Michael Friedman has passed away
Michael Friedman has passed away
#1Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 7:00pm
Such awful, unexpected news today. Rest in peace to this sensationally, singularly talented man. Thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.
https://twitter.com/EVincentelli/status/906649942952947715
per Michael Paulson, from complications related to HIV/AIDS
https://twitter.com/MichaelPaulson/status/906649896895295490
Been listening to this one on loop, such a tremendous, remarkable, unforgettable body of work he has left us:
https://youtu.be/FN_gp45QxxQ
"He found something that he wanted, had always wanted and always would want— not to be admired, as he had feared; not to be loved, as he had made himself believe; but to be necessary to people, to be indispensable."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise
Updated On: 9/9/17 at 07:00 PM
#2Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 7:23pm
What an immense shame. He won't be forgotten.
#3Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 7:43pm
What a shock! I didn't think people who were (assumably) on treatment died from HIV/AIDS anymore - especially at that age. So sad!
I guess his illness wasn't metaphorical after all, sorry.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#5Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 8:37pm
What a loss. BBAJ is one of those shows I just love immensely , despite it's flaws. All the best to his loved ones.
#6Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 8:37pm
qolbinau said: "What a shock! I didn't think people who were (assumably) on treatment died from HIV/AIDS anymore - especially at that age. So sad!
I guess his illness wasn't metaphorical after all, sorry."
HIV is really a family of viruses, some of which are way more virulent than others 
#8Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 9:39pm
Such a talent. And so young too. Definitely gone too soon. BBAJ remains one of my favorite new scores of recent memory.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#9Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/9/17 at 11:36pm
That's so sad, he was far too young. Did anyone know that he had the disease?
#10Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/10/17 at 12:35am
Such a sad, sudden loss. For some reason all I can listen to is The Tuba Song from his Love's Labor's Lost. All the great work he left behind will be treasured for years to come.
#11Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/11/17 at 1:30am
I noticed he was around for the first summer Encores show but then I did not see him at the 2 shows that followed. I inquired where he was to some staff members but nobody knew commenting that I was observant. RIP...sorry you went so young.....
#12Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/11/17 at 8:13am
I confess surprise that there are only 10 comments to this item; I really thought that he (his work) was more beloved.
raddersons
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/14/13
#13Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/11/17 at 9:43am
This really only hit me now, even though I knew about it all weekend. He was young, his career was just beginning. Very scary. With so many people I know trying to "make it" in this industry, "making it" in any capacity before you die is an achievement, because you don't know when it'll come.
#14Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/11/17 at 9:54am
Well said, raddersons.
I was never familiar with Friedman, but to lose a musical theatre talent so young is always awful. For anyone interested, Wagner College already had Bloody Bloody lined up for its season this year. I'll bet they dedicate the run to him.
http://puccinischronicles.wordpress.com
JustAnotherNewYorker
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/16
#15Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/11/17 at 10:24am
Sad new. He was a talent, and in my limited personal interactions with him also seemed like a mentch.
#16Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/12/17 at 11:55am
newintown said: "I confess surprise that there are only 10 comments to this item; I reallythought that he (his work) was more beloved."
It is beloved- but I don't think his work had a very far reach outside of NYC or the theatrical community. His shows were all short-lived and fairly niche, often by design. I don't think there are that many Civilians obsessives.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
IAMWHATIAM
Broadway Star Joined: 1/31/06
#17Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/12/17 at 12:16pm
Michael's death is very personal for many people I know, especially many young NYC-based artists. The lack of comment here does not in any way negate, invalidate or minimize his work or legacy, or reflect how beloved he is. He's a real person who is being mourned and celebrated in the real world by real people who love and respect him and his work. We should all be so beloved.
Love is Love Love is Love Love is Love Love is Love Love is Love Love is Love
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#18Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/13/17 at 1:00am
I LOVE his music - I love "Pretty Filthy" - but I, for some reason, didn't realize he was so young! I thought he was a much older man. So sad! I adore his work.
#19Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/13/17 at 1:10am
Was lucky enough to have met him only once. Unfortunately outside of BBAJ his work isn't well-known. Been listening to Saved and Pretty Filthy on Youtube. He was really something else.
#20Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/13/17 at 1:43am
Also--hopefully this isn't in bad taste, but, does anyone have a way I could see Pretty Filthy?
#21Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 9/13/17 at 4:36am
Oh my god! I am in shock! You know how much I love and defend BBAJ. This is a Huge loss for musical theatre! I'm stunned!
CPB2
Chorus Member Joined: 7/12/16
#22Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 10/11/17 at 11:22am
Alex Kulak2 said: "That's so sad, he was far too young. Did anyone know that he had the disease?"
He didn't even know until 9 weeks before he passed. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/theater/michael-friedman-aids-death-theater.html
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#24Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 10/11/17 at 11:27am
Eustis even says that it seems Friedman hadn't been tested- or even gone to a doctor- in a long while.
What a tragic- and frustrating- end for someone who had so much to offer and such a bright future.
All the advancements in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment are totally useless if they are not utilized.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#25Michael Friedman has passed away
Posted: 10/11/17 at 12:14pm
A very tragic reminder. Please, please please boys (and girls) - get tested. And get tested often. For that matter - go to a doctor once a year for a routine check up even if you think you're absolutely healthy.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
