Maria Friedman

One of the most acclaimed performers in musical theatre, Maria Friedman’s numerous accolades include three Olivier Awards and eight Olivier nominations plus recognition from the WhatsOnStage Awards, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle Awards and many others for her work across both the West End and Broadway.

As an Actress — West End & Major Stages

• Blues in the Night — her early West End break, which won a West End Theatre nomination for Best Musical
• Ghetto (1989) — Royal National Theatre, Olivier Theatre, playing Hayyah
• Sunday in the Park with George (1990) — Royal National Theatre, playing Dot/Marie; Olivier nomination for Best Actress in a Musical
• April in Paris — Ambassadors Theatre
• Square Rounds — Royal National Theatre
• Break of Day — Royal Court and tour
• Merrily We Roll Along (1992) — Haymarket Theatre, Leicester, playing Mary Flynn
• Maria Friedman by Special Arrangement (1994) — one-woman show, Donmar Warehouse; won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment
• Maria Friedman by Extra Special Arrangement (1995) — Whitehall Theatre; sequel one-woman show
• Passion (1996) — Queen’s Theatre, West End, playing Fosca opposite Michael Ball; won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical
• Lady in the Dark (1997) — Royal National Theatre; the first ever London production of the Kurt Weill musical, playing Liza Elliott; Olivier nomination and Evening Standard Award
• Chicago (1998) — Adelphi Theatre, West End, playing Roxie Hart; Olivier nomination
• The Witches of Eastwick — Theatre Royal Drury Lane, playing Sukie
• Ragtime (2003) — Piccadilly Theatre, West End, playing Mother; won the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical
• The Woman in White (2004) — West End, originating the role of Marian Halcombe in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical
• The Woman in White (2005–2006) — Broadway (her Broadway acting debut), playing Marian Halcombe
• Fiddler on the Roof (2019) — Trevor Nunn’s revival

Concert Performances

• Sweeney Todd (2007 & 2010) — playing Mrs. Lovett in concert performances, at the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican; also performed in New York, Washington, and at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall for Sondheim’s 80th birthday

As a Director

• Merrily We Roll Along (2012–13) — Menier Chocolate Factory, transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End; won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival
• Merrily We Roll Along (2017) — Huntington Theatre Company, Boston
• Merrily We Roll Along (2022–24) — New York Theatre Workshop, transferring to Broadway at the Hudson Theatre; Tony nominated for Best Direction of a Musical, with the production winning four Tonys including Best Revival
• High Society — The Old Vic; and Dusty — Bath Theatre Royal