By Joey Olson
While most people know Freaky Friday from the 2003 comedy film starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, Freaky Friday the musical — written by Bridget Carpenter with music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey — got its start right here in the DC area. It debuted in 2016 at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, before being performed all over the world. The Upper Room Theatre’s production of this hilarious show had standout performances from the two female leads and also from the entire ensemble. Director Rob Tessier has brought together an amazingly talented cast on stage and given them the freedom to shine from the largest to the smallest parts.
Freaky Friday the musical follows the story of an overloaded mother (Katherine) and her teenaged daughter (Ellie), who have lost touch with each other and through a series of songs, creative staging, and help from a magic hourglass, find each other magically switched into each other’s bodies. While trying to figure out what just happened, both characters are bombarded with each other’s lives and must try and fake their way through their jam-packed day so as not to arouse suspicions. While at first both fail hard trying to be the other person and screw up a few things, they slowly try to make up for their mistakes and learn more about their worlds in the process.
To say that the women who played this mother and daughter team have chemistry is an understatement. The show starts with Ellie, played by Katie Tirrell, coming out and giving the audience a rundown of what is to come then immediately breaking into song with “Just One Day,” showing us she has got a voice like no other. Her mother Katherine, played by Laura Mills, joins in the number with perfect harmonies and gives the audience the crux of their relationship right out of the gate. Both actors do an excellent job of storytelling with their respective characters, but the genius of their acting skills does not come out until they switch bodies and become the other person with help from the Magic Hourglass. Instantly the true fun of this show begins when both women sing “I Got This,” sarcastically telling each other how easy the other’s life is and how they can easily fill their shows for the day. Katie Tirrell is a powerhouse and has the audience eating out of her hand with her strong voice and physicality all over the stage. Laura Mills goes from overworked mother to high school rebel without a care flawlessly while still giving the audience song after song with her glowing voice. Her rendition of “After All of This and Everything” was a tearjerker to say the least.
While the mother and daughter go about their day both at school and home planning for a wedding, we are introduced to so many funny female characters it was hard to pick a favorite. Torrey, played by Carolyn Scott, had her own transformation herself through out the show going from Katherine’s righthand Yes Girl to learning to stick up for herself. While she only had a few songs to sing such, she made skillful use of her part and had the audience in stitches. She had great comedic timing with her cast mates and was giving some of the best one-liners, which she executed flawlessly. Back at the school we are introduced to Ellie’s best friends and her class nemesis Savannah, played by Grace Tessier. Grace totally became everybody’s favorite mean girl and made you hate her in less than 20 seconds, a feat that takes true acting chops. The two besties Hannah and Gretchen, played by Mary Ellen Underwood and Avery Heisey respectively, came to life in the song “Oh, Biology,” and it is here where they began to suspect their friend was acting a little different not knowing Ellie’s mom had done her switcheroo into Ellie’s body. Also at the school was gym teacher Ms. Meyers, played by Clare Kolasch. We are introduced to her in the song “Watch Your Back!” in the gym where Katherine is starting to really make a mess of Ellie’s life. Kolasch breathes life into the gym teacher role and has the audience in stiches with her facial expressions and demeanor.
It is not till Act Two where the men of the show get to shine. High school heartthrob and sandwich-obsessed Adam, played by Ashton Schaffer, really gets to show his range in the song “Women and Sandwiches.” He finds Katherine’s son Fletcher, played by Peter Albrigo, at the bus stop trying to run away. His funny yet warm sandwich song convinces the young boy to go home while showing the audience the softer side of the Class Hunk. Albrigo is precious as Fletcher and great throughout the show, although sometimes it was hard to hear him with his puppet voices. Huge highlights of the show were the two small character parts played by Joshua Ewalt. His rendition of Dr. Ehrin in the Guidance Counselor scene and as Officer Kowalski in Act Two was a masterclass in character acting.
The cast all worked very well together and especially in the amazing dance group numbers choreographed by Marianna Constable. Her phoneography was a highlight with all the cast having assorted-color smartphones in their hands while dancing. It was beautiful. The sets, designed by Morgan Gallagher, were simple yet effective, with help from projections by Michael Albrigo. Kudos to Music Director Chris Zavadowski and the amazing musicians playing in the show. It was the most perfect balance between voices and instruments I have heard in community theater in a great while.
The show ends with the mother and daughter trying to switch back bodies before Katherine’s wedding starts. Will Ellie have to marry her stepdad? Will Katherine have to go back to school Monday and face high school all over again? Without spoiling the end, all that can be said is that this is a Disney show, and happiness is bound to happen. Do not miss this wonderful show for all ages as it is only running for one week.
Running Time: Two hours and 20 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
Freaky Friday plays through July 21, 2024, presented by Upper Room Theatre performing at All Saints Performing Arts Center, 9310 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA. Purchase tickets ($16, youth 17 and under; $24, adults; $80, VIP) online.
Freaky Friday
Book by Bridget Carpenter
Music by Tom Kitt
Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Based on the novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers and the Disney films.
