Friend Wanted: The Story Behind Fringe’s “BFF-less”

What happens when finding a best friend feels harder than finding true love? That’s the hilarious and heartfelt premise of BFF-less, the new play from Vancouver’s Roomie Productions debuting at this year’s Fringe Festival. Written by Ben Brown and brought to life by producers and actors Samantha Kerr, Hikari Teresawa, and Emma Soothill, the show follows one woman’s unorthodox Craigslist search for a ride-or-die. Ahead of opening night, we caught up with the team to talk inspiration, the awkward art of making friends as adults, and why female friendship deserves the spotlight. —Vita Daily

If you had to post your own “Best Friend Wanted” Craigslist ad, what would it say—and what would be the dealbreakers?

Samantha: Looking for someone who is equally as bad at texting as I am! Preferably someone who isn’t allergic to cats.

Hikari: Looking for someone who can take jokes and likes making jokes. I talk so sarcastically and sometimes some people don’t get that I’m just being silly and joking!

Emma: Must like sushi! Just about every close friendship I’ve formed in my adult life has been strengthened by hours long chats in a hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant.

Vancouver has a reputation for being a tough city to make friends in—did that reality shape the story behind BFF-less?

Ben: I’m interested if Vancouverites will relate to the story, as it is a story of loneliness and a desperate plea for connection. Loneliness seems to be prevalent in this city. However, I’m not sure how I feel about Vancouver’s “anti-social reputation”. I have a hard time making friends here. But I think maybe I’d have a hard time anywhere. Making friends is hard!

What was the funniest or weirdest moment that’s happened in rehearsals so far?

Samantha: Kosta is always cracking me up with his choices! His character has some hilarious lines that get me every time.

Hikari: The scene where Sam’s character tells her deepest darkest secret is hilarious and it’s so hard not to break and laugh. There’s been so many moments where I just couldn’t help laughing because it’s just too funny.

Emma: Seconding Hikari here, there’s a few one-liners that have made me break every single rehearsal…I promise I’ll be keeping a straight-face by opening!

Which is harder: making a new BFF in Vancouver or surviving a Vancouver rental search?

Samantha: This is a tough question. I am currently failing at the rental search because I’m living with my parents in the suburbs, but finding a new BFF is a real challenge!

Hikari: Both pretty bad, but I would say rental search.

Ben: Vancouver is the best!

Emma: Making a BFF! You can (hopefully) settle on a mediocre apartment, but you can’t really half-ass making a BFF.

BFF-less is all about testing the limits of friendship—what’s the wildest “test” you’d sneak into Sadie’s challenge?

Ben: Sadie creates a few scenarios for her potential best friends to see how they respond under pressure. She wants a best friend who can be there for her, no matter what. I won’t give anything away, but the stakes are quite high!

If BFF-less had a theme song, what would it be—and why is it probably a Spice Girls anthem?

Ben: One by Harry Nilsson. 

Emma: For the vibes, 100% Spice Girls or ABBA. But my personal theme song for the show is a Maggie Rogers song, “I’ve Got a Friend”. An ode to female friendship and all the magical ways we fall in love with our friends.

What’s been the biggest challenge of bringing this play to life for the Fringe Festival stage?

Emma: We only found out we got into the Vancouver Fringe in late May, after making it off of the waitlist. It was a mad dash to get together the amazing team we now have on board in such a short amount of time. But it also showed me how enthusiastic our community is to show up and help out!!

Samantha: I second what Emma said! We got so lucky with how everything fell into place, but it was a real challenge to come up with a rehearsal schedule that worked for everyone on the team after finding out so late that we got in!

Last year Roomie Productions staged Bitches with Baggage—how does BFF-less build on or differ from that experience?

Hikari: It is more grounded and less of a “dreamscape/surreal” play than Bitches with Baggage. So the rehearsal process feels like it’s moving faster and just going with our gut instincts. And BFF-less probably is more relatable to a wider range of people compared to Bitches with Baggage, which was more based on experience of actors.

Samantha: The rehearsal process has been very different for BFF-less compared to Bitches with Baggage! Hikari and I were both the only writers and actors for Bitches with Baggage, and the script included lots of abstract moments that we had to develop in the rehearsal process. BFF-less is more dialogue-driven, which makes the rehearsal process a lot more fast-paced. Very similar themes, though! Both female-driven stories about women feeling like they’re not enough and seeking validation and connection.

If you could cast any celebrity to respond to Sadie’s Craigslist ad, who would make the best (or worst) BFF candidate?

Ben: I imagine Sadie has daydreamed about becoming best friends with Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. I should see if Lauren Graham is available for a potential sequel. As for the worst candidate… Sadie is pretty desperate… I’ll say Pedro Pascal, since he’s probably already booked and busy. 

Ultimately, what do you hope audiences walk away with—other than maybe the urge to text their best friend right after the curtain call?

Ben: If you have a best friend: You should definitely text them. If you’re BFF-less: You’re not alone. There’s nothing wrong with you… Making friends is just really hard!