MARIA FRIEDMAN to headline Orchestra Lumos’ annual gala
Orchestra Lumos is honored to include eighttime Olivier Award nominee Maria Friedman as the headliner of this season’s gala.
Friedman has starred in numerous renowned works, including Dot in the original London production of “Sunday in the Park with George,” the narrator in the film version of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Mother in “Ragtime,” Fosca in “Passion,” and her one-woman, self-produced cabaret performance, “Maria Friedman By Special Arrangement.” Her critically acclaimed revue, “Maria Friedman – LEGACY,” earned remarkable acclaim when it debuted earlier this year. This fall, Friedman will direct a revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” on Broadway through the New York Theatre Workshop, starring Daniel Radcliffe. This year’s gala presents a spectacular cabaret performance by Friedman based on her sell-out show “Legacy” at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory last spring. Here she recalls past experiences working with three of the greatest composers of all time: Marvin Hamlisch of “A Chorus Line,” Michael Legrand of “The Windmills of Your Mind,” and Stephen Sondheim of “Broadway Baby.” Friedman will perform an alluring selection of their beloved works, including “The Way We Were,” “Papa, Can You Hear Me,” “Being Alive,” and many more. The evening will be unique in that it is Friedman’s sole performance in North America this year. Also performing is award-winning music director/composer Todd Ellison, who has been hailed by The New York Times as one of “Broadway’s electric conductors.” He has conducted more than 20 albums while accompanying the likes of Beyoncé, Meryl Streep, Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and more. He will be joined by two exquisite musical theater voices: Ross Lekites of “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” and Lewis Cleale of “The Book of Mormon.” This year’s gala presents a lineup of celebrated, diverse artists as well as up-and-coming artists local to the Fairfield area. Orchestra Lumos’ commitment to engagement and education is led by their firstever, full-time Engagement and Education Manager, Nicolas Gonzalez. Students from Sacred Heart University’s Theatre Arts Program in Fairfield and the Staples Players of Westport are also set to take the stage, many of whom will make their professional debuts. This is one of many initiatives expected to improve community engagement within Fairfield County and specifically with emerging musicians, which honors a mission pertinent to Orchestra Lumos as well as Friedman. “An Evening with Maria Friedman” hits The Palace Theatre in Stamford on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit