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Maria Friedman

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BIO

Maria Friedman is an English actress and director of stage and screen, best known for her work in musical theatre. She is an Eight-time Olivier Award nominee, winning three. Her first win was for her 1994 one-woman show, By Special Arrangement. She has also twice won Best Actress in a Musical for the original London productions of Passion and Ragtime. She is more recently known for her role as Elaine Peacock in EastEnders. She also made an appearance as the narrator in the 1999 straight to video version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Maria Friedman & Friends - Legacy Maria Friedman & Friends - Legacy
[West End]
London Production, 2022
Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler on the Roof
[West End]
West End Revival, 2019
Golde [Replacement]
The Woman in White The Woman in White
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 2005
Marian Halcombe
Marian Halcombe
The Woman in White
[West End]
Original London Production, 2004
Marian Holcombe
Ragtime
[West End]
London Revival, 2003
Mother
The Witches of Eastwick
[West End]
Original London Production, 2000
Sukie
Passion
[West End]
London Concert, 1997
Fosca
Lady in the Dark
[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1997
Liza Elliott
Passion
[West End]
London Revival, 1996
Fosca
Merrily We Roll Along
[Regional (UK)]
Regional Production, 1992
Mary
Sunday in the Park with George
[West End]
London Revival, 1990
Marie (Act Two)
Dot (Act One)
Ghetto
[London Fringe]
Original London Production, 1989
Performer
Blues in the Night
[West End]
London Revival, 1987
Performer
Spin of the Wheel
[West End]
Original London Production, 1987
Performer
Oklahoma!
[West End]
London Revival, 1980
Doris

Productions

Merrily We Roll AlongMerrily We Roll Along
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Director
Merrily We Roll AlongMerrily We Roll Along
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Director
A Journey to the PastA Journey to the Past
 
[West End, 2022]
DIRECTOR
Stepping OutStepping Out
 
[West End, 2017] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
Merrily We Roll AlongMerrily We Roll Along
 
[West End, 2012]
Director

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Direction of a Musical

Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along

Olivier Awards - 2014 - Best Director

Maria FriedmanMerrily We Roll Along


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2006 - Performance

Maria Friedman, The Woman in White

Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Actress in a Musical

Maria Friedman, The Woman In White


winner
Olivier Awards - 2004 - Best Actress in a Musical

Maria Friedman, Ragtime

Olivier Awards - 1999 - Best Actress in a Musical

Maria Friedman, Chicago

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Actress in a Musical

Maria Friedman, Lady In The Dark


winner
Olivier Awards - 1997 - Best Actress in a Musical

Maria Friedman, Passion


winner
Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Entertainment

Maria Friedman

Olivier Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical

Maria Friedman, Sunday In The Park With George

Videos

More Video

News


American Repertory Theater Appoints Evan O’Brient as New Producer Photo
American Repertory Theater Appoints Evan O’Brient as New Producer

American Repertory Theater has appointed Evan O’Brient as the A.R.T.’s next Producer. Evan O’Brient previously served as the Producer at New York Theatre Workshop. Learn more about O'Brient and about the role.
Video: Watch Donny Osmond as the Pharaoh in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMC Photo
Video: Watch Donny Osmond as the Pharaoh in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Watch a video of Donny Osmond performing 'Song of the King' as the Pharaoh in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! The 2025 tour opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse for a Christmas season on 3 December.
Photos: Donny Osmond, Christina Bianco & More in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR D Photo
Photos: Donny Osmond, Christina Bianco & More in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

You can now get a first look at the 2024 /2025 tour of the London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring Donny Osmond as Pharaoh (Edinburgh only), Christina Bianco as Narrator and Adam Filipe as Joseph. See photos!
Photos: Stars Arrive at DEATH BECOMES HER on Opening Night Photo
Photos: Stars Arrive at DEATH BECOMES HER on Opening Night

Stars came out for the opening of DEATH BECOMES HER at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos of Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles, Tina Fey, Brooke Shields, and more as they arrive on the opening night red carpet here!
Interview: Christina Bianco on Playing The Narrator in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNIC Photo
Interview: Christina Bianco on Playing The Narrator in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

BroadwayWorld catches up with actress and singer Christina Bianco to chat about playing the narrator in the upcoming tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Aaron Lazar, Barbra Streisand, & More Nominated For 2025 GRAMMYS - Full List of Nomin Photo
Aaron Lazar, Barbra Streisand, & More Nominated For 2025 GRAMMYS - Full List of Nominations

