Christopher Walker reviews Legacy by musical leading lady Maria Friedman

When Maria Friedman decides to put on a show, we should all pay attention, writes Christopher Walker.

Especially at the wonderful Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre, scene of her considerable triumph in Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. Now, Maria offers musical lovers – Legacy.

A musical leading lady of immense talent, Maria has crafted a wonderful evening of anecdotes and show songs.

It is a laughs and tears romp through her extensive relationship with three of the greatest composers of musicals.

Marvin Hamlisch, Michel Legrand, and Stephen Sondheim. If you love them, you’ll love this, and you simply must go.

Maria Friedman is one of the greatest stars in the musical theatre worlds of London and New York.

She has won no less than three Olivier awards, and performed principal roles in A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, and Sweeney Todd.

A versatile virtuoso, she can act and sing, and is even familiar to TV viewers of EastEnders.

During her wonderful monologues between numbers we learn just how close her relationship was with the three musical giants who are the subjects of Legacy.

We learn she sang at Marvin Hamlisch’s funeral (alongside such musical goddesses as Liza Minelli, Barbra Streisand, and Aretha Franklin). And at Legacy’s opening night I sat behind Marvin’s widow Tina Hamlisch who to everyone’s delight got up on stage herself to add a few stories.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Maria sang Hamlisch’s The Way We Were across the audience to Tina.

Indeed, this is a very personal evening. Early on Maria kicks off her high heels and remains barefoot in stockings for the duration.

She gives us plenty of confessions about her life and career, and the experience is made even more intimate by the Menier’s smallish space. At times I felt like I was sitting in her living room being entertained.

Maria ropes in two of her leading men of yesteryear, both faultless performers.

Ian McLarnon , seen at the National Theatre in Sondheim’s Follies, reprises his hit in that show, The-God-Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me-Blues, supported hilariously by bass player Paul Moylan in a variety of ladies’ hats!

Maria also mines Follies to deliver a wonderful performance of Losing my Mind.

Other leading man, Matthew White joins the fun. He can himself boast three Olivier awards and most recently directed the Menier’s hit show The Boyfriend. He sings a wonderful duo with Maria – Sweeney Todd’s A Little Priest.

It is to Maria’s credit that she also showcases new, young, talent. So we are introduced to Desmonda Cathabel who has come to London from Indonesia to follow her musical dreams.

And Maria’s own son, the truly wonderful Alfie Friedman who has the looks and the voice to go far. Very far.

There is also a chorus of newcomers from The Royal Academy of Music Choir.

There were several who stood out, who I shall watch for in the future. They put real feeling, and meaning, into Hamlisch’s newcomers audition number I Hope I Get it.

Joe Evans is perfect on drums, and musical director Theo Jamieson mans the piano all through a very demanding evening.

What a tireless talent. His outstanding skill is shown when all five of the principals, or “friends” as Maria calls them, come together for a fabulous syncopated, jazz rendition of Legrand’s The Windmills of Your Mind.

The Menier is the perfect space for an evening like this. Intimate yes, but capable of giving the evening some pizazz, especially with Paul Pryant’s lighting which hints of Broadway.

Lovers of musicals really must go.

https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com

 

Pictured: Maria Friedman & Friends ©Nobby Clark