By Jerry Crouch
Freaky Friday is a Disney-style musical that opened last weekend at Village Square Theatre about a controlling mother and a rebellious teenage daughter who magically trade places for a single day. It is about how a magical hourglass that, when pulled wide open, creates a dazzling couple of hours in the actors' lives on stage, and at Sunday’s matinee, the audience was transported on a magical, musical trip complete with fabulous leading performances, a trove of talented teens, a beautiful, evolving stage set, energetic choreography, and a lively orchestra. The lesson learned from the production is that if we stopped to see the world through each other’s eyes we would discover true understanding within our modern, frantically busy families.
That ever-changing quest first appeared in Mary Rodgers’ 1972 book Freaky Friday and in the subsequent four film adaptations, and is now captured again as this spunky musical from Disney Theatrical Productions, aiming its target in laser focus on the teen market.
Served at a bright, spunky pace by director Robert Harrelson, Freaky Friday has a relentless pop score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal) and by book writer Bridget Carpenter.
Thanks to Harrelson and his capable stage designers, husband and wife team Raymond and Jacqueline Elling, scenes switch briskly between the household’s kitchen, a wedding reception prep area, outdoor locations, as well as various high school locales, and are ably aided by beautiful projections against the back scrim. The Ellings do double duty by also playing roles on stage throughout the show with Raymond playing the mom's intended beloved delivering a solid vocal solo in Act Two.
As the personality-switching mom, Katherine and her spunky daughter Ellie, local theatre veterans, Leighton Creed Mount and Eliza England, definitely have the vocal goods to deliver with multiple heartfelt duets and solos. Mount, in particular, is a theatrical force to be reckoned with in scene after scene poignantly conveying the mother's love and concerned commitment.
But the uber talented teens owned this Sunday matinee! Village Square Theatre veteran youths – Cash Conroy, Jack Carlton, and Mackenzie Bruder shone brightly as true professionals as boyfriend Adam, little brother Fletcher, and resident mean girl Savannah. For added coolness, boyfriend Conroy slickly and confidently rides the stage on a blinking hoverboard in a piece of choreography like a young matinee idol.
What fun it was to see Village Square Theatre adult veterans steal their well-deserved moments in the supporting roles spotlight – Kristin Ferrante, Carissa Ferro, Tammy Smith, Amanda Scott, Kory Taylor, Robin Saviola, Teresa McWilliams, and John Fetner! In particular, Smith, Ferrante and Ferro made each of their moments count in roles as Grandma Helene, Torrey, and Ms. Meyers.
No community theatre musical can succeed without its orchestra, choreographer, and backstage crew, so I also salute Music Director, John Norris, and his musicians; Choreographer, Krista Haidle, and her dance captains; and Stage Manager, Lindsay Brown, and her crew.
Village Square Theatre is located at 105 Caughman Road, Lexington, 29072 (803) 359-1436 — click here for reservations.
Remaining Village Square Theatre Performances
Friday, September 19 @ 7:30 PM (Cast Freaky)
Saturday, September 20 @ 7:30 PM (Cast Friday)
Sunday, September 21 @ 3:00 PM (Cast Freaky)
Friday, September 26 @ 7:30 PM (Cast Friday)
Saturday, September 27 @ 7:30 PM (Cast Freaky)
Sunday, September 28 @ 3:00 PM (Cast Friday)
Jerry Crouch is celebrating his onstage and directorial credits for 107 productions in Columbia, Atlanta, and Asheville over the last half century.