David Friedman (composer)
{{short description|American composer}}
{{other people||David Friedman (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = David Friedman
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = David Allen Friedman
| birth_date = 1950
| birth_place = New York City, New York, United States
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| known_for =
| occupation = Film and Theater composer
Songwriter
Author
Lyricist
Conductor
Public speaker
}}
David Allen Friedman (born 1950) is a film and theatre composer, songwriter, author, lyricist and conductor based in New York City. He received a 1997 Backstage Bistro Award for Composer of the Year and a 1997 Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriter of the Year,{{cite web|last=Berry|first=Heather|title=Cabaret Legend Margaret Whiting Hosts a Tribute to Johnny Mercer|url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/Cabaret-Legend-Margaret-Whiting-300.aspx|work=May 23, 1997|publisher=UCLA|access-date=April 29, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Bistro Awards Hall of Fame|url=http://www.bistroawards.com/hall-of-fame.html|publisher=Bistro Awards|access-date=April 29, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504203203/http://www.bistroawards.com/hall-of-fame.html|archive-date=May 4, 2012}} and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th Annual MAC Awards.{{cite web|title=MAC gets a shout out on the Today Show!|url=http://www.macnyc.com/about-mac.html|publisher=MAC Awards|access-date=April 29, 2012|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514002752/http://www.macnyc.com/about-mac.html|url-status=dead}} His oratorio, King Island Christmas, won a Frederick Loewe Award and Dramatists Guild Award.{{cite web|last=Frank|first=Jonathan|title=Cabaret: Interview with David Friedman|url=http://www.talkinbroadway.com/cabaret/friedman.html|work=Talkin' Broadway|publisher=talkinbroadway.com|access-date=April 29, 2012}} David's musical Desperate Measures won the 2018 Drama Desk Award for Best Music and Best Lyrics (Peter Kellogg) as well as the Outer Critic's Circle Award for Best Off Broadway Musical and the Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical.
Career
=Original songs=
Friedman's original songs include "Listen to My Heart",{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/31/movies/theater-in-review-listen-to-my-heart-the-songs-of-david-friedman.html |title=THEATER IN REVIEW; 'Listen to My Heart' – 'The Songs of David Friedman' – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=October 31, 2003 |access-date=January 6, 2012 |first=Bruce |last=Weber}} "Help Is On the Way", "We Can Be Kind", "We Live on Borrowed Time", "I'll Be Here With You", "Just in Time for Christmas" (with David Zippel), and "My Simple Christmas Wish". In January 2003, Friedman published the music book Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman through his publishing firm Midder Music. The book features 63 Friedman songs, including "Listen to My Heart", "We Live On Borrowed Time", "We Can Be Kind", "Help is on the Way", "Your Love", "Trust the Wind", "My Simple Christmas Wish", and "I'll Be Here With You".{{cite web|last=Murray|first=Matthew|title=Listen to His Heart: David Friedman Song Book Now Available|url=http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/01-2003/listen-to-his-heart-david-friedman-song-book-now-a_3009.html|work=January 16, 2003|date=January 16, 2003 |publisher=Theater Mania|access-date=April 29, 2012}} Following upon the book, Friedman in October 2003 debuted his musical review by the same name.{{cite news|last=Bessman|first=Jim|title=Friedman Relies on Singers to Channel Tunes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rg8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Listen+To+My+Heart%3A+The+Songs+of+David+Friedman%22&pg=PA39|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Billboard|date=November 29, 2003}}{{cite news|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Listen to My Heart Revue Celebrates Composer David Friedman Upstairs at Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/80875-Listen-to-My-Heart-Revue-Celebrates-Composer-David-Friedman-Upstairs-at-Studio-54|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Playbill|date=July 25, 2003}}
=Disney=
Friedman was conductor of the music scores for Disney's animated features, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame,{{cite news|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Casting Complete for David Friedman Revue, Listen to My Heart|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81580-Casting-Complete-for-David-Friedman-Revue-Listen-to-My-Heart|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Playbill|date=September 11, 2003}} and was vocal contractor for Mulan.{{cite web|title=Mulan Cast & Crew List|url=http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_characters/7255-Mulan.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117180457/http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_characters/7255-Mulan.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 17, 2013|publisher=Big Cartoon Database|access-date=April 29, 2012}} Songs written by Friedman have been featured in the Disney film Aladdin and the King of Thieves,{{cite web |url=http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/aladdin_and_the_king_of_thieves_soundtrack/scott_barnes_don_bradford_merwin_foard_david_friedman_gilbert_gottfried_paul_kandel_peter_samuel_gordon-lyrics-63896.html |title=Aladdin And The King Of Thieves Soundtrack – Scott Barnes, Don Bradford, Merwin Foard, David Friedman, Gilbert Gottfried, Paul Kandel, Peter Samuel, Gordon Lyrics |publisher=Allthelyrics.com |access-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124449/http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/aladdin_and_the_king_of_thieves_soundtrack/scott_barnes_don_bradford_merwin_foard_david_friedman_gilbert_gottfried_paul_kandel_peter_samuel_gordon-lyrics-63896.