Maria Friedman News

Fresh and funny, Payback The Musical, with a sharp, original script and catchy score, recaptures the excitement of the very best traditional musicals. A new performance for the stage amongst revivals, this 2016 tale of love stretches from Brazil to England. Featuring a blend of jazz, Latin and traditional ballads, it's a wry, contemporary look at today's celebrity and story hungry media culture.

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Following a highly praised run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Maria Friedman's directorial debut of Merrily We Roll Along transferred beautifully to a larger space, enjoying a strictly limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre until June 1.

The full cast is announced today as rehearsals begin for the West End transfer of the stunning Menier Chocolate Factory production of the Sondheim/ Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along. Directed by triple Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman, previews begin at the Harold Pinter Theatre on Tuesday 23rd April.

On June 3, 2013, at the Hudson Theatre, 145 West 44th Street, the American Cancer Society celebrates its 100th birthday with a tribute to the legendary Marvin Hamlisch.

To celebrate the West End transfer of the Chocolate Factory's hit production, fans are being given the chance to win a pair of tickets to Merrily We Roll Along!

Bay Area Cabaret will present the singer, songwriter, and actress Nellie McKay in a special performance with San Francisco's multiple Grammy winning a cappella ensemble, Chanticleer.

Bay Area Cabaret presents the Bay Area concert debut of Britain's dazzling Elaine Paige. Dubbed 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre,' Ms. Paige will perform an evening of the career-defining showstoppers that earned her a place among Broadway and the West End's most treasured performers.

Broadway and West End producer Adam Blanshay announces the launch of Just For Laughs Theatricals.

Bay Area Cabaret will present the singer, songwriter, and actress Nellie McKay in a special performance with San Francisco's multiple Grammy winning a cappella ensemble, Chanticleer.

Following a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre for 12 weeks only 100 stalls and dress circle seats at £25 available for every performance until 1 June*

Bay Area Cabaret presents the Bay Area concert debut of Britain's dazzling Elaine Paige. Dubbed 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre,' Ms. Paige will perform an evening of the career-defining showstoppers that earned her a place among Broadway and the West End's most treasured performers.

Fresh from her directorial debut of the Chocolate Factory's smash hit production of 'Merrily We Roll Along', three-time Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman sings 'Lenny & Steve' at The Pheasantry for just six performances.

Before the well-loved musical that is Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, there was the original play, written in 1934 by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart. Although rarely revived, the play was the inspiration for Sondheim and Furth's piece. Focusing on the lifelong friendship of three characters, the play tells their story in reverse time, from 1934 to 1916, and is a poignant and bittersweet reflection of life, love and loss.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Menier Chocolate Factory's current production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along will transfer to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre in April.

Adrian Lester and Hattie Morahan took the prizes for Best Actor and Actress at today's Critics' Circle awards, hosted by Mark Shenton and introduced by comedian Arthur Smith, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London.

Earlier this week, the New York Philharmonic was joined by Marvin Hamlisch's friends and collaborators, including Joshua Bell, Raúl Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Maria Friedman, Josh Groban, Megan Hilty, Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, and Frederica von Stade for a special New Year's Eve concert saluting the late composer-conductor. Paul Gemignani conducted and Lonny Price directed the performance, which was hosted by Audra McDonald.

2012 marked the passing of a number of notable entertainment icons whose influence will be felt for centuries to come, yet unquestionably one of the most pertinent people to pass on insofar as Broadway babies were concerned given his considerable contributions to musical theatre (and far, far beyond) was the one and only EGOT-plus recipient himself - that is: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony-winner; plus a spare Pulitzer Prize, in his case, as a matter of fact - legendary composer/conductor/arranger Marvin Hamlisch. And, last night, byway of PBS and Live From Lincoln Center, audiences across the country were treated to a live gala event celebrating his tremendous Broadway and Hollywood legacy - ONE SINGULAR SENSATION: CELEBRATING MARVIN HAMLISCH. Highlights of the star-studded night included SMASH Brian D'arcy James on a song he debuted in Hamlisch's short-running SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, Michael Feinstein with an emotional take on Hamlisch's self-professed favorite self-penned song, Raul Esparza and Kelli O'Hara on two obscure SWEET SMELL gems and Maria Friedman with a song from Hamlisch's forthcoming musical THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, with book and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, based on the comedic cinema classic by Jerry Lewis, with the moment of the night owing to O'Hara and McDonald joining SMASH lead Megan Hilty on a spine-tingling iteration of the stunning A CHORUS LINE trio "At The Ballet". Through the ears of Marvin, last night we were reminded that nobody did it quite like he did while remembering the way we were - and what we won't forget - while being entertained by some of the best songs of the last century offered by New York's finest performers, musicians and creative talents.

The New York Philharmonic has announced that actress Beth Behrs, of CBS's 2 Broke Girls; actress Lilla Crawford, currently starring in Annie on Broadway; and star of Broadway and television Brian d'Arcy James will join the Orchestra for One Singular Sensation: Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch, a special New Year's Eve concert saluting the late composer-conductor.

Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory announced today that it will now be booking through the 9th March 2013.