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Synopsis
4 a.m. Friends
Marlene Dietrich is quoted as saying, “It’s the friends you can call at 4 a.m. that matter.” We all have those friends: the ones who understand you when you think no one will, who gently break your heart about love because you know they speak truth, the ones who pick leopard bras when all you want is a pink bow, who surprise you with an alligator in a garden to propel you forward, who might talk you into a misdemeanor or two when necessary. Becca, Tammy, and Kim are those kinds of 4 a.m. Friends with humor and heart the ties that bind. A myriad of iconic moments, people, and fashion from the 1970s to present day propel these friends through six short plays as they fight, argue, support, and love through some of life’s most challenging hurdles, growing from their teens to their sixties. You know, just like you might do with your 4 a.m. Friends.
Marlene Dietrich is quoted as saying, “It’s the friends you can call at 4 a.m. that matter.” We all have those friends: the ones who understand you when you think no one will, who gently break your heart about love because you know they speak truth, the ones who pick leopard bras when all you want is a pink bow, who surprise you with an alligator in a garden to propel you forward, who might talk you into a misdemeanor or two when necessary. Becca, Tammy, and Kim are those kinds of 4 a.m. Friends with humor and heart the ties that bind. A myriad of iconic moments, people, and fashion from the 1970s to present day propel these friends through six short plays as they fight, argue, support, and love through some of life’s most challenging hurdles, growing from their teens to their sixties. You know, just like you might do with your 4 a.m. Friends.
Words of Praise
4 a.m. Friends
“Through laughter and tears, companionship and strife, these friends navigate life. 4 a.m. Friends is a poignant portrait of resilience, friendship, and the enduring bonds that stand the test of time, and Donaghy creates three characters that I want to call at 4am or any time.”
Catherine M. O’Neill, Playwright, Theatre Maker
“Filled with genuine warmth and humor, Donaghy’s look at female friendships - told over six decades - reminds us that there is no greater power on earth than the love of a family we find and choose for ourselves.”
Ellen O’Brien, Playwright, Journalist
“4 a.m. Friends hits the sweet spot of today’s ticket-buying audience! A delightful, poignant, laugh-out-loud funny play. Bring tissues!”
Michele Clarke, Co-founder Playwrights ETC, co-founder Playwrights at " Road, past trustee Cape Cod Theatre Company
"The differentiation between the three was really well developed, but not without seeing the enduring ties that bonded them in a kindred way. The ending was such a nice surprise...it really hit hard. With this being a small sized cast, the fun of traveling through the decades, and the story of bonding - this could easily be a hit on any level."
Michael Weems, Artistic Director, Cone Man Running Productions, Playwright, Educator. Houston, TX
4 a.m. Friends can be personalized to production location. From the Omaha-personalized 4 a.m. Friends:
"4 a.m. Friends, by Charlene Donaghy, is a beautiful depiction of "The Good Life." Omaha audiences will smile at the familiar schools, shops, and streets which root this story deeply into Nebraskan soil. But it branches far beyond its Heartland setting because, at its center, are three completely unique and captivatingly universal women. I laughed and cried as they tripped through life in my hometown. They were raw and honest and perfect examples of how powerful and transformative true friendship can be. Simply put, this play and these women are magic."
Tacheny Perry, Writer, Managing Editor The Good Life Review Omaha, NE
“Through laughter and tears, companionship and strife, these friends navigate life. 4 a.m. Friends is a poignant portrait of resilience, friendship, and the enduring bonds that stand the test of time, and Donaghy creates three characters that I want to call at 4am or any time.”
Catherine M. O’Neill, Playwright, Theatre Maker
“Filled with genuine warmth and humor, Donaghy’s look at female friendships - told over six decades - reminds us that there is no greater power on earth than the love of a family we find and choose for ourselves.”
Ellen O’Brien, Playwright, Journalist
“4 a.m. Friends hits the sweet spot of today’s ticket-buying audience! A delightful, poignant, laugh-out-loud funny play. Bring tissues!”
