Last week I was very much looking forward to talking with friend Jonathan Lethem about the new film Lethem, directed by Fred Barney Taylor, which screens at the Metrograph on Sunday, September 17, with the author in attendance. Before that happened though, we both received the news that Michael Friedman had died. A beloved friend and collaborator, Friedman co-founded The Civilians, a theater company where I’m an associate artist. He also wrote the score and lyrics for the musical adaptation of Fortress of Solitude, Lethem’s 2003 novel. Fortress of Solitude tells the story of Lethem’s childhood on Dean Street in […]...
- 9/15/2017
- by Alix Lambert
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Children's Theatre Company Ctc brings to the stage the very first Minnesota hockey musical, The Abominables. Produced in association with New York City's extraordinary theatre company The Civilians, the musical is written and directed by Steve Cosson with music and lyrics by the late Michael Friedman and choreography by Joe Chvala. BroadwayWorld has a fresh batch of shots, featuring a first look at Ryan Colbert as 'the Yeti' and more, below...
- 9/14/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Children's Theatre Company Ctc brings to the stage the very first Minnesota hockey musical, The Abominables. Produced in association with New York City's extraordinary theatre company The Civilians, the musical is written and directed by Steve Cosson with music and lyrics by the late Michael Friedman and choreography by Joe Chvala. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below...
- 9/11/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Children's Theatre Company Ctc released the following statement today upon hearing of the death of composer Michael Friedman, who was currently writing music and lyrics for The Abominables, a world premiere new musical set to open September 15...
- 9/10/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Michael Friedman, a composer and lyricist whose musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” played on Broadway in 2010, died Saturday at age 41. He died of complications from HIV/AIDS, according to New York’s Public Theater, where he was an artist in residence and director of the Public Forum. In addition, Friedman served as artistic director of Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center and was co-founder of The Civilians theater company. Also Read: Michael Moore Donates $10K to Public Theater After 'Julius Caesar' Outcry He created a sensation with “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” a modern take on America’s seventh president — with a book.
- 9/9/2017
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Led by Artistic Director Michael Friedman, the popular Encores Off-Center series returns for its fifth season of landmark Off-Broadway musicals, continuing with Carole King and Maurice Sendak's family musical Really Rosie, directed by Leigh Silverman August 2-5.
- 8/2/2017
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Following the success of Assassins, Encores Off-Center Artistic Director Michael Friedman today announced casting for the next two productions of his first season at the helm of the popular summer musical theater series at New York City Center.
- 7/18/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Yellow Sound Label has announced the release of the world premiere recording of Stars of David today, December 16 on iTunes and Amazon.com. The album is produced by Michael Croiter Matilda, Heathers, Big Fish and Executive Produced by Daryl Roth, featuring the talents of Alex Brightman, Joanna Glushak, Janet Metz, Brad Oscar, Alan Schmuckler, Aaron Serotsky, and Donna Vivino. The album features original musical material by Marilyn and Alan Bergman Susan Birkenhead Michael Friedman Amanda Green Marvin Hamlisch Sheldon Harnick Tom Kitt Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire Duncak Sheik and Steven Sater Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller and Jeanine Tesori.
- 12/16/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Les Freres Corbusier has announced its return to off-off-Broadway with a special workshop production of Here's Hoover The Historic Herbert Hoover 2014 Comeback Special, written by Sean Cunningham, with songs by Michael Friedman and directed by Alex Timbers, began on December 5 at Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street. The workshop production runs through Sunday, December 21. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below...
- 12/11/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Yellow Sound Label has announced the release of the world premiere recording of Stars of David on December 16 on iTunes and Amazon.com The album is produced by Michael Croiter Matilda, Heathers, Big Fish and Executive Produced by Daryl Roth, featuring the talents of Alex Brightman, Joanna Glushak, Janet Metz, Brad Oscar, Alan Schmuckler, Aaron Serotsky, and Donna Vivino. The album features original musical material by Marilyn and Alan Bergman Susan Birkenhead Michael Friedman Amanda Green Marvin Hamlisch Sheldon Harnick Tom Kitt Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire Duncak Sheik and Steven Sater Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller and Jeanine Tesori.
- 12/11/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater announced a two-week extension today for The Fortress of Solitude, a world premiere musical based on the nationally best-selling novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem. With a book by Itamar Moses, music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, The Fortress of Solitude began previews on Tuesday, September 30 and was officially scheduled to close on Sunday, November 2. It will now run an additional two weeks through Sunday, November 16.
- 10/23/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater will begin previews forTHE Fortress Of Solitude, a world premiere musical based on the nationally best-selling novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem, on Tuesday, September 30. With a book by Itamar Moses, music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, The Fortress Of Solitude will run through Sunday, November 2, with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 22. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in rehearsal...
