Editor’s note: This show has been canceled as of July 30, producers announced.
When the musical parody of “Friends” makes its way to San Diego next month, the audience will see a familiar face playing the cherished character of “Rachel.”
Sami Griffith, a UC San Diego graduate, stars in the off-Broadway production written by Bob and Tobly McSmith. Featuring the six characters that created a cult-like following in the 1990s, “Friends! The Musical Parody,” retells all the favorite stories that were seen during the television show’s 10-year run. It also features fun and catchy songs such as “How you doin’?” and “We were on a break!”
Griffith, who graduated from the local university with a degree in music and a minor in theatre, said she was excited to be cast as Rachel for the show’s national tour.
Griffith said she had an early start in acting but didn’t truly discover her passion for it until she joined The Muir Musical, a series of productions, at UCSD. That led her to joining the Collaborative Arts Project 21, a professional training program in New York City.
But one of the highlights of her career is joining the cast of “Friends!”
“When they announced a national tour, I was thrilled to audition for Rachel as she has always been my favorite,” Griffith said. “As a huge ‘Friends’ fan myself, it’s so fun to reminisce alongside the audience.”
Griffith, whose biggest influences have been Sarah Silverman and Amy Poehler, said the show is unique in that the writers “have done a wonderful job simultaneously poking fun and sending a love letter all at the same time.”
“This musical is all 10 seasons of ‘Friends’ thrown into a blender and set to music,” Griffth said. “It’s the ending we all know and love but how we get there is a hilarious surprise. The cast is incredible and you can tell we are truly friends on and offstage.”
“Friends! The Musical Parody” plays at the Lyceum Theatre from Aug. 6 to Aug. 11. Tickets start at $35.
For more information, go to http://friendsparodyontour.com/.
