David Friedman | |
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| Born | David Allen Friedman 1950 (age 74–75) New York City, New York, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Film andTheatercomposer Songwriter Author Lyricist Conductor Public speaker |
David Allen Friedman (born 1950) is afilm andtheatrecomposer,songwriter,author,lyricist andconductor based inNew York City.[1] He received a 1997Backstage Bistro Award for Composer of the Year[2] and a 1997Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriter of the Year,[3][4] and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th AnnualMAC Awards.[5] Hisoratorio,King Island Christmas, won aFrederick Loewe Award andDramatists Guild Award.[6] David's musicalDesperate 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.
Friedman's original songs include "Listen to My Heart",[1][7] "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" (withDavid Zippel), and "My Simple Christmas Wish". In January 2003, Friedman published the music bookListen 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".[8] Following upon the book, Friedman in October 2003 debuted his musical review by the same name.[1][9][10]
Friedman was conductor of the music scores forDisney's animated features,[1] includingBeauty and the Beast,Aladdin,Pocahontas,The Hunchback of Notre Dame,[11] and was vocal contractor forMulan.[12] Songs written by Friedman have been featured in theDisney filmAladdin and the King of Thieves,[13]The Lizzie McGuire Movie,Bambi 2,[14][15] in the movieSalsa and in threeanimatedtelevision series;Happy Ness,Sky Dancers, andDragon Flyz.[16]
Friedman is a regular on theToday Show "Everyone Has a Story" series, and partners with Kathie Lee Gifford to write a new song each month,[17] which he performs with a current Broadway star on the first Thursday of each month.[1][18][19][20]
Friedman has also worked in theatre, on severalBroadway musicals, serving asmusical director for such original Broadway productions such asSaravá,Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,Song & Dance andBeauty and the Beast.[11][21]
Friedman is the composer of 4 musicals withTony Award Nominated book writer/lyricistPeter Kellogg.[22]Nicolette & Aucassin, based upon the 13th Century romanceAucassin et Nicolette,[23] has been produced at locations such as theLittle Shubert Theatre inNew York City,[24] theWestport Country Playhouse, and thePrince Music Theater inPhiladelphia.[2]
AChristmasoratorio calledKing Island Christmas, written withlibrettist Deborah Brevoort,[25] has had over 40 productions worldwide. Friedman was also co-composer, withDavid Pomeranz andKathie Lee Gifford, of the musicalScandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson about the life ofAimee Semple McPherson, which debuted in 2005 asSaving Aimee and reachedBroadway in 2012.[26]
In 2009, he released amusical playStunt Girl, (now titled "Front Page Girl") in association with author/lyricist Peter S. Kellogg,[11] and developed in association with theVillage Theatre inSeattle, based on the life ofNellie Bly.[27][28][29] This was a project worked on together by Kellogg and Friedman for 10 years.[30]
Friedman and Kellogg'sDesperate Measures, and all-verseWesternmusical comedy based onWilliam Shakespeare'sMeasure for Measure premieredOff-Broadway at theYork Theatre in 2017.[31] The show was extended three times[32] and currently holds a 91% rating atShow-Score.[33]
David is currently working onTemple, a musical about the life ofTemple Grandin, in collaboration withElizabeth 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.
Friedman also wrote two songs forBarney's Great Adventure, the 1998 film, based thePBS Kids television seriesBarney & Friends.
In 2006, Friedman worked in the music department forWorld Trade Center, a biopic film based on theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks starringNicolas Cage.
Friedman is the creator of a metaphysical method called "The Thought Exchange", and in 2011 published abook by the same name.[34] Friedman appeared in the 2012documentary filmThe Thought Exchange, based on the book. The film was directed byUsher Morgan and starredLucie Arnaz,Arje Shaw and others.[35] In his book, Friedman admits to being diagnosed with severeagoraphobia at age 20. His being hospitalized for treatment was an experience which motivated him to create the Thought Exchange concept at a later age.[36]
Friedman's romantic partner since 2003 is Shawn Moninger, a four timeMAC Award-winning technical director,Unity minister, and emerging cabaret performer.[37] They live in Connecticut.[38]
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