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Bambi 2,{{cite news|last=Szatmary, Peter|url-access=subscription |title=Songwriter looks for links to audience|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/indystar/access/1794123431.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+14%2C+2005&author=PETER+SZATMARY&pub=Indianapolis+Star&desc=Songwriter+looks+for+links+to+audience&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718000728/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/indystar/access/1794123431.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+14,+2005&author=PETER+SZATMARY&pub=Indianapolis+Star&desc=Songwriter+looks+for+links+to+audience&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 18, 2012|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Indianapolis Star|date=January 14, 2005}}{{cite news|last=staff|url-access=subscription |title=Lucie Arnaz, Disney musician perform for Summer Theatre|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=HANP&p_multi=NCAB&p_theme=hanp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11EC1C699E47C138&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=New Canaan Advertiser|date=January 3, 2008}} in the movie Salsa and in three animated television series; Happy Ness, Sky Dancers, and Dragon Flyz.{{cite web|url=http://www.agebrands.com/Happy-ness.html |title=Happy-ness |publisher=Agebrands.com |access-date=January 6, 2012}}
=Television=
Friedman is a regular on the Today Show "Everyone Has a Story" series, and partners with Kathie Lee Gifford to write a new song each month,{{cite web|url=http://allday.today.com/_news/2011/05/31/6754844-kathie-lee-on-her-new-book-the-legend-of-messy-mcheany |title=allDAY – Kathie Lee on her new book 'The Legend of Messy M'Cheany' |publisher=Allday.today.com |access-date=January 6, 2012}} which he performs with a current Broadway star on the first Thursday of each month.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=John|title=A heart worth a listen at Stageworks|url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/a-heart-worth-a-listen-at-stageworks/1186358|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=August 17, 2011|archive-date=September 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914042354/http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/a-heart-worth-a-listen-at-stageworks/1186358|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Karen Mason Will Debut New David Friedman/Kathie Lee Gifford Song on TV|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/154015-Karen-Mason-Will-Debut-New-David-Friedman-Kathie-Lee-Gifford-Song-on-TV|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Playbill|date=August 29, 2011}}{{cite news|last=Lauer-Williams|first=Kathy|title=Bethlehem Township boy appears on Today Show's "Everyone Has a Story"|url=https://www.mcall.com/2011/05/05/tv-watchers-bethlehem-township-boy-appears-on-today-shows-everyone-has-a-story/|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=The Morning Call|date=May 5, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allegro-music.com/vocals.asp |title=Vocals |publisher=Allegro Music |access-date=January 6, 2012}}
=Theater=
Friedman has also worked in theatre, on several Broadway musicals, serving as musical director for such original Broadway productions such as Saravà, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song & Dance and Beauty and the Beast.Friedman, David. Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman. New York: Midder Music, 2002. p. vi
Friedman is the composer of 4 musicals with Tony Award Nominated book writer/lyricist Peter Kellogg.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94113-New-Musicals-by-Brown-Spencer-Spangler-Friedman-Kellogg-Warrender-Heard-in-Seattle-Area-Festival-Aug-4-7 |title=New Musicals by Brown, Spencer, Spangler, Friedman, Kellogg, Warrender Heard in Seattle-Area Festival Aug. 4–7 |publisher=Playbill.com |access-date=January 6, 2012}} Nicolette & Aucassin, based upon the 13th Century romance Aucassin et Nicolette,{{cite news|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Listen to His Heart: David Friedman Revue Begins Previews Oct. 9|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82058-Listen-to-His-Heart-David-Friedman-Revue-Begins-Previews-Oct-9|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Playbill|date=October 9, 2003}} has been produced at locations such as the Little Shubert Theatre in New York City,{{cite news|last=Joy|first=Cara|title=Medieval Musical Chasing Nicolette to Play Off-B'way's Little Shubert|url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/94605/medieval-musical-chasing-nicolette-to-play-off-bways-little-shubert/|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=broadway.com|date=June 28, 2005}} the Westport Country Playhouse, and the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia.{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|title=Chasing Nicolette, Friedman & Kellogg's Romantic Musical Adventure, To Land at Little Shubert in Fall|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/93780-Chasing-Nicolette-Friedman-Kelloggs-Romantic-Musical-Adventure-To-Land-at-Little-Shubert-in-Fall|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Playbill|date=June 29, 2005}}
A Christmas oratorio called King Island Christmas, written with librettist Deborah Brevoort,{{cite web |url=http://www.kingislandchristmas.com/davidfriedman.htm |title=David Friedman |publisher=King Island Christmas |access-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115101142/http://www.kingislandchristmas.com/davidfriedman.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }} has had over 40 productions worldwide. Friedman was also co-composer, with David Pomeranz and Kathie Lee Gifford, of the musical Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson about the life of Aimee Semple McPherson, which debuted in 2005 as Saving Aimee and reached Broadway in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/147665-Kathie-Lee-Gifford-Musical-Saving-Aimee-to-Be-Resurrected-at-5th-Avenue-Theatre-Season-Announced |title=Kathie Lee Gifford Musical Saving Aimee to Be Resurrected at 5th Avenue Theatre; Season Announced |publisher=Playbill.com |access-date=January 6, 2012}}