- 9/23/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Last summer, The Public Theater, Michael Friedman, and Alex Timbers reunited to gift New York City with a free production of Love's Labour's Lost at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Like their Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, the team used brilliant and inspired anachronisms to make the Shakespearean comedy relevant for modern audiences. They also did it as a musical. Now Ghostlight Records has released the audaciously quirky Love's Labour's Lost Original Cast Recording for us all to enjoy.
- 7/11/2014
- by David Clarke
- BroadwayWorld.com
Ghostlight Records will release the original cast recording of The Public Theater's production of Love's Labour's LOSTthis summer. The album will be available in digital format on June 3 with physical CDs available online and in stores on July 8. The production was recently nominated for three 2014 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Choreography. Directed by Alex Timbers, Love's Labour's Lost features songs by Michael Friedman with book adaptation by Timbers. Two tracks from the upcoming album - 'Young Men' and 'Hey Boys' - are available to stream at www.sh-k-boom.com.
- 5/1/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Dallas Theater Center announced today the award-winning cast and creative team for the world premiere new musical The Fortress of Solitude, a co-production with The Public Theater in New York City. The Fortress of Solitude is based on the nationally best-selling novel of the same name by 2005 MacArthur Fellow Jonathan Lethem. The musical is conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, with a book by Itamar Moses, and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. The Fortress of Solitude opens with previews on March 7 and runs through April 6. Tickets to this stunning new musical, The Fortress of Solitude, are on sale now at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org and by phone at 214 880-0202.
- 2/6/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Dallas Theater Center announced today the complete creative team of the world premiere new musical The Fortress of Solitude, a co-production with The Public Theater in New York City. The Fortress of Solitude, based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem, is conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, with a book by Itamar Moses, and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. It will premiere at the Wyly Theatre with previews on March 7, 2014 and run through April 6.
- 10/18/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Here’s a distressing question: Seventysomething years after the collapse of civilization, will we even remember "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Or, for that matter, Who Shot Mr. Burns? And will we blame them for what happened next? In Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play — a witty, wistful, walloping coda to our summer of gaseous blockbuster apocalypse — the question of what endures after the End is answered not by peering into the murky future, but by reading the tea leaves of recent popular culture and asking if today’s high-schlock nostalgia becomes tomorrow’s fundamental mythology, and perhaps even tomorrow’s fundamental morality. Playwright Anne Washburn — working in close collaboration with director Steve Cosson, composer Michael Friedman, and a tight-knit ensemble of Off Broadway mainstays (including Matthew Maher, Colleen Werthmann, and Quincy Tyler Bernstine) — draws from familiar conventions of dystopic-postapocalyptic fiction: A vague plague has wiped out modern civilization, and the...
- 9/17/2013
- by Scott Brown
- Vulture
Playwrights Horizons presents the New York Premiere Production of Mr. Burns, A Post-electric Play, a new play by Anne Washburn The Internationalist, with music by Obie Award winner Michael Friedman Saved at Ph Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson the currentLoves' Labours Lost at Shakespeare in the Park, directed by Obie Award winner Steve Cosson Gone Missing, This Beautiful City, founding Artistic Director of The Civilians. Mr. Burns will be presented as the first production of the theater company's 2013-2014 Season. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below...
- 9/15/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Playwrights Horizons presents the New York Premiere Production of Mr. Burns, A Post-electric Play, a new play by Anne Washburn The Internationalist, with music by Obie Award winner Michael Friedman Saved at Ph Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson the currentLoves' Labours Lost at Shakespeare in the Park, directed by Obie Award winner Steve Cosson Gone Missing, This Beautiful City, founding Artistic Director of The Civilians. Mr. Burns will be presented as the first production of the theater company's 2013-2014 Season. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below...
- 9/4/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater's production of the new musical Love's Labour's Lost, the second show of The Public's 2013 free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte, recently began previews on July 23. Directed by Alex Timbers, Love's Labour's Lost features songs by Michael Friedman with book adaptation by Timbers and will run through Sunday, August 18, and opened last night, August 12. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below...
- 8/13/2013
- by Jennifer Broski
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater's production of the new musical Love's Labour's Lost, the second show of The Public's 2013 free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte, recently began previews on July 23. Directed by Alex Timbers, Love's Labour's Lost features songs by Michael Friedman with book adaptation by Timbers and will run through Sunday, August 18, and opened last night, August 12. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and you can check out photos from the curtain call below...
