During previews of The Woman in White, it was announced that Friedman had been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. She had surgery on November 3 and was back in the show by November 10.
This latest bit of surgery was an outpatient procedure. "Because her course of treatment is still being determined, the date of Maria's return to the production is not set," a production statement read, "but it is hoped she will re-join the show as early as this weekend."