Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman will direct A Journey to the Past, a celebration of the work of Tony-winning musical theatre writing team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, June 6 at London's Lyric Theatre.
Friedman will also perform, singing "Back to Before" from her Olivier-winning turn as Mother in Ahrens and Flaherty's Ragtime. Additional casting will be announced.
The creative team also includes musical supervisor Simon Lee, musical director Michael Bradley, and set and lighting designer Andrew Exeter with casting by Leon Kay Casting.
Ahrens and Flaherty won Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Ragtime and were nominated for Academy and Golden Globes Awards for the animated feature film Anastasia, which features the hit "Journey to the Past" and was subsequently adapted for Broadway. Among their other works are the Olivier-winning Once On This Island (also the recipient of the 2018 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical), Seussical, Rocky, My Favorite Year, Dessa Rose, A Man of No Importance, The Glorious Ones, and Lucky Stiff as well as the upcoming Knoxville and Little Dancer.
Ahrens says, “After two long years of uncertainty, what a wonderful way to celebrate the return to theatre. I’m honored to have my work back on the boards in London!” Flaherty adds, “I can’t wait to have our music and lyrics back on the West End in the historic Lyric Theatre, under the direction of our Ragtime leading lady and friend, Maria Friedman. What an evening it’s going to be!”
Friedman will also be represented Off-Broadway later this year when she directs New York Theatre Workshop's revival of Merrily We Roll Along, starring Daniel Radcliffe. She will also direct the forthcoming London concert of The Witches of Eastwick. And, Maria Friedman & Friends–Legacy, celebrating the talents of late composers Marvin Hamlisch, Michel Legrand, and Stephen Sondheim, recently extended its limited engagement at London's Menier Chocolate Factory through April 17.
Click here for tickets to the Ahrens and Flaherty celebration.