Michele Clarke, Co-founder Playwrights ETC, co-founder Playwrights at " Road, past trustee Cape Cod Theatre Company
"The differentiation between the three was really well developed, but not without seeing the enduring ties that bonded them in a kindred way. The ending was such a nice surprise...it really hit hard. With this being a small sized cast, the fun of traveling through the decades, and the story of bonding - this could easily be a hit on any level."
Michael Weems, Artistic Director, Cone Man Running Productions, Playwright, Educator. Houston, TX
4 a.m. Friends can be personalized to production location. From the Omaha-personalized 4 a.m. Friends:
"4 a.m. Friends, by Charlene Donaghy, is a beautiful depiction of "The Good Life." Omaha audiences will smile at the familiar schools, shops, and streets which root this story deeply into Nebraskan soil. But it branches far beyond its Heartland setting because, at its center, are three completely unique and captivatingly universal women. I laughed and cried as they tripped through life in my hometown. They were raw and honest and perfect examples of how powerful and transformative true friendship can be. Simply put, this play and these women are magic."
Tacheny Perry, Writer, Managing Editor The Good Life Review Omaha, NE
Productions & Readings
Upcoming Rolling World Premiere Productions:
Brownville Village Theatre-2025, Brownville, NE
Confidence Theatrics-2026, Washington, DC
Rolling World Premiere First Production-2025: Cone Man Running Productions. Houston, TX.
Debra Schultz, Director. Starring: Mary Mink as Becca, Angela Aguirre as Kim, Debra Schultz as Tammy
Workshop Production-2025: Goshen Players, Goshen, CT.
Sharon W. Houk, Director. Starring: Martha Irving as Becca, Lauren Jacob as Kim, Lyn Nagel as Tammy
Workshop Production-2025: UNO Theatre, New Ways, New Works. Omaha, NE
Alice Baker, Director. Starring: Emile Rothanzl, Katelyn O'Neill as Becca; Erin Weidenhamer, Kenya Leon as Kim; E. Dona-Muniz, Lily Pope as Tammy
Staged Reading-2025: Gracewell Productions, Waterbury, CT.
Sharon W. Houk, Director. Starring: Christine Mitchell-Robinson as Becca, Lauren Jacob as Kim, Lyn Nagel as Tammy
Staged Reading-2025: Shelterbelt Theatre, Omaha, NE.
Scott Glasser, Director. Starring: Delaney Jackson as Becca, Lena Cigleris as Kim, Rachel Curtiss as Tammy, Christine Burright as Christine
Staged Reading-2024: Truro Playwright Collective, Truro, MA.
Starring: Jen Cabral as Becca, Darlene Van Alstyne as Kim, Braunwyn Jacket as Tammy
Brownville Village Theatre-2025, Brownville, NE
Confidence Theatrics-2026, Washington, DC
Rolling World Premiere First Production-2025: Cone Man Running Productions. Houston, TX.
Debra Schultz, Director. Starring: Mary Mink as Becca, Angela Aguirre as Kim, Debra Schultz as Tammy
Workshop Production-2025: Goshen Players, Goshen, CT.
Sharon W. Houk, Director. Starring: Martha Irving as Becca, Lauren Jacob as Kim, Lyn Nagel as Tammy
Workshop Production-2025: UNO Theatre, New Ways, New Works. Omaha, NE
Alice Baker, Director. Starring: Emile Rothanzl, Katelyn O'Neill as Becca; Erin Weidenhamer, Kenya Leon as Kim; E. Dona-Muniz, Lily Pope as Tammy
Staged Reading-2025: Gracewell Productions, Waterbury, CT.
Sharon W. Houk, Director. Starring: Christine Mitchell-Robinson as Becca, Lauren Jacob as Kim, Lyn Nagel as Tammy
Staged Reading-2025: Shelterbelt Theatre, Omaha, NE.
Scott Glasser, Director. Starring: Delaney Jackson as Becca, Lena Cigleris as Kim, Rachel Curtiss as Tammy, Christine Burright as Christine
Staged Reading-2024: Truro Playwright Collective, Truro, MA.
Starring: Jen Cabral as Becca, Darlene Van Alstyne as Kim, Braunwyn Jacket as Tammy
