Michael Friedman has passed away

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 7:00pm

Such awful, unexpected news today. Rest in peace to this sensationally, singularly talented man. Thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones. 

 

https://twitter.com/EVincentelli/status/906649942952947715

 

per Michael Paulson, from complications related to HIV/AIDS

https://twitter.com/MichaelPaulson/status/906649896895295490

 

Been listening to this one on loop, such a tremendous, remarkable, unforgettable body of work he has left us:

https://youtu.be/FN_gp45QxxQ

Updated On: 9/9/17 at 07:00 PM

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 7:23pm

What an immense shame. He won't be forgotten.

[binau]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 7:43pm

What a shock! I didn't think people who were (assumably) on treatment died from HIV/AIDS anymore - especially at that age. So sad!

I guess his illness wasn't metaphorical after all, sorry. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 8:10pm

Horrible news.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 8:37pm

What a loss. BBAJ is one of those shows I just love immensely , despite it's flaws. All the best to his loved ones.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 8:37pm

qolbinau said: "What a shock! I didn't think people who were (assumably) on treatment died from HIV/AIDS anymore - especially at that age. So sad!

I guess his illness wasn't metaphorical after all, sorry."

HIV is really a family of viruses, some of which are way more virulent than others  

[newintown]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 9:23pm

Very sad news. His was a great talent.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 9:39pm

Such a talent. And so young too. Definitely gone too soon. BBAJ remains one of my favorite new scores of recent memory.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 11:36pm

That's so sad, he was far too young. Did anyone know that he had the disease?

[thattreegurl]

Posted: 9/10/17 at 12:35am

Such a sad, sudden loss. For some reason all I can listen to is The Tuba Song from his Love's Labor's Lost. All the great work he left behind will be treasured for years to come.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 9/11/17 at 1:30am

I noticed he was around for the first summer Encores show but then I did not see him at the 2 shows that followed. I inquired where he was to some staff members but nobody knew commenting that I was observant. RIP...sorry you went so young.....

[newintown]

Posted: 9/11/17 at 8:13am

I confess surprise that there are only 10 comments to this item; I really thought that he (his work) was more beloved.

[raddersons]

Posted: 9/11/17 at 9:43am

This really only hit me now, even though I knew about it all weekend. He was young, his career was just beginning. Very scary. With so many people I know trying to "make it" in this industry, "making it" in any capacity before you die is an achievement, because you don't know when it'll come. 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 9/11/17 at 9:54am

Well said, raddersons.

I was never familiar with Friedman, but to lose a musical theatre talent so young is always awful. For anyone interested, Wagner College already had Bloody Bloody lined up for its season this year. I'll bet they dedicate the run to him.

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 9/11/17 at 10:24am

Sad new. He was a talent, and in my limited personal interactions with him also seemed like a mentch. 

[Kad]

Posted: 9/12/17 at 11:55am

newintown said: "I confess surprise that there are only 10 comments to this item; I reallythought that he (his work) was more beloved."

It is beloved- but I don't think his work had a very far reach outside of NYC or the theatrical community. His shows were all short-lived and fairly niche, often by design. I don't think there are that many Civilians obsessives.

[IAMWHATIAM]

Posted: 9/12/17 at 12:16pm

Michael's death is very personal for many people I know, especially many young NYC-based artists. The lack of comment here does not in any way negate, invalidate or minimize his work or legacy, or reflect how beloved he is.  He's a real person who is being mourned and celebrated in the real world by real people who love and respect him and his work. We should all be so beloved.   

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/13/17 at 1:00am

I LOVE his music - I love "Pretty Filthy" - but I, for some reason, didn't realize he was so young! I thought he was a much older man. So sad! I adore his work. 

[missthemountains]

Posted: 9/13/17 at 1:10am

Was lucky enough to have met him only once. Unfortunately outside of BBAJ his work isn't well-known. Been listening to Saved and Pretty Filthy on Youtube. He was really something else.

[missthemountains]

Posted: 9/13/17 at 1:43am

Also--hopefully this isn't in bad taste, but, does anyone have a way I could see Pretty Filthy?

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 9/13/17 at 4:36am

Oh my god! I am in shock! You know how much I love and defend BBAJ. This is a Huge loss for musical theatre! I'm stunned! 

[CPB2]

Posted: 10/11/17 at 11:22am

Alex Kulak2 said: "That's so sad, he was far too young. Did anyone know that he had the disease?"

He didn't even know until 9 weeks before he passed. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/theater/michael-friedman-aids-death-theater.html
 

 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/11/17 at 11:26am

Oh my God, that is just horrible

[Kad]

Posted: 10/11/17 at 11:27am

Eustis even says that it seems Friedman hadn't been tested- or even gone to a doctor- in a long while.

What a tragic- and frustrating- end for someone who had so much to offer and such a bright future.

All the advancements in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment are totally useless if they are not utilized.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/11/17 at 12:14pm

A very tragic reminder. Please, please please boys (and girls) - get tested. And get tested often. For that matter - go to a doctor once a year for a routine check up even if you think you're absolutely healthy.