The Woman In White: Maria Friedman to take brief medical leave

Maria Friedman, currently starring in The Woman In White on Broadway, will take a brief medical leave of absence from the production. Miss Friedman learned today that she must undergo surgery for stage 1 breast cancer on the 3 Nov and is expected to require a few days for recovery before returning to the show.

Miss Freidman will play tonight and tomorrow night's performance (there is no matinee tomorrow). An understudy will assume the role of Marian Halcombe in her absence.

Producer Bob Boyett said today, "Maria is our star, our friend and the beloved anchor of this company. We wish her and her family well over the next several weeks and we look forward to welcoming her back for her first Broadway opening night."

The Woman In White is scheduled to open as announced on the 17 Nov 2005.

Now in previews at the Marquis Theatre, The Woman In White is directed by Trevor Nunn and features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by David Zippel and a book by Charlotte Jones.