The Real Live Golden Girls

I about DIED when I first saw "The Real Live Brady Bunch" in Westwood in the early '90s (yes, I was a little OBSESSED with that family -- who wasn't? -- even opting out of first high school dance to stay home to watch "The Brady Brides"). I'm guessing all of my friends who are equally fanatical about the Golden Girls -- I'm talking about you, Mr. Diaz! -- will similarly appreciate the upcoming parody of the show, "Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical," running May 24-July 12 at The Kraine Theater:

In the show, four women over 60 (Blanchette, the varicose-veined vixen; Dorthea, the brainy ball-buster; Roz, the lovable airhead; and Sophie, the wisecracking spitfire) 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 ensues!

This wholly unauthorized parody features original music plus parodies of songs from your favorite Broadway musicals. Book by Nick Brennan, lyrics by Luke Jones and music by Jeff Thomson. Directed by Nick Brennan, the production stars Lavinia Draper (Therapy Thursdays), Chad Ryan, Nick Brennan ("Facts of Life: The Lost Episode"), Brad Loekle (Sirius XM Radio’s "Morning Jolt"), Jody Wood and Luke Jones with choreography by Justin Wingenroth and design by Luke Jones.

"Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical" runs May 24 - July 12, Sundays at 8 p.m.. The Kraine Theater is located at 85 E. 4th St. (between 2nd & 3rd avenues -- accessible from the F train at 2nd Ave). Tickets are $20, available at 212-352-3101 or by clicking HERE.