Vicky Friedman

When looking at the impressive and diverse CV of all round performer; singer, actress, choreographer Vicky Friedman, you could be forgiven for thinking that you would be seeing “a veteran” before you – yet, this 20-something IS actually a veteran within the local entertainment industry, having graced the stage for the first time at the tender age of 5 in a production of The King and I, and she hasn’t stopped working since!

The recent announcement of the 2007 Naledi nominations, for which Vicky has been nominated in the “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role”, is further proof and validation that all the hard work she has put into our entertainment industry is now showing the fruits of that labour.

The nomination is for her portrayal of Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, currently staged at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City Casino, and is a role that Vicky confirms is definitely a highlight of her career.

Says Vicky; “Playing Penny has been delicious! What a gift to play a geeky, awkward and funny teenager who has a Cinderella transformation at the end of the show!”

She continues; “It’s such an honour to be acknowledged with this Naledi nomination, portraying a character that I love turning myself into each evening!”

Off-stage Vicky is petite and soft spoken, but has a transformation of her own when she walks onto any stage which she immediately sets alight with her phenomenal stage presence – the stage is the place where she is destined to be. And judging from the audience response each evening as the Hairspray curtain comes down, members of the public certainly agree.

Talking to Vicky, it’s a delight to see her commitment to all facets of the industry, and her choreography is another avenue that she is passionate about and also receiving ever increasing recognition within artistic circles.

Vicky is relishing the current opportunity of being the Choreographer on the upcoming The Rocky Horror Show soon to open at the newly refurbished Victory Theatre in Houghton Estate, working alongside director Maralin Vanrenen and a phenominal young cast.

“I have always wanted to work on The Rocky Horror Show”, says Vicky, “The show is sexy and funny all at the same time and I think that the choreography should reflect that. I can’t wait for it to open to see a new generation of fans of this wonderful cult musical. We have a delightful cast to mould, and I certainly believe they will be amongst our future stars of the industry”.

Vicky is no stranger to the South African stage, having performed in many productions including; Cinders and her Fella, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie, Sleeping Beauty, and the international production Boogie Nights. Most recently SA audiences have seen Vicky as one of the six merry murderesses in Chicago, in which she also understudied the lead role of Velma Kelly; and understudied Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.