Rosalind Roz)Friedman

Theater Critic, Writer, Composer.

I'm very proud to be one of the founding members of the Ct Critics Circle. I was responsible for suggesting the award named for Tom Killen, a gifted young colleague who died from complications from AIDS just before our organization was formed.

It is no wonder that I have spent my life devoted to the arts- I was named for a Shakespearean heroine-Rosalind in "As you Like It." From childhood, I also was obsessed with writing: short stories, poetry, parodies, and original musicals. My piano teacher at Bard College, Paul Nordoff, who wanted me to focus solely on music, used to say,"What are you gonna write-- the next "Forever Amber?" (I received my BA degree in English, Music and Psychology from NYU-and my MA in English Studies and Education there, as well (Honors.) In Tucson, Arizona, I was the Valedictorian of my high school class of eight!

I've enjoyed almost thirty years as the theater critic at WMNR 88.1FM Fine Arts Radio, establishing the THEATER CIRCUIT, when the 600 watt station was housed at Masuk High School in Monroe and had maybe 125 listeners. (My theater review and info program airs 4 times a week: Tues and Thursday at 5:55PM and Saturday and Sunday at Noon) At that time, I was the theater critic for the Manchester Herald, a newspaper in Manchester, Ct. until its demise. Before and during and after that time, I taught music and English in public and private schools, had an English tutoring service, a public relations firm, and wrote articles on every subject for every publication, including the NY Times, Ct Weekly, while helping my husband develop his law firm, and raising three sons. I worked for the Brooks News and Profiles Magazine in Westport for over ten years. (I have been very active in volunteer work in Trumbull over the past 40 odd years.)

A composer, I've written a Cantata for women honoring the UN Beijing Women's Conference, which premiered at Fairfield University, and many original musicals that have been performed throughout Fairfield County. An original musical for children, Hanukkah Holiday, has been accepted for publication by the Samuel French Company.