After lots of unsuccesfull attempts to find web pages about Maria on the internet, I decided that the best thing I could do was to set up my own page !.
This site is a completely unofficial tribute to the work of Maria Friedman. A talented actress, a WONDERFUL singer and very funny lady. Her performances have earned her three prestigous "Olivier Awards" - "Best Entertainment" for "Maria Friedman by Special Arrangement" and "Best Actress in a Musical" for "Passion". and "Ragtime" She has also been nominated for her performances in "Sunday in the Park with George", "Lady in the Dark" "Chicago" and "Woman in White". A record seven nominations in all.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Maria on several occasions after her performances. Every time she has happily posed for photographs, answered questions and signed autographs. Despite the fact that Maria was asked by the BBC to talk about "Diva's" on its programme "Looking Good" and did a brilliant sketch pretending to be one, she has never acted like one when I have met her !.
Much of Maria's work takes place in the theatre but she can occasionally be seen on the TV. She has been in Casualty, Red Dwarf and the BBC's Looking Good.
This site aims to bring Maria and her talents to the attention of people who may not know her or her work. Hopefully it will also be something that her fans can look at and enjoy as well.
I have no links to Maria, so all the materials we have used have been gathered from a range of different sources. Hopefully they are all accurate but if you know different let me know !.
Special thanks go to Maria's personal assistant who kindly supplied the biography and some of the pictures on the Chicago page.
I get lots of requests from people asking wher they can write to Maria. Normally when she is in a production in the UK I recommend writing C/O the Stage Door wherever she is appearing. Alternatively write via her representatives :
W1N 0AX
While in New York reprising her role as Marian Halcombe in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webbers "Woman in White" Maria was diagnosed as having early stage breast cancer. Following surgery she bravely went on stage as planned on opening night.
Following the closure of "Woman in White" Maria has chosen not to commit to any major new musical productions. Instead she chooses to concentrate her energies on her sons and family and staying well.
Maria does still perform concerts like those at the Meniere Chocolate Factory in London and different venues throughout Europe and the US. On Elaine Paiges Radio 2 programme Maria said this allowed her to fulfil her "need" to sing while not been tied in to the exhaustive demands of a major show.
