Friends probably won’t be getting a TV reboot anytime soon. But come next fall, AOL reports that fans of the classic ‘90s sitcom will be able to indulge their nostalgia (and see Chandler Bing sing show tunes that aren’t from Annie) by seeing Friends! The Musical!.
Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe will be back, and ready to take the off-Broadway stage by storm. The musical—which is slated to debut at New York's Triad Theatre in late 2017—follows the gang as they “navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan,” according to a press release.
That said, don't expect for Friends! The Musical! to be a faithful adaptation of the TV show. Since the show is off-Broadway, its cast will likely be comprised of New York actors with '90s hairstyles, not the TV show's original stars. Friends! The Musical! will also be edgier than its small-screen predecessor: Its creators are Bob and Tobly McSmith, the satirical songsters behind shows including 90210! The Musical!, Katdashians! The Musical! and the Saved by the Bell parody Bayside! The Musical!
“Not only do we poke fun and celebrate the show, we also get some jokes in about the actor’s lives,” Tobly Smith told Entertainment Weekly.
Revealed song titles include “The Only Coffee Shop in New York City,” “45 Grove Street–How Can We Afford This Place?” and “The One Where We Make a Million Dollars An Episode.” And don’t worry: You’ll probably hear a rendition of “Smelly Cat.”
"There will be a smelly cat, there will be Janice, and there will be Fat Monica,” Tobly Smith told EW. “We want all the alumni of Friends to come to the show and possibly be in it for a night or two—our first call is to the agent of Marcel the Monkey.”
Tickets for Friends! The Musical! will go on sale in June, and show dates will be revealed soon. For more information, visit the production’s website.