The One With Friends had its premiere on October 7th & October 9th, 2016 at UCLA with a second production on December 3rd & December 4th, 2016 in NYC and a third production on January 27th, 2017 as a Guest Production on the Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage.
Directed by Ashley Griggs; Written by Joseph Mango; Featuring Miranda Wynne, Nick McLoughlin, Chloé Hung, and Lindsey Moore Ford
“The play illustrates with its actual characters, and its references to those in Friends,
that human connection is the most powerful tool we have for a good and rich life.”
— JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)
“It’s not often that you experience something that makes you take a look at yourself, and from there, makes
you want to be a better person. “The One with Friends” provides just that kind of experience…a sweet and
sensitive story that is sure to remind you that a little kindness goes a long way.”
“You brought a sensitive topic onto the stage and presented it in a way that was entertaining, relatable,
humorous, enlightening, and inspiring. The show was expertly written and directed,
and the actors did a spot-on performance. I left feeling changed.”
“A truly meaningful and funny and smart play with a lovely cast that conveys its complexity and hope.”
“It was warm, funny, and very touching.”
“It was absolutely wonderful and powerful. I teared up during some parts and laughed during the rest. It was a triumph.”
The One With the Press Articles
The One Where We Tell You About the Play
In a Santa Monica coffee shop, a struggling actor with depression and no confidence strikes up a conversation with a stranger–an assignment by his therapist. The stranger turns out to be an aspiring TV writer who is going through a depressed time herself and just happens to be writing the reunion episode for the beloved TV show Friends as a fun side project. As the two begin their road to getting to know each other (without the help of social media, apps, or phones) they find connection and healing through the beloved sitcom and soon discover that six “Friends” (Chandler, Monica, Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe) can change their lives.
The One Where We Tell You About the Research Study
This project is part of our center’s HEArts Program, which explores the effective use of patient narratives, media and creative arts to stimulate support, sharing and reflection to increase coping and compassion for mental illness. “The One With Friends” play explored how the arts (TV, theatre, film) can help promote healing and help de-stigmatize depression when accurately portrayed. For this, the audience was given the option to participate in a short anonymous survey to complete before and after the play to help us measure how the arts helps promote healing and to also measure depression stigma.
If You or Someone You Know is in Crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential.
The One Where We Give Special Thanks
Bonnie Zima | Elizabeth Lizaola | Kenneth Wells | Armen Arevian | Bowen Chung | Sheryl Kataoka | Matthew Plaia | Rosalinda Cárdenas | Erika Orellana
Kathy Dezeeuw | Alejandro Castro | Gene Gillespie | Mark Wheeler | KPCC | Daily Bruin | The Mighty
UCLA Center for Health Services and Society | UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center | NYU Tisch School of the Arts