- 8/13/2013
- by Jennifer Broski
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater's production of the new musical Love's Labour's Lost, the second show of The Public's 2013 free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte, recently began previews on July 23. Directed by Alex Timbers, Love's Labour's Lost features songs by Michael Friedman with book adaptation by Timbers and will run through Sunday, August 18, with an official opening on Monday, August 12. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights below...
- 8/6/2013
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater's production of the new musical Love's Labour's Lost, the second show of The Public's 2013 free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte, recently began previews on July 23. Directed by Alex Timbers, Love's Labour's Lost features songs by Michael Friedman with book adaptation by Timbers and will run through Sunday, August 18, with an official opening on Monday, August 12. Check out a first look at the cast in action below...
- 8/1/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Public Theater Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis Executive Director, Patrick Willingham will begin previews today, Tuesday, July 23 for the new musical Love's Labour's Lost, the second show of The Public's 2013 free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte. Directed by Alex Timbers, Love's Labour's Lost will feature songs by Michael Friedman with book adaptation by Timbers and will run through Sunday, August 18, with an official press opening on Monday, August 12.
- 7/23/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The second show of The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park season, Love's Labour's Lost, directed by Alex Timbers, with songs by Michael Friedman and book adaptation by Alex Timbers, begins previews next week on Tuesday, July 23 and will run through Sunday, August 18, with an official press opening on Monday, August 12. BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the cast singing excerpts from the show at Joe's Pub below...
- 7/16/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
The second show of The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park season, Love's Labour's Lost, directed by Alex Timbers, with songs by Michael Friedman and book adaptation by Alex Timbers, will begin previews on Tuesday, July 23 and run through Sunday, August 18, with an official press opening on Monday, August 12. Check out a first look at the cast in rehearsal below...
- 7/9/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The second show of The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park season, Love's Labour's Lost, directed by Alex Timbers, with songs by Michael Friedman and book adaptation by Alex Timbers, will begin previews on Tuesday, July 23 and run through Sunday, August 18, with an official press opening on Monday, August 12. BroadwayWorld has confirmed that former SNL cast memebr Rachel Dratch will play 'Holofernes' in the production.
- 7/9/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The second show of The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park season, Love's Labour's Lost, A New Musical, directed by Alex Timbers, with songs by Michael Friedman and book adaptation by Alex Timbers, will begin previews on Tuesday, July 23 and run through Sunday, August 18, with an official press opening on Monday, August 12.Below, hear a song from the new musical, Jaquenetta featuring Caesar Samayoa and produced by Matt Stine.
- 5/21/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
The theme of tonight's "Arrow" finale, titled "Sacrifice," was unconditional love. Colin Donnell's character, Tommy Merlyn, made the ultimate sacrifice. After discovering that his father is the Dark Archer, Tommy made every effort to stop him. When he couldn't, he rushed to Cnri to save Laurel -- despite her hookup with Oliver, he still loved her.
Unconditionally.
Oliver, rushing to Cnri to save Laurel, found Tommy instead, trapped beneath the rubble and bleeding out. In their final moments together, the men -- who grew up together as boys, practically brothers -- shared a beautiful, heartfelt goodbye. Despite what we thought, these guys were never meant to be enemies. They were opposite sides of the same coin, allies through and through, in every sense of the world.
It's a sad moment -- particularly for those of us who were looking forward to Tommy's potential descent into villainy and his ultimate...
Unconditionally.
Oliver, rushing to Cnri to save Laurel, found Tommy instead, trapped beneath the rubble and bleeding out. In their final moments together, the men -- who grew up together as boys, practically brothers -- shared a beautiful, heartfelt goodbye. Despite what we thought, these guys were never meant to be enemies. They were opposite sides of the same coin, allies through and through, in every sense of the world.
It's a sad moment -- particularly for those of us who were looking forward to Tommy's potential descent into villainy and his ultimate...
- 5/16/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
First Listen: Patti Murin, Audrey Weston, and Kimiko Glenn Sing 'Hey Boys' from Love's Labour's Lost
The second show of The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park season, Love's Labour's Lost, A New Musical, directed by Alex Timbers, with songs by Michael Friedman and book adaptation by Alex Timbers, will begin previews on Tuesday, July 23 and run through Sunday, August 18, with an official press opening on Monday, August 12.Below, hear a song from the new musical, 'Hey Boys,' as performed by cast members Patti Murin, Audrey Weston, and Kimiko Glenn...
