'Friends' star to appear in East County

First things first: Maggie Wheeler, aka Janice from the TV show “Friends,” doesn’t really sound like that.

“There was a little girl in England who was just crestfallen that that wasn’t my natural voice,” Wheeler says from her home in Los Angeles. “She was so disappointed.”

However, although most associate the actress with that voice, Wheeler’s résumé features much more than the beloved sitcom TV character. Her career began in voice acting and later broke into traditional acting. In addition to her recurring role on “Friends,” Wheeler has appeared on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Seinfeld,” “The X-Files,” “Will & Grace” and more.

She met East County resident Maureen Flaherty while the two both were working on “The Parent Trap.” The two became friends, and after learning of Rachael Jaworski’s condition, Flaherty asked Wheeler if she would be willing to help.

“She (Maureen) reached out to me and asked if I could come for this evening to help the Jaworskis,” Wheeler said. “I told her, ‘Without a doubt.’ This is such a worthy cause.”

In addition to her acting career, Wheeler also is an accomplished singer and choir director. Before her acting career, Wheeler helped form an a capella group in New York City called Sons & Daughters. Currently, she directs the Golden Bridge Community Choir in L.A.

For her East County appearance, Wheeler will lead a singing performance as well as host a question-and-answer session.

“Hopefully, I can get the whole community singing together,” Wheeler says. “I’m honored to be able to come to the community and try to bring people together to help this family.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, and people will be able to ask me those burning questions,” she says.

A Conversation with a ‘Friend’
WHEN: 7 p.m., Aug. 28
WHERE: Braden River High School, 6545 State Road 70 E.
TICKETS: $10 general admission; $15 admission and autographed headshot; $60 VIP pass (admission, headshot, CD and meet-and-greet session following the show)
INFORMATION: Tickets are available at Little Bookworms, 8111 Lakewood Main Street, Suite 103. 907-3802.