"Freaky Friday flips the script

   Published Nov. 26, 2024

Will Dorr

Reporter

The Theatre department of David Douglas staged the musical “Freaky Friday,” a fantastical retelling of a story of family, individuality, and connection, in the PAC from Nov. 15-24.

The story follows the life of Ellie Blake, a teenager, and her overbearing mother, Katherine. Through an accidental acquisition of a magical hourglass, the two switch personalities & bodies, causing them to live life as each other and experience the world through each others’s eyes. With the aid of little brother Fletcher, schoolboy Adam, and Katherine’s parents, Ellie and Katherine go on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. 

` A performance like this is only possible with a star-studded cast, and David Douglas delivered. The cast included Dottie Hayden as Ellie Blake, with Josephine Pair playing one show as the understudy; Bella Pahomsky as Katherine Blake, with Bailey Deale acting as an understudy; Maddie Munoz as Fletcher Blake; and Noah Morales as a convincingly young Adam. 

The musical featured many captivating ensemble songs, with tight choreography and impressive singing from the cast. With 22 total scenes, the musical was fast paced and visually exciting, with ingenious, speedy set changes.

Work on the set design was accomplished with the efforts of the Stagecraft crew and the “techies.” “We had really elaborate props,” said assistant stage manager (stage left) senior Kaye Gordham. “We spent weeks making shish kabob trays. It went really well. We had a lot of noobies this year, but they caught on really quickly and picked up good habits.”

The production was also supported by orchestra director Jennifer Brooks,  technical director Chanell Magee, vocal director Rebecca Chelson, choreographer Lane Hunter, costume designer Neil Koch, and box office coordinator Rosanne Johnson.

On opening night, a mac and cheese microwave mishap and a cloud of smoke caused the fire alarm to go off during intermission. The ending of the play was delayed about a half hour as the fire department gave the okay and the crowd shivered outside. “I’ve been doing this a long time,” said director and producer Michael Givler to the crowd as they settled back into their seats, “and this has never happened before.” After another brief delay as the cast and crew regrouped, the musical continued without a hitch.

“I love this show because its main subject is families, which are so often overlooked in our pop culture,”  said Givler. “To walk in someone else’s shoes is an adage we’ve all heard, yet it’s still powerful.”