Since 2011, studios have been on the hunt for the next Bridesmaids. The Paul Feig-directed film, co-written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, reshaped the modern-day chick flick, opting for an unapologetic buddy comedy full of bawdy gags and memorable scenes fans still reference today.
In the film, maid of honor Annie and her group of raunchy bridesmaids become entangled in a series of shenanigans leading up to their friend Lilian’s wedding. The movie paved the way for similar films to be greenlit, and gave some viewers their first silver-screen introductions to powerhouse comedic actresses like Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne.
“[People] were holding their breath, waiting to see if lady comedies could work, and this was so life-changing for female actors,” says Valerie Witherspoon, the book and lyrics writer for Bridesmaids: The Unauthorized Movie Musical Parody, now playing at the Venue at the Orleans. “I didn’t realize it at the time … but it was a transformative show.”
Witherspoon, who also appears in and serves as associate producer for Friends! The Unauthorized Musical Parody at the Orleans, says reviving Bridesmaids as a spoof came purely of a desire to write something a little less family-friendly and a little more “girls’ night out, bachelorette party.” Rather than pondering how Ross will declare his love to Rachel in a two-minute ballad, Witherspoon’s Bridesmaids challenge became, “How do you write explosive diarrhea into a song?”
“We definitely take the piss out of the rom-com, the female buddy flick,” she says, adding that there’s even a song called “Meet Cute” that pokes fun at couple introduction tropes. “But then we also heightened it, and there’s some new characters we’ve added.”
New additions aside, the 90-minute musical parody is a fairly faithful tribute to Bridesmaids. All the iconic gross-outs and slapstick moments remain (Witherspoon couldn’t wait to resurrect the infamous Air Marshal airplane scene), as do all of the heartfelt story beats that ultimately make Bridesmaids an endearing comedy about camaraderie.
“A lot of people can relate to at least some of Annie,” says Nicole Unger, who stars as the zany maid of honor in the Orleans version. “We’ve all had those moments where our best friend, or someone we’re really close to, is taking this really huge life change, and they may not be taking you with them. … I think Annie has a really hard time communicating how she’s feeling. Then she finally figures it out towards the end of the show.”
Unger, like some of her castmates, also performs in Friends. You might also have caught the versatile performer in her such Vegas productions as Evil Dead the Musical at Planet Hollywood and Cherry Boom Boom at Tropicana. She has even portrayed The Little Mermaid’s Ariel on a Disney cruise line.
Unger says it can be a challenge not breaking character working with a cast this hilarious. Actress Caitlin Ary—who plays Melissa McCarthy’s character, Megan—for example, still has comedy fans reeling from her leading role as Nancy in Majestic Repertory Theater’s musical parody of The Craft.
“You’re gonna have so much fun,” Witherspoon assures. “You’re gonna sh*t your pants from laughing.”
Bridesmaids: The Unauthorized Movie Musical Parody Fridays & Saturdays, 9:15 p.m., $47. The Venue at The Orleans, bridesmaidshit.com.
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