 5:30 PM.

Maria Corsaro to Present I COULD GET USED TO THIS! at Chelsea Table + Stage in November

Maria Corsaro will present her new show 'I Could Get Used to This!' at Chelsea Table + Stage, Thursday, November 9th at 7:00 PM. 

OPERA America Awards Deborah Brevoort The Annual Campbell Opera Librettist Prize

OPERA America has announced the 2023 Campbell Opera Librettist Prize recipient, Deborah Brevoort. Conceived and funded by acclaimed librettist and lyricist Mark Campbell, the Prize is the first award in the history of American opera created specifically to honor the work of opera librettists. The annual winner receives an award of $7,000 to support creative development and career advancement.

Review: DESPERATE MEASURES at The Winter Park Playhouse

Sometimes a production comes along that finds the perfect synergy between content, cast and creative vision ultimately delivering an elevated theatrical experience. And when that show is lesser known, but wildly entertaining that makes this perfect alignment seem even more rare. I am thrilled to say that The Winter Park Playhouse has found just such a production in DESPERATE MEASURES, the final offering in its 20th season. This rollicking, hilarious and superbly performed musical comedy is sure to thrill and shows off why The Winter Park Playhouse is truly a gem in the Orlando theatre community.

Marimba / Vibraphone Virtuoso Taiko Saito Wins Jazzpreis Berlin 2023

Berlin-based marimba and vibraphone virtuoso Taiko Saito has been awarded the Jazzpreis Berlin 2023 from Der Rundfunk Berlin-rbbKultur and the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. The EUR 15,000 prize will be awarded during a concert on July 3 at 8 p.m. in Studio 14 of the rbb, and the concert will be broadcast live on the rbbKultur radio station.

Summer Theatre New Canaan Gala Honors Broadway's David Friedman & Paul Gallo May 13

Summer Theatre of New Canaan (CT) Honorees: Broadway/Movie composer, Songwriter, Music Director David Friedman and Lighting Designer Paul Gallo, who has lit over 50 Broadway shows

Winter Park Playhouse Presents DESPERATE MEASURES Next Month

Closing the highly successful Winter Park Playhouse 20th Anniversary Series, the Off-Broadway hit - Desperate Measures - makes its way to the theatre's Mainstage May 12 - June 11, 2023. 

Photos/Video: Watch Highlights from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' Easter Bonnet Competition

The theater community rallied together once again with spirited skits, dynamic dance and brilliant bonnets as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ Easter Bonnet Competition returned April 24 and 25, 2023. The performances celebrated in-theater Red Bucket appeals that raised $3,601,355 for meals and medication, health care and hope for those who need them most.

David Friedman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has David Friedman been in?

David Friedman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has David Friedman been in?

David Friedman has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has David Friedman been nominated for?

David Friedman has been nominated for Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Desperate Measures" and Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Desperate Measures."

What awards has David Friedman won?

David Friedman has won the Outstanding Music award at the Drama Desk Awards for Desperate Measures.

How many shows has David Friedman written?

David Friedman has written 5 shows including Heaven's Sake (Composer), Listen to My Heart (Composer), Chasing Nicolette (Composer), Desperate Measures (Composer), The Aimee Project (Composer).

Get David Friedman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos