Overview
Synopsis
An adaptation of the classic novel and beloved films, Freaky Friday follows teenager Ellie Blake and her mother, Katherine, on the weirdest, strangest, craziest, freakiest day of their whole lives. Try as they might, Katherine and Ellie just can’t seem to understand each other: Ellie wants her mom to stop trying to change her, while Katherine wants her daughter to be the best version of herself that she can be. On a fateful Friday, the day before Katherine’s wedding, something magical occurs when mother and daughter swap bodies. Now, both will have to一literally一spend a day walking in each other’s shoes, learning about each other and the struggles each goes through and forging a new mother-daughter relationship in this hilarious, energetic, and moving musical comedy.
Show Information
Context
Freaky Friday is a musical adaptation of Mary Rodgers’ 1972 children’s novel and Disney’s subsequent 1976 and 2003 film adaptations. The show was developed by Disney Theatrical Productions. Bridget Carpenter adapted the book from the novel and films, and Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt collaborated to create the music and lyrics.
Freaky Friday premiered at the Signature Theatre in Arlington Virginia on October 4, 2016. The production was directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Tony
to read the context for Freaky Friday and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
The whole story takes place over the course of one strange, mysterious, magical, freaky Friday in April. Teenager Ellie Blake and her mom, Katherine, just can’t seem to understand each other. Katherine wants her daughter to be the best version of herself, and Ellie wants her mother to see and respect her for who she is. It’s the day before Katherine’s wedding and tensions in the house are boiling dangerously high (“Prologue”).
When Ellie goes downstairs for breakfast, the
to read the plot for Freaky Friday and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
Showing 8 of 26 characters
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Freaky Friday.
Showing 8 of 85 portrayals
Want to be featured on this page? Update your credits.
Songs
Showing 8 of 20 songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
The Burden of Expectations
At the heart of the musical is the suffocating weight of what Katherine and Ellie expect from one another. Katherine views Ellie’s messiness and academic struggles as a lack of discipline, while Ellie views her mother’s organized, high-achieving life as a cold rejection of her true self. The musical highlights that these expectations are often projections of their own insecurities—Katherine fears her life is out of control after her husband's death,
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Freaky Friday and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Key Terms
An adaptation is a reworking of a story from one medium or cultural context into another, such as turning a novel into a play or updating a classic play’s setting. Adaptations often reinterpret themes, characters, and style for new audiences. They can range from faithful recreations to bold reimaginings.
A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.
An “I Want Song” is a number, usually placed early in a musical, where a main character expresses their deepest desire or ambition. This song sets the character’s journey in motion and gives the audience a clear emotional stake in the story. It has become one of the most recognizable and enduring conventions of musical theatre structure.
