Michael Friedman News

The most recent video features Tony-nominee Taylor Mac singing the song 'Lost Horizons' from the musical Gone Missing presented by Encores Off-Center in 2018.

For BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, Michael Friedman whipped up an emo rock score that comically skewered white male privilege. For LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST his music and lyrics embraced the open-hearted awkwardness of lovers testing the waters of adulthood, and in THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, they nostalgically provided a tapestry of pop harmonies, soul and rap. And then there was the abundance of fresh material created for The Civilians, the investigative theatre company he co-founded.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival today announced Branden Jacobs-Jenkins as the 37th and final commissioned artist as part of American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle, OSF's multi-decade program for developing new plays about moments of change in United States history.

The Sound Of Music will come to life on the epic Texas Amphitheater stage (home of The Promise) in this timeless classic full of love, family, romance, and of course, music! Local and national talent will come together to bring the hills of Glen Rose alive. CASTING has just been announced! 

Trustus Theatre will continue their 35th Anniversary Season and their 'In the Round' series with the production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

Ever made a pact with yourself to swear off relationships, only to have it come back to bite you big me? Two- me Tony nominee Alex Timbers ( Peter and the Starcatcher ) and Obie winner Michael Friedman ( Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson ) spin a classic comedy about the struggle of being young, bold, rich, handsome, and... celibate.

City Theatre at Sacramento City College continues its 2019-20 season with Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.

Casa Mañana continues its 2019-20 Children's Theatre season, presented by Happy State Bank and sponsored by Frank Kent Cadillac, with the World Premiere of Frank-N-Friend, January 31-February 16, 2020. Tickets are on sale now.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director Tim Sanford, Managing Director Leslie Marcus) today announced the cast and creative team of Unknown Soldier, a sweeping, elegiac chamber musical that melts time, spanning three generations as it follows a woman's journey to unearth the secrets buried in her family's past. With a book and lyrics by Daniel Goldstein, making his New York writing debut, Unknown Soldier is also the last work from the late, beloved Michael Friedman (music and lyrics) to be premiered in the city. Together, they created a work that profoundly illustrates the search into the existences of those who've passed, connecting the love and loss, hope and regret of two womena?'and a country forever scarred by wara?'across a century. Unknown Soldier follows Ellen Rabinowitz, a woman who's inherited her grandmother's homea?'and with it, a clue that her understanding of her family and of herself are incomplete. Directed by Trip Cullman and choreographed by Patrick McCollum, this New York premiere production will take place in the Mainstage Theater at Playwrights Horizons (416 West 42nd Street), February 14-March 29, 2020.

Actors' Playhouse has announced the complete cast for its production of global smash-hit musical Mamma Mia! playing January 22 - February 23, 2020 at the Miracle Theatre.

The magic continues! 'A Christmas Carol' at McCarter Theater, is now on stage through December 29th. Adapted by David Thompson and directed by Adam Immerwahr, the production has marvelous acting, elaborate staging, and exciting new flourishes.

On Sunday December 1st, Abrons Arts Center will host The Red Ribbon Revue, a World AIDS Day concert featuring HIV-positive performers celebrating the work of artists with HIV/AIDS, benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs and mothers2mothers. A cast of HIV+ performers from Broadway to opera will pay tribute to songwriters Howard Ashman, Freddie Mercury, Peter Allen, Michael Friedman, Jerry Herman and more. The concert will raise awareness and funds to help combat the persistent stigma around HIV that keeps so many from disclosing their status and getting the care they need to live long healthy lives.

Prolific theatrical songwriter Micheal Friedman died at age 41 from AIDS related complications in 2017, leaving many bereft as the theater community recognized his vibrant creativity was snuffed out too soon. To preserve his legacy and work, Ghostlight Records is partnering with The Civilians to record nine albums of Friedman's previously unrecorded music for THE MICHAEL FRIEDMAN COLLECTION. This past October, the first trio of albums was released.

McCarter Theatre Center is proud to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, directed by Adam Immerwahr. This family-friendly production runs December 10 - 29 in the Matthews Theatre. A popular annual event for families all across the region, McCarter Theatre Center's production of Charles Dickens' timeless story brings a tale of memory and redemption beyond the stage and out into the aisles and lobbies.

On Sunday December 1st, Abrons Arts Center will host The Red Ribbon Revue, a World AIDS Day concert featuring HIV-positive performers celebrating the work of artists with HIV/AIDS, benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs and mothers2mothers. Javier Muñoz (Hamilton, In the Heights) joins a line-up of HIV+ performers from Broadway to opera to pay tribute to songwriters Howard Ashman, Peter Allen, Michael Friedman, Jerry Herman and more. The concert will raise awareness and funds to help combat the persistent stigma around HIV that keeps so many from disclosing their status and getting the care they need to live long healthy lives.

The Firehouse Theatre will present  The Wizard of Oz family concert event December 5-22, 2019. With dreams of escaping her mundane life, a cyclone hits and Dorothy and Toto are transported to the Land of Oz. Somewhere over the rainbow, Dorothy and Toto meet Glinda, the Munchkins, the Wicked Witch of the West, and three new friends, The Scarecrow, The Tinman, and The Lion. Along the way towards the Emerald City, the friends encounter a haunted forest, jitterbugs, and flying monkeys. In the end, the audience is reminded that a?oeThere's No Place Like Home,a?? especially during the holidays. 

West Side Story: Classic. Powerful. Groundbreaking. Heartbreaking.  All words that have been used to describe one of Broadway's most memorable and iconic pieces of musical theatre.  The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in collaboration with Broadway Palm will present West Side Story as the first production in their brand-new Broadway at the LPAC series.  The show will run from November 14th through December 1st.

Last night, Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti hosted and performed at the 17th annual BROADWAY STANDS UP FOR FREEDOM concert. She was joined by Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (Kiss Me Kate), Tony Award nominees Montego Glover (Memphis), Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Phillipa Soo (Hamilton), and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown) as well as Broadway performers Krystina Alabado (Mean Girls), Julia Murney (Wicked), Jeannette Bayardelle (Hair), Shoba Narayan (The Great Comet), and Emmy nominee Shaina Taub (Public Works' Twelfth Night), along with Starr Busby (Octet), L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop), We McDonald (NBC's The Voice), Liana Stampur, and the BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS.

Arizona Regional Theatre's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON a rock-solid show, featuring great turns by Logan Scott Mitchell and supporting cast.

Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti will host and perform at the 17th annual BROADWAY STANDS UP FOR FREEDOM concert on Monday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. at The Town Hall in New York City (123 W. 43 St.) Hear what she has to say about the upcoming event.