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
- Book
- Bridget Carpenter
- Music
- Tom Kitt
- Lyrics
- Brian Yorkey
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- "Freaky Friday" by Mary Rodgers
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2016
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Suburbs of Chicago, one freaky Friday in April
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Late Teen, Adult, Child, Mature Adult Characters
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
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
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Prologue - Ellie, Katherine
- Just One Day - Ellie, Katherine, Company
- The Hourglass - Ellie, Katherine
- I Got This - Ellie, Katherine, Students, Teachers
- What You Got - Katherine, Torrey, Danielle, Louis
- Oh, Biology - Ellie, Adam, Students
- Vows - Mike
- Busted - Ellie, Katherine Parents, Students
- Somebody Has Got to Take the Blame - Katherine, Ellie, Dr. Ehrin, Señor O’Brien, Mrs. Luckenbill
- Watch Your Back - Ms. Meyers, Ellie, Students
- Parents Lie - Katherine
- Just One Day (Reprise) - Company
ACT TWO
- Not Myself Today - Katherine, Ellie, Torrey, Company
- Women and Sandwiches - Adam and Fletcher
- Bring My Baby (Brother) Home - Katherine, Ellie, Mike, Officers
- Go - Adam, Company
- After All of This and Everything - Katherine
- No More Fear - Ellie
- The Other Hourglass - Ellie, Katherine
- Today and Ev’ry Day - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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