Earlier in the week it was announced that Listen to My Heart—The Songs of David Friedman would close after the Sunday, Nov. 16 performance if ticket sales did not increase. Composer Friedman made an appeal to the theatre and cabaret-going community, and the response was enough to sustain the show.
In an open letter to theatre and cabaretgoers, composer Friedman now writes, "Thanks to an outpouring of support from so many of you online, we have been able to take down the closing notice for my show. Although we are by no means out of the woods, your spreading the word and buying tickets has given us another week in which to further publicize the show and find an infusion of cash that will give us the chance to reach the wider audience that can ensure a long, successful run. I deeply appreciate all that you have done — it has warmed my heart to be the recipient of so many kind words and so many people taking the time and effort to spread the word. There is nothing in life that I want to do more than to personally share my songs with people, and you've given me the opportunity to continue to do that. If we can keep the effort going for another 2 or 3 weeks I know we'll be able to make it on our own. So please spread the word that we are up and running."
Listen to My Heart officially opened Oct. 23 after two weeks of previews. The show features a mix of familiar and new tunes by the acclaimed New York-based composer, whose works were championed by the late Nancy LaMott. Many of LaMott's signature tunes are included in the revue, including "We Can Be Kind," "Help Is on the Way" and the title tune.
Broadway favorite Alix Korey, a long-time friend and interpreter of Friedman's tunes, performs the bulk of the show's comic material — including "I'm Not My Mother" and "My Simple Wish" — and recently told Playbill On-Line, "I have a preference for great lyrics, that's all. As it happens, I think it's a lot harder to write a funny song, so I'm always impressed when it is actually [funny], when a funny lyric is funny as opposed to me having to kill myself to make it funny." The cast also includes Allison Briner, Joe Cassidy, Michael Hunsaker and Anne Runolfsson; Mark Waldrop directs.
Upstairs at Studio 54 is located in Manhattan at 254 West 54th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. The revue will play Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 PM, Saturdays at 7 and 10 PM with matinees on Wednesdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. Tickets are priced at $60, although $25 seats are available by calling (212) 947-8844 and mentioning the code LHDFEM9.