- 5/14/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Headed into theaters next summer (June 7, 2013) is M. Night Shyamalan's After Earth, a sci-fi film that'll have Will and Jaden Smith once again teamed up as father and son. The After Earth panel here at Comic Con in San Diego will not only focus on the upcoming movie, but also the comic book After Earth: Innocence, which will introduce Smiths' characters Kitai and Cypher Raige. Set to appear on the panel are Garry Whitta (screenwriter of the movie), Peter Suschitzky (director of photography), comic book artis Beni Lobel, and writers Robert Greenberger and Michael Friedman. along with Peter David, who's writing the After Earth prequel novel and also helped create the After Earth bible with Greenberger and Friedman. Here's the official synopsis for the story: In After Earth, one thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind's new home. Legendary General...
- 7/14/2012
- cinemablend.com
Who would have thought that a musical about the seventh president of the United States would be sexy, raucous and wonderful?
Loud, profane and hilarious, "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" is terrific, but maybe it needed to stay downtown. On Broadway, it's only running until Sunday, Jan. 2.
Though based on history, parents and schools planning trips should know that the show is full of sexual innuendo, bad language and violence.
That's not why it's wonderful, but the bawdiness adds to its charm. The main reason this musical soars is Benjamin Walker ("Flags of Our Fathers") as Jackson. Though it's early in the Broadway season, and this didn't have the staying power to draw in audiences its fans would have hoped, it's a fair bet that Walker will earn a Tony nomination for his work.
From the opening song of "Populism Yea Yea," Walker, as Jackson, shines. He's devilish, when flirting with...
Loud, profane and hilarious, "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" is terrific, but maybe it needed to stay downtown. On Broadway, it's only running until Sunday, Jan. 2.
Though based on history, parents and schools planning trips should know that the show is full of sexual innuendo, bad language and violence.
That's not why it's wonderful, but the bawdiness adds to its charm. The main reason this musical soars is Benjamin Walker ("Flags of Our Fathers") as Jackson. Though it's early in the Broadway season, and this didn't have the staying power to draw in audiences its fans would have hoped, it's a fair bet that Walker will earn a Tony nomination for his work.
From the opening song of "Populism Yea Yea," Walker, as Jackson, shines. He's devilish, when flirting with...
- 12/6/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Despite a slew of solid reviews from the critics, the new musical "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" failed to find an audience on Broadway and becomes the second show in as many days to post a closing notice. The tuner, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and a book by director Alex Timbers, was a fanciful take on the life of the seventh American president. Theater newcomer Benjamin Walker got great notices for his portrayal of the politico as the nation's first celebrity. Despite two well-received runs at the non-profit Public Theater downtown, the move to the rialto was always fraught with worries. The show was a hard sell amnong the more commercially palatable fare that fills Broadway houses. While the public may not have turned out, Tony nominators certainly will before the show shutters on Jan. 2. Despite the abbreviated run, "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" could still be among the...
- 12/2/2010
- Gold Derby
"Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" will end its Broadway run Jan. 2, the show's producers announced today. Once it closes, the rock musical will have played 120 performances.With a book by Alex Timbers and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, "Bloody" enjoyed praise from critics but suffered low ticket sales. The show began previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Sept. 20 and opened Oct. 13, following its 2008 premiere by the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles and a 2009 run at New York's Public Theater.In a statement announcing the closure, the producers hinted that the musical may have a future away from the Main Stem."The good news is that we believe 'Bloody' will be done throughout the country in the years ahead," Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel said. "There is considerable interest already from resident theaters and also from London."...
- 12/1/2010
- backstage.com
The cast of "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"—a wild rock musical written and directed by Alex Timbers, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman—doesn't think the show's move from Off-Broadway's Public Theater to Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre will be a problem, despite the different demographics of those two audiences. Depicting the contradictory life of our seventh president (1829–37) and the populism that put him in office, the satiric musical is filled with contemporary resonance. The actors contend that young theatergoers will continue to respond to the pop-cultural allusions, while the older crowd, with perhaps a greater sense of history, will enjoy the historical references. Indeed, the six actors who spoke with Back Stage at Sardi's—Benjamin Walker (Andrew Jackson), Maria Elena Ramirez (his wife, Rachel), Kristine Nielsen (the Storyteller), and Jeff Hiller, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe, and Bryce Pinkham (who each plays multiple roles)—think the audience mix will make for an exciting dynamic.
- 10/7/2010
- backstage.com
New York -- A New York-based theater troupe known for projects investigating real-life topics has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.The Obie-winning group The Civilians received the rare three-year award for their production of a musical about climate change called "The Great Immensity."The work tells the story of a photojournalist who disappears while working in the rain forests of Panama. It's based on interviews with scientists, trappers, shippers, indigenous community leaders, tour guides and politicians.The musical has a story by Steven Cosson, who also wrote "This Beautiful City." Music and lyrics are by Michael Friedman, whose "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" is about to debut on Broadway.No performance dates have been announced.Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
- 10/4/2010
- backstage.com
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