Aaron Lazar, Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande more were nominated for GRAMMYS. Check out the full list of nominations now! The Outsiders, Suffs and more were nominated in the Best Musical Theatre Album category.
GRAMMYs Nominate THE OUTSIDERS, SUFFS, & More For Best Musical Theatre Album Photo
GRAMMYs Nominate THE OUTSIDERS, SUFFS, & More For Best Musical Theatre Album

The nominations for the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album have been announced. Hell's Kitchen, Merrily We Roll Along, The Outsiders, Suffs, The Notebook, and The Wiz have been nominated for Best Musical Theatre Album.
TRADITION! THE JEWISH VOICES OF BROADWAY to be Presented at 54 Below Photo
TRADITION! THE JEWISH VOICES OF BROADWAY to be Presented at 54 Below

54 BELOW will present Tradition! Come nosh and schmooze with the next generation of Broadway as they sing through the Jewish musical theatre songbook at 54 Below! Learn how to purchase tickets.
Additional Casting Set For UK Tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Photo
Additional Casting Set For UK Tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Further casting has been announced for the second tour of the acclaimed London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Opening Night of YELLOW FACE Photo
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Opening Night of YELLOW FACE

The stars aligned at the Todd Haimes Theatre to celebrate opening night of Roundabout Theatre Company's new production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang. BroadwayWorld was there to capture all of the stars and VIP guests.
Feature: BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup â€" Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2024 Photo
Feature: BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup â€" Sept. 23 to Sept. 29, 2024

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with a few top picks for jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including Cheyenne Jackson's Signs of Life, musical comedy and John Cameron Mitchell
Exclusive: Oh My Pod U Guys- Clean Riffs Only with Vishal Vaidya Photo
Exclusive: Oh My Pod U Guys- Clean Riffs Only with Vishal Vaidya

This week's BroadwayWorld Recap has all the latest Bway casting announcements, brought to you by BroadwayWorld.com. Then I am joined by Broadway performer Vishal Vaidya!
MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Begins Streami Photo
MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Begins Streaming Today

The star-studded My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert is now streaming digitally on-demand in the US, UK and Canada. 
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Available to Watch at the New York Public Library Photo
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Available to Watch at the New York Public Library

A live capture of Merrily We Roll Along is now available to watch at the New York Public Library. However, this recording is one of two filmed versions of the production. In June, it was announced that the production was going to be professionally filmed for future release. The library's film was recorded in March.
Full Cast Set for A BEAUTIFUL NOISE National Tour Photo
Full Cast Set for A BEAUTIFUL NOISE National Tour

Producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio have announced full casting for the multi-year North American Tour of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL.
Review: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at Morgan Auditorium At The University Of La Verne Photo
Review: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at Morgan Auditorium At The University Of La Verne

Merrily We Roll Along is that rare gem, a grown-up, subtle, perceptive musical that can delight both audiences love musicals and audiences who hate them.  This production by the Inland Valley Repertory Theatre, with brilliant direction by Frank Minano, is complex, bittersweet, funny, heartfelt, ultimately joyous and inspiring.
Maria Friedman to Perform at Café Carlyle This Fall Photo
Maria Friedman to Perform at Café Carlyle This Fall

Maria Friedman will perform at Café Carlyle in September. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG's Final Week Was Highest Grossing Week Ever For A Sondheim Musi Photo
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG's Final Week Was Highest Grossing Week Ever For A Sondheim Musical

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG sets a new record as the highest-grossing Sondheim musical in a single week, breaking the box office record for the 10th and final time.
Photos: Lindsay Mendez Reflects on the 'Life-Changing Journey' of MERRILY WE ROLL ALO Photo
Photos: Lindsay Mendez Reflects on the 'Life-Changing Journey' of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Nearly nine months after the critically acclaimed revival opened at the Hudson Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along star Lindsay Mendez said goodbye to her 'old friends' in a heartwarming Instagram post.
Are We In a Sondheim Renaissance? Photo
Are We In a Sondheim Renaissance?

This time, the reader question was: Have there been a lot of Sondheim productions in New York City since the legendary composer and lyricist passed away?
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Maria Friedman been in?

Maria Friedman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Maria Friedman been in?

Maria Friedman has appeared on London's West End in 13 shows.

What was Maria Friedman's first West End show?

Maria Friedman's first West End show was Oklahoma! which opened in 1980

What awards has Maria Friedman been nominated for?

Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The Woman in White, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Woman In White, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Ragtime , Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Chicago , Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Lady In The Dark, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Passion , Best Entertainment (Olivier Awards) and Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George.

What awards has Maria Friedman won?

Maria Friedman has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for Merrily We Roll Along, Performance at the Theatre World Awards for The Woman in White, Best Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for Ragtime, Best Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for Passion, and Best Entertainment at the Olivier Awards.

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