Alan Foster Friedman

1931 - 2015

Alan Foster Friedman

1931-2015. Alan Foster Friedman, playwright, composer, lyricist, was born in Buffalo, NY, and grew up in Los Angeles. His theatrical quest began as a young Stage Manager at the Circle Theatre. Alan left L.A. in his twenties to become a composer in NYC. Part of Tamiment's amazing roster, he was signed by BMI and wrote cabaret revue numbers in partnership and independently for Off-Broadway, Broadway "Talent 59," and Julius Monk's, UPSTAIRS AT THE DOWNSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS AT THE UPSTAIRS (including Monk's LPs). Alan Foster Friedman was the original composer of the 1964 Broadway show, BAKER STREET.

In the following decade, The Equity Library Theatre at Lincoln Center produced Mr. Friedman's A MUSICAL TIMEPIECE. He was Associate Producer on "The Stanley Siegel Show" (WABC-TV), and book writer for THE NEWCOMERS, a musical that evolved into Friedman's play, A DAY OUT OF TIME (Ellis Island 1906). Selected by TCG's Plays in Process, it premiered at The New Federal Theatre in NYC, and at L.A.'s Colony Theatre. Mr. Friedman discussed its inception with The L.A. Times, June 1986, and with Martin Workman on KFAC's "Luncheon at the Music Center." The Detroit Repertory and Houston's Main Street Theatre staged the work. Mr. Friedman was a member of The Dramatist Guild, ASCAP, and The Writers Guild.

During the 1980s, Alan won the prestigious Beverly Hills "Leslie Playwright Award" for A KING IN RUINS about an artist. THE LAST DANCEMAN, about an ex-vaudevillian, was produced by The New Federal Theatre and reviewed by The Village Voice. His underscoring won an ASCAP award. Friedman was Staff Writer on Aaron Spelling's "Aloha, Paradise." His whimsical play about fatherhood, THE ADVENTURES OF STANLEY TOMORROW, won ISU's Playwrights Competition, was staged by The Allen Theatre, and Indianapolis' Edyvean Repertory in 2002. His passion for The City of Lights, travels, and 400+ pertinent books inspired Friedman's drama, A PARIS WINDOW, but Alan beamed that "his best creation was his 'Made in Paris' son Ari, who will always have his name in its Center!". Alan corresponded with favorite authors, wrote everything by typewriter, and possessed Remington and Royal manuals and three electrics. He emphasized the need to "mine" the source of a work and "get the words in the right order!" Alan was striking in looks even in older age. His wife Sam noted his "resemblance" to essayist Thomas Carlyle. Amused, Alan kept Carlyle's image next to one of himself on his desk.

The Friedmans' move to idyllic Vermont fostered Alan's return composing. He worked diligently on a libretto, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A HOUSE, celebrating life in the tiny state. Unfinished, its extant 2003 songs were recorded, and in one, Alan expressed his delight in "Old Books." His rousing solo composition, "We Are New York!" honors 9/11. His last project was revising his play about a poet, COUNTING SILVER, also set in Vermont. Typewriters silent, Alan Friedman leaves devoted wife Sammie, son Ari, and hound Thurber; his sister Susan Galpert of CA, relatives, and life-long friends on both Coasts. Donations to: loozianabassetrescue.org.

Visit burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries to Express condolences and sign the guest book.