After the cancelled production last school year, FHS is finally putting on a musical. This year’s musical is Disney’s “Freaky Friday,” a show about a mother, Katherine, and her teenage daughter, Ellie, who switch bodies for the day. Ellie has to deal with her mother’s job and stressful schedule, and Katherine has to survive high school and teenage hormones. This show is a musical adaptation of the 2003 Disney film. The live production was introduced to the stage in 2016.
The leads of the show, Ellie and Katherine, are played by FHS junior Daphne Emmert and sophomore Miranda Nelson.
“[FHS has] done a lot of shows that are older, like the ‘Wizard of Oz,’” Emmert said. “We’ve done more blockbusters, like ‘High School Musical’, for example. These are really well known stories, whereas ‘Freaky Friday’ is a lesser-known story.”
The audition and casting process started in December of 2024, and rehearsals began for actors in January of this year. Unlike some of the department’s other productions, “Freaky Friday” auditions were open to the entire school, not only to current theater students. The cast is a mix of upperclassmen and younger high school students, some with years of experience in theater and some who have never stepped on stage before.
“Everyone in the cast, from the ensemble to leads, were all amazing singers, and it’s really incredible,” Emmert said. “There are many shows I’ve done where the ensemble kind of falls behind, whereas this one’s like, everyone really knows their stuff, and I’m really proud of it.”
Even though actors are the visible contributors to the show, students of Advanced Stagecraft design and work the shows. The technicians take on roles such as light and costume designing, stage managing and publicity. Technicians play a crucial part in putting together a show because they are in charge of everything behind the scenes. Senior and Stagecraft student of four years, Rose Ginsberg, is the head stage manager for “Freaky Friday.” Ginsberg helped with the casting process and is the main designer for the show, and as such, she works with many actors and technicians.
“If you’re an [assistant stage manager] or costume or scene person, then you really have to work around [the actors], and sort of learn to make sure everyone is comfortable in getting to their cues on time,” Ginsberg said. “And then just, getting used to being in a small space together for a very long time.”
Everyone from the directors and leads to the ensemble and technicians have been putting in months of work to put on the best musical they can. “Freaky Friday” performances are on April 9, 10 and 11, in the Shannon Theater. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will run from seven to nine p.m.
