FRIENDS! The Musical Parody

By: Jennifer Verzuh

It’s virtually impossible not to have an opinion on the series “Friends,” good or bad. Whether you watched it live during it’s insanely successful ten year reign on NBC, discovered it through endless syndicated reruns or binged the show on Netflix, the sitcom has become so ingrained in our culture (as well as so many others’ worldwide) that nearly all of us have at the very least seen the most iconic episodes. FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, which is in the midst of its North American tour, is a loving ode to the show and its cast as well as a scathing critique. Regardless of your relationship to the show “Friends,” if you’ve seen at least a handful of episodes you’ll laugh throughout.

The musical begins where the series does: with the original five friends (Phoebe, Monica, Ross, Chandler and Joey) at their favorite hangout Central Perk when Monica’s old friend Rachel shows up having just run off from her wedding. She is immediately integrated into the friend group and becomes Monica’s new roommate. The show then quickly runs through the events of the ten seasons including Ross and Rachel’s relationship, Joey’s acting career, Phoebe’s pregnancy, Chandler and Monica’s engagement and more.

Everyone in this cast truly brings their A-game, fully committing to their part and the zany, frantic comedic tone presented here. While they’re all tasked with doing an impression, and do so quite well, they all genuinely have great singing voices and strong chemistry with one another. Special kudos belong to Aaron C. Rutherford though. He not only plays Chandler, and does so with charm and a perfect amount of dry wit, but he also earns the musical’s biggest laughs appearing briefly as some of the series’ best recurring characters and guest stars. He takes on the roles of Ross’ monkey, Tom Selleck, Rachel’s love interest Paulo, Phoebe’s evil twin Ursula and the scene stealing Janice to absolutely hysterical effect. His delivery of the famous phrase “Oh. My. Gawwd” is perhaps even more iconic than the original line’s reading on the show.

For a parody show, the music (by Assaf Gleizner with lyrics by book writers Bob and Tobly McSmith) is surprisingly solid as well, if not super memorable. It’s painstakingly funny as the numbers reference key moments and lines from the show, such as Joey’s big number “How You Doing, Ladies?” and Ross’ “We Were on a Break!” Songs like these call out unrealistic plot points (“495 Grove Street – How Can We Afford This Place?”) and, impressively, are quite catchy at times. The Ross and Rachel ballad “Will They or Won’t They” has actually managed to log itself in my brain since I saw the show. Musical theatre fans will also enjoy how the show spoofs tunes from Chicago, Rent and Fiddler on the Roof within the soundtrack.

Ultimately, if you buy a ticket for FRIENDS! The Musical Parody you know exactly what you’ll be getting just by virtue of the title. At its essence, this is a five minute “Saturday Night Live” sketch stretched into a ninety-minute stage show, but it’s as enjoyable, clever, energetic and fun as one could hope with a talented cast to boot. And it promises to be a good time for “Friends” fans and haters alike.

The show is playing between now and August 4th at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Afterwards, it will continue on to San Diego, California.

Tickets Can Be Purchased Here: