Freaky Friday to Have Its World Premiere in DC this Fall

[disneybroadwayfan22]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/signature-disney-team-up-on-new-musical-version-of-freaky-friday/2016/01/13/bc31e974-b89b-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d_story.html

[steven22]

Looking forward to this! Any guesses on casting? 

[gleek4114]

I know it's a long shot, but I would love Alice Ripley and Jenn Domiano! Ana Gastyer would be great for the mother as well.

[freewilma]

gleek4114 said: "I know it's a long shot, but I would love Alice Ripley and Jenn Domiano! Ana Gastyer would be great for the mother as well.

 

Since they're both cast in American Psycho it unlikely....unless AP tanks VERY quickly.  

 

"

 

[Just_John]

Aaron Tveit would be perfect for the love interest.  Love the idea of Ana as the mom! Michael Rupert would make a great father.   Is the original kid who was in Elf to old to play the younger brother?

[asmith0307]

A few weeks ago, I though of Beth Leavel for the mom.

[SingingChef]

I'm kind of hoping for Sarah Jessica Parker paired with Annaleigh Ashford.

[dramamama611]

Isn't the girl suppose to be in middle school.... even if it's high school.....aren't all these suggestions too old ..including Tveit?

[Broadwaypattifan]

dramamama611 said: "Isn't the girl suppose to be in middle school.... even if it's high school.....aren't all these suggestions too old ..including Tveit?

 

"

The original movie and the book have her as 13 but the Lindsay Lohan version she's in high school 

[Jonwo]

Disney have been developing this for a long time and I think the premise suits a musical very well, I suspect it'll be quite low tech for licensing purposes much like the Newsies set was but given Freaky Friday is a comedy, that'll not be an issue. 

I wonder if it's based on the either the book, the 1976 film, the 2003 film or a original story using all three source materials.

[South Fl Marc]

I buy subscription tickets to Signature and the thought this great company is doing a musical based on another Disney film, makes me disgusted. Hopefully I can exchange the seats for two extra tickets to another show.

[Mr. Nowack]

South Fl Marc said: "I buy subscription tickets to Signature and the thought this great company is doing a musical based on another Disney film, makes me disgusted. Hopefully I can exchange the seats for two extra tickets to another show."

 

What a cheery fellow...

 

I too wonder which aspects of which iterations will be used. I feel like the remake is probably going to be the root.

[neonlightsxo]

Didn't Ana Gasteyer do the workshop? With Molly Ranson?

[IdinaBellFoster]

neonlightsxo said: "Didn't Ana Gasteyer do the workshop? With Molly Ranson?

 

GREAT casting!

 

[KathyNYC2]

dramamama611 said: "Isn't the girl suppose to be in middle school.... even if it's high school.....aren't all these suggestions too old ..including Tveit?

 

"

I'm with you. It's my personal pet peeve. If she is supposed to be in high school or younger, no one older than early 20's at the absolutely high end...I'd prefer even younger.

[NewsiesForever]

The article mentions that after this out of town the rights will be sold to MTI and there is no mention of a Broadway run. Is that normal? Does Disney not intend for this show to go to Broadway?

[Mr. Nowack]

I believe that was the original trajectory for NEWSIES, although popular demand (?) led to the Broadway transfer. It's also how HUNCHBACK was done although some argue it was intended for Broadway and that was an excuse when reception was poor. But it was always meant to go straight to licensing over Broadway I think.

 

I think it's hard to say anyone is "great casting" until we have any idea what kindof material this will be. Will it be more subdued like the book and earlier movie, or a little bit more like the remake, will there be a rock element or what.

[neonlightsxo]

Given that the writing team is Kitt & Yorkey, I think we can guess it's the latter, Mr. Nowack.

[dramamama611]

This could be a great show for non broadway productions.

 

 

[darquegk]

It's based on a film but also based on a novel by theatre writer Mary Rodgers.

[freewilma]

I think it's terrific that Signature is producing a musical that will reach out to (much needed) younger audiences.  In the DC area, most of the "family" shows have been done by Arena stage or by national tours.  I hope that Signature keeps their $25 student tickets for this production and makes it truly affordable for kids to attend.  

[Cupid Boy2]

FREAKY FRIDAY will be receiving another regional production next spring at Cleveland Playhouse, which confirms the MTI trajectory as opposed to being Broadway bound. Have any other regional productions been announced? 

http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/2016/freaky-friday

 

[bk]

Um, y'all know this has already BEEN musicalized once before, right?  Y'all know that, right?  Mary Rodgers wrote the book and music and the lyrics with John Forester.  It has some wonderful songs, especially At the Same Time which is on one of the Unsung Musicals albums.  Y'all know what those are, right?

[Mr. Nowack]

bk said: "Um, y'all know this has already BEEN musicalized once before, right?  Y'all know that, right?  Mary Rodgers wrote the book and music and the lyrics with John Forester.  It has some wonderful songs, especially At the Same Time which is on one of the Unsung Musicals albums.  Y'all know what those are, right?"

 

I was actually totally unaware of the previous musicalization. I need to hear that score.

[somethingwicked]

Cupid Boy2, the Cleveland Playhouse production will also be directed by Christopher Ashley, which leads me to believe it will be the same production that will play Signature in DC.

Ana Gasteyer has played the mother in all the workshops, as far as I know, but she recently got a TV series that will make her unavailable to participate in the full production.