They are six of the world’s best-known friends and they’re back on stage at the Regal Theatre this month for Friends! The Musical Parody.
By Ara Jansen
When you put together the names Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross, it can only mean one thing – Friends!
Join those favourite friends at the Central Perk for a night of unstoppable laughs in a musical that lovingly lampoons the beloved NBC sitcom.
Friends! The Musical Parody celebrates the misadventures of the iconic 20-something pals as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan. It’s a typical day at the Central Perk until an unexpected runaway bride arrives and kicks the whole gang out of second gear.
This theatre show plucks the best moments from Friends’ decade-long run and recreates the moments through an uncensored, fast-paced and music-filled romp.
The much-loved original television sitcom starred Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer and ran for 10 seasons. It also featured the opening theme I’ll Be There for You which went No. 1 in numerous countries after it was turned into a proper song by The Rembrandts.
Produced by Sam Klingner, Friends! The Musical Parody is drawing people of all ages as it tours Australia. Surprisingly, Klingner says it’s not just Friends’ fans but people of all ages who want to have a fun and entertaining night out. Many people are also wearing their favourite Friends merchandise to the shows.
“I love that people can spend a few hours in a theatre and forget everything else,” he says. “They can laugh and smile and be thoroughly entertained.
“One of things which made the original Friends so popular was how relatable the show was – it’s about life. That speaks to everyone.”
All the music in the show is original and fashioned around iconic moments from the TV show. Friends’ boffins will find plenty to delight them, and musical theatre lovers will also recognise cleverly placed references from other Broadway musicals.
This Australian production features WAAPA graduate Maverick Newman as Chandler alongside a cast who were not only required to be able to sing, dance and act, they also needed to have comedy chops.
“It’s a fast-paced show with no time to stop and think. For the cast, there isn’t a moment when they’re not doing something. When we were looking for the characters, we were looking for people who could parody the mannerisms of the characters, to make people laugh. We spent a lot of time on that because it’s 100% dialling it up from the TV show. We auditioned more than 500 people across the country to find just the right cast.”
Choreographer Cameron Mitchell is the in-house “Friendspert” when there was any question about the TV show and plenty of the cast and crew are also longtime fans of the sitcom.
Friends! The Musical Parody is at the Regal Theatre from September 9-11. Bookings from www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 795 012.