At the
CAFE CARLYLE(2003) and 2004 "By Special Arragement":
2004
"There are several moments of inspiration, beauty, and artfulness in
the show. For instance, Friedman's combination of "Springtime" from the Vilna Ghetto with "Somewhere" from West Side Story is deeply moving and utterly inspired." Barbara and Scott Seigal, Seigal's Nightlife Review
"Marias song list was eclectic, running from a new reading of Noel Cowards
If Love Were All to an amusing Short People by Randy Newman. If there was any noticeable faltering, it was with
If You Go Away, the Jacques Brel number with English lyric by Rod McKuen." Peter Leavy, CabaretScenes.com
"Much more relaxed in her return engagement to the Café Carlyle
(through May 1, 2004), British star Maria
Friedman is delivering a polished show full of warmth and first-class singing under the title "By Special Arrangement." By
William Wolf. Wolf Entertainment Guide.
2003
"Friedman is an accomplished musical theater actress..." Barbara and
Scott Seigal. The Seigal's Nightlife Review.
"Maria Friedman, its current
starring occupant, a compact (and elegant) woman. But there's nothing small about her sound, a soaring, room-filling voice
currently wrapping itself around the works of Sondheim." Blake Green. Newsday.com
"Ms. Friedman brings together two distinct strains of British theatrical performance -- one
demure and semi-operatic, the other fiercely zany." Stephen Holden. The New York Times.
"Throughout the program, Ms. Friedmans vibrant eyes and glorious
diction captivate the audience." Brad Bradley.
RAGTIME:
"Maria Friedman makes the mother a figure of instinctive charity and sings with her familiar passionate sincerity." Michael
Billington, The Guardian
"Maria Friedman
delivers the performance of a superstar." Kevin OSullivan. The Mirror
"Maria Friedman
is in full, strong voice." Susannah Clapp. The Observer
"Maria Friedman's
mother, the voice of white decency and all-American hope has enough simple passion and sweetness to cope with Flaherty's(music
composer) more soaring odes". Benidict Nightingale. The Times.