In 2009, he released a musical play Stunt Girl, (now titled "Front Page Girl") in association with author/lyricist Peter S. Kellogg, and developed in association with the Village Theatre in Seattle, based on the life of Nellie Bly.{{cite news|last=Hart |first=John |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2008882080_zart18stunt.html |title=Musical "Stunt Girl" remembers the momentous life of pioneering reporter Nellie Bly |publisher=Seattle Times|date=March 18, 2009 |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=David Edward|title=Village Theatre premieres a Snappy Stunt Girl|url=http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/seattle/se394.html|work=March 28, 2009|publisher=Talkin' Broadway|access-date=April 29, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Truzzi|first=Gianni|title=New Village Theatre musical celebrates the original 'Stunt Girl' journalist, Nellie Bly|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/New-Village-Theatre-musical-celebrates-the-1302257.php|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=March 12, 2009}} This was a project worked on together by Kellogg and Friedman for 10 years.{{cite news|last=staff|title='Stunt Girl' comes to life on Issaquah stage|url=http://www.issaquahreporter.com//entertainment/41499027.html|access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=Issaquah Reporter|date=March 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306031014/http://www.issaquahreporter.com/entertainment/41499027.html|archive-date=March 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}
Friedman and Kellogg's Desperate Measures, and all-verse Western musical comedy loosely based on William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure premiered Off-Broadway at the York Theatre in 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/desperate-measures-york-theatre-saint-peters-2017-2018 |title=Desperate Measures Off-Broadway @ York Theatre @ Saint Peter's - Tickets and Discounts | Playbill |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202422/http://www.playbill.com/production/desperate-measures-york-theatre-saint-peters-2017-2018 |url-status=dead }} The show was extended three times{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/desperate-measures-musical-extends-for-third-time-off-broadway|title = Desperate Measures Musical Extends for Third Time Off-Broadway|date = November 20, 2017}} and currently holds a 91% rating at Show-Score.{{Cite web|url=https://www.show-score.com/off-broadway-shows/desperate-measures|title = Desperate Measures}}
David is currently working on Temple, a musical about the life of Temple Grandin, in collaboration with Elizabeth Dewberry.
David's Web series, "Koga and Family," in collaboration with Philip Kholos, is designed to help young children deal with everyday challenges through martial arts, meditation and kindness.
=Other=
Friedman also wrote two songs for Barney's Great Adventure, the 1998 film, based the PBS Kids television series Barney & Friends.
In 2006, Friedman worked in the music department for World Trade Center, a biopic film based on the September 11, 2001 attacks starring Nicolas Cage.
The Thought Exchange
Friedman is the creator of a metaphysical method called "The Thought Exchange", and in 2011 published a book by the same name.The Thought Exchange, Paperback, {{ISBN|978-0-578-07790-1}} Friedman appeared in the 2012 documentary film The Thought Exchange, based on the book. The film was directed by Usher Morgan and starred Lucie Arnaz, Arje Shaw and others.{{cite web|url=http://www.librarytalespublishing.com/new-teaser-trailer-for-the-thought-exchange-film-was-released/ |title=New Teaser Trailer for THE THOUGHT EXCHANGE film was released |work=Library Tales Publishing (LTP) |publisher=Library Tales Publishing |access-date=January 6, 2012}} In his book, Friedman admits to being diagnosed with severe agoraphobia at age 20. His being hospitalized for treatment was an experience which motivated him to create the Thought Exchange concept at a later age.{{cite book|last=Friedman|first=David|title=The Thought Exchange|year=2011|publisher=Library Tales Publishing|isbn=978-0-578-07790-1|pages=31–33|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQRbT9jI9UUC&q=%22David+Friedman%22+%2B%22agoraphobia%22&pg=PA31}}
Personal life
Friedman's romantic partner since 2003 is Shawn Moninger, a four time MAC Award-winning technical director, Unity minister, and emerging cabaret performer.Victoria Ordin. "BWW Review: Because He Can, Shawn Moninger Presents Cabaret Filled with Humor, Heart and Spirituality at the Metropolitan Room." Broadway World March 4, 2016. https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/BWW-Review-Because-He-Can-Shawn-Moninger-Presents-Cabaret-Filled-with-Humor-Heart-and-Spirituality-at-the-Metropolitan-Room-20160304 They live in Connecticut.{{Cite web|url=http://t2conline.com/my-view-rev-shawn-moninger-has-a-new-residence-and-david-friedman-is-a-visitor/|title = My View: Rev. Shawn Moninger Has a New Residence and David Friedman is a Visitor – Times Square Chronicles| date=December 31, 2015 }}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0295195|David Friedman}}
- {{Official website|http://www.thethoughtexchange.com}}
{{DramaDesk Music}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Friedman, David}}
Category:21st-century American composers
Category:Composers from New York City
Category:American male conductors (music)
Category:American musical theatre composers
Category:American male musical theatre composers
Category:Broadway composers and lyricists
Category:Classical musicians from New York (state)
Category:Songwriters from New York (state)
Category:21st-century American conductors (music)
Category:21st-century American male musicians