Robert Freedman
Robert L. Freedman is currently slaying audiences eight times a week on Broadway with his most powerful weapon—his words – as book writer and co-lyricist of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. The show has been receiving nothing but rave reviews and rapturous ovations at the Walter Kerr Theatre—not a bad way for Robert to make his Broadway debut. He may be new to the Great White Way, but his illustrious career also includes “Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella,” HBO's “A Deadly Secret” (for which he received the Writers Guild of America Award) and his Emmy-nominated teleplay for the critically acclaimed “Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows,” which he also produced. We're excited to steal him away from his next project for a few minutes to get him On the Couch.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
A sense of humor.
What was your proudest moment?
It's a tie: My son's Bar Mitzvah, and the opening night of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder on Broadway.
What is your favorite drink?
Diet Coke. With a lemon wedge. A Diet Coke soaked lemon wedge makes a great palate cleanser, by the way.
What is your favorite food?
A really great steak, medium rare.
What is your favorite condiment?
Butter. On bread, not on steak.
What is your current obsession?
Campaign of the Century, a new musical I'm working on with Steven Lutvak and Darko Tresnjak.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Caring what other people think about me.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
To have a musical on Broadway. So I guess I'm done!
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Books. Real ones, with pages and covers and print. But I don't consider it a waste, ever.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Surfing the internet, without a doubt. Whatever I used to do to procrastinate before the internet was mere child's play.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Anxiety.
What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Caring about others less fortunate, striving for social justice.
What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
To associate an over-abundance of food with happiness.
What in the world most thrills you?
The sound of laughter at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
People who are famous for doing nothing. But I suppose that's nothing new.
What was the single most embarrassing moment you've ever experienced on the job?
Impossible to choose just one. I embarrass myself with great regularity.
What is your favorite place in the world?
Wherever my loved ones are.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
A sense of humor.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Dogs. I'm not a cat lover. I don't even like the musical.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
Being with the people I love and laughing until it hurts.
What is your personal motto?
Pigs can fly!