Entitled Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman, the revue will play Upstairs at Studio 54 beginning Oct. 9 with an official opening set for Oct. 23. The cast includes The Wild Party's Alix Korey, Victor/Victoria's Anne Runolfsson, Show Boat's Joe Cassidy and Friedman himself. Mark Waldrop — of When Pigs Fly fame — will direct.
About the upcoming production, composer Friedman said, "This show is a dream come true for me. To see my songs realized theatrically and to take the stage with such an incredible ensemble of performers is truly extraordinary." Theatregoers can expect to hear such Friedman classics as "Listen to My Heart" (recorded by both Laurie Beechman and Nancy LaMott), "Help Is On the Way" (written and recorded by LaMott) and the comedic show-stopper "My Simple Christmas Wish."
The creative team for Listen to My Heart includes Michael Anania (scenic design), Markas Henry (costume design) and Matt Berman (lighting and sound design).
David Friedman has served as musical director for such Broadway productions as Saravà, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song & Dance and Beauty and the Beast. He was also the conductor and vocal arranger for the Disney films “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Friedman wrote the music and lyrics to Disney’s “Aladdin and the King of Thieves,” and his musical with Peter Kellogg — Desperate Measures — will play Dallas County's Lyric Stage, April 30-May 15, 2004.
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 — priced $60-$65 — are available by calling (212) 239-6200. For more information, visit http://ListenToMyHeartSite.com.
