Pivot to Dallas

The one where the Friends musical parody show comes to Dallas

They'll be there for Dallas this time.

Photo courtesy of Friends! The Musical Parody

Could the timing BE any better? On the (chunky platform) heels of the biggest pop culture moment of 2021 — the Friends reunion — comes a musical parody of the beloved '90s sit-com that's stopping in Dallas for the first time this fall.

Friends! The Musical Parody will play at Dallas' Majestic Theatre one night only, September 28, as part of a 52-city tour. Tickets will go on sale June 11 through Ticketmaster.

Friends! The Musical Parody "lovingly lampoons TV’s Friends, celebrating the wacky misadventures of the group of 20-something pals as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan," the creators say, going on to describe a plot ripped from the pilot episode of the series:

It’s a seemingly typical day at New York’s only coffee shop, Central Perk, until an unexpected runaway bride with beautiful hair enters the picture and kicks the whole gang out of second gear. This delightfully naughty confection plucks the best moments from the show’s 10 years and recreates the moments through an uncensored, fast-paced, music-filled romp.

The songs are funny takes on famous lines, sayings, scenes, and storylines involving Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe, and a few extra "friends." They include: "How You Doin'?" (Joey), "We Were On A Break!" (Ross), "Could I BE Anymore...In Love with You" (Chandler), "Will They or Won't They?" (Ross and Rachel), "The Ballad of Fat Monica" (Monica), and "Oh. My. God. It's Janice!" (Janice).

As first reported by TheaterMania, the show will get a limited off-Broadway engagement in New York this summer before a North American tour that starts in Texas. The curtain will rise first in San Antonio, at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, on September 26. Following the September 28 date in Dallas, it shoots up to Oklahoma City, then pivots down to Houston's Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center, October 1-3.

Tickets for the Houston and San Antonio shows are now available.

Created by the clever minds behind The Office! An Unauthorized Musical Parody and Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical, the Friends show first toured in 2019, hitting Austin and San Antonio. This time it'll be there for Dallas, too.

tv theater

Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen