Lakeland Theatre Presents FREAKY FRIDAY

Lakeland's 2018-19 season concludes with the first locally produced production of the musical version of Mary Rodgers' classic Young Adult novel Freaky Friday. Freaky Friday, which opens on February 1, 2019 and runs for three weeks at Lakeland Community College's Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, is directed by Martin Friedman and under the Musical Direction of Matthew Dolan.

Both Dolan and Friedman were named by the Cleveland Critics' Awards for their contributions to outstanding local productions in 2018.

Freaky Friday, was written by Mary Rodgers, composer Richard Rodgers' daughter, in 1972 and it has been successfully adapted for the screen twice (1976 and 2003) over the years. This particular production was put together, with the late Mary Rodgers full support, by music and lyricists Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey and with a book written by Bridget Carpenter. Both Kitt and Yorkey won a Pulitzