A Musical Parody of Sitcoms – For Fans Only

Feb 28, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susie Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

Sitcoms (situation comedies) started on the radio. You may have heard of “The Goldbergs” which aired from 1929-1946 and then moved to television in 1949. Sitcoms tend to be 30-minute shows that feature the same characters from episode to episode facing everyday situations that often turn comedic. Much of the humor, which is lighthearted, strikes a chord with the audience by poking fun at common everyday, relatable situations. Sitcoms are designed to make viewers laugh while offering an escape from reality and providing comfort by playing out viewers’ fantasies.

Musical Parodies in NYC

Three popular sitcoms found their way just off Broadway, as musical parodies all located at The Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center 210 West 50th Street New York City. They are The Office, Seinfeld, and Friends, all written by Bob and Tobly McSmith. The McSmith brothers have written a variety of sitcom musicals that have played in New York, Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, Australia, and Poland.

These musical parodies are written for an audience of true fans full of spoofs of familiar episodes. They offer a showcase for up-and-coming talent in an intimate setting. The productions at the Jerry Orbach Theater opened in June 2023 and are scheduled to close in June 2024.

The Office was a mock documentary with a series of interviews, ‘confessionals’ ostensibly showing a typical office. The premise is to poke fun at inappropriate immature office behavior, featuring an overconfident, do-nothing manager, Michael Scott who bought himself a ‘Best Boss’ coffee mug, and despite claiming to be busy, does nothing all day. The show makes a mockery of working in an office environment.

Before attending a performance of The Office! A Musical Parody we binge-watched it to remind ourselves of the storyline and thematic elements. We were prepared for the show. True appreciation for these shows requires knowledge of the source content.  The script is aimed at a knowledgeable fan base.

The Office! A Musical Parody

The Office! A Musical Parody is based on the TV series making fun of inappropriate office culture, the stage version is a Diversity Equity, and Inclusion nightmare, filled with inappropriate office romances, and blatant sexual innuendo.

With a run time of approximately two hours (including an intermission). The show covers all nine seasons creating a high-energy spectacle, with bits including ‘That’s What She Said’, Dwight’s desire to become Manager at the Dunder Mifflin paper company (calling himself Assistant Manager rather than his actual title which was Assistant to the Manager), the branch closing, and the company being sold. The show references many iconic bits from the show including Kevin’s famous chili, rabies, and other skits that feel disconnected for non-fans – but they are nonetheless silly.

Wigs do wonders for creating an on-stage likeness and embodiment of the television characters. The cast played their roles incredibly well, a standout was Annabelle Grace Woodard who played the main role, Michael Scott. That said, it was quickly apparent that the actors were not selected based on their resemblance to the stars from the TV show which added to the comedic effect, although the mannerisms were easily recognizable, as was the set.

This parody is a show for those who love The Office.

Singfeld! A Musical About Nothing! Features Jerry and his three best friends, George, Elaine, and Kessler in New York City

Friends The Unauthorized Musical Parody Celebrates the misadventures of these iconic 20-somethings dealing with work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan, including the coffee shop, Central Perk.

For Fans

These musical parodies are best seen by loyal fans who are obsessed with the original sitcoms and familiar with the plots, characters, and running themes. The Office was cleverly written encapsulating the essence of the show, but it is not something you will ‘pick up on’ during the performance – the subtleties will be lost on the novice viewer.  For real fans, bringing these shows to the stage can be magical. The situations were silly, and the performers were amazing, demonstrating their ability to sing and dance.

Finally, there is a creative outlet for frustrated fans who long for a fix of their favorite sitcoms from the past.