Review

News: Theatrical’s production of Disney Freaky Friday

Published on August 1, 2022
By thetheatre.au

Chapel Off Chapel

Theatrical has announced the Victorian premiere of Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, including the 2003 film starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis.

The Chapel Off Chapel production features music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composers of If/THEN and Next to Normal. Freaky Friday is a modern spin on the ‘70s novel, where a mother and daughter swap bodies and experience each other’s lives firsthand, for a day.

Freaky Friday The Musical performances

Wednesday 7 September, 7:30pm (preview)
Thursday 8 September, 7.30pm (opening night)
Friday 9 September, 7.30pm
Saturday 10 September, 1.30pm (matinee)
Saturday 10 September, 7.30pm
Sunday 11 September, 5pm (early evening)
Wednesday 14 September, 7.30pm
Thursday 15 September, 7.30pm
Friday 16 September, 7.30pm
Saturday 17 September, 1.30pm (matinee)
Saturday 17 September, 7.30pm
Sunday 18 September 1.30pm (matinee)

Director Bronte Regos Thiele is staging the production in the present day, splitting the stage between an ordered household, a homely suburban Chicago and the chaos of adolescent relationships at school.

“We explore the microcosm of high school and the social dynamics that go with it, such as friendships, enemies, and crushes. For me, the true heart of the story is in mum and daughter learning to open up to each other, and develop an understanding for the other’s perspective that is often rare for a teen and her mother,” says Bronte.

Freaky Friday is a raucously fun comedy about swapping lives, but also deftly explores themes of loss, grief and family dynamics, with the death of the father explored through the split perspective of the lead characters Ellie and Katherine.

Lyla Digrazia (19) who plays the daughter Ellie, says the musical presents touching and poignant themes of connection across generations.

“How my character interacts with her mother, and then of course actually becomes the mother for a moment, has given me a lot to consider about how two people may be expected to process grief. There are really different expectations for different generations. They both lost the same person, but the expression is so different for each,” says Lyla.

“Freaky Friday lets us think about that, and build empathy.”

With choreography by accomplished Broadway dancer and choreographer Bridie Clark (Jazz on the Westside, Colors of Columbia), Theatrical’s Freaky Friday will delight Melbourne audiences with some TikTok-inspired dance numbers, colourful sets and costumes, catchy tunes and an energetic cast of some of Melbourne’s best-emerging performers.|

Theatrical is a not-for-profit and registered charity from executive producer Andrew Gyopar (If/THEN, Little Women), an independent musical theatre company with a mission to provide opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups who might not otherwise have access to participate in musical theatre.