Musical Parody of The Golden Girls Sets Dates

Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical, an unauthorized musical parody inspired by the beloved TV sitcom The Golden Girls has set dates at the Kraine Theatre. The show, which features a book and direction by Nick Brennan, lyrics and design by Luke Jones and music by Jeff Thomson, begins preview on May 24 and will open on May 31.

The timing is unfortunately apt. Original Golden Girl, Bea Arthur, died on April 25, and though the Tony-winning actress was not connected to Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical, audiences will no doubt think of her portrayal of Dorothy on the sitcom while viewing the parody.

Like the sitcom, the musical follows four women over 60. In this version, they are Blanchette, the varicose-veined vixen, Dorthea, the brainy ball-buster, Roz, the lovable airhead, and Sophie, the wisecracking spitfire. They are spending their golden years together in a bungalow in Miami. But when gay pop superstar Lance Bass moves next door, his loud outdoor sex parties keep the quartet of cheesecake-loving retirees awake. The solution pits the gays against the girls at the annual Shady Oaks Retirement Home Talent Show: if the women win, then no more sex parties; if the gays garner top prize, the sassy seniors must serve as the party's clean-up crew. Singing, dancing and hilarity undoubtedly ensues.

The spoof features original music plus parodies of songs from your Broadway musicals, including Dreamgirls, Chicago and 9 to 5. Directed by Nick Brennan, the production stars Lavinia Draper, Chad Ryan, director/librettist Brennan, Brad Loekle, Jody Wood and lyricist/designer Jones. The choreography is by Justin Wingenroth.

The production will play through July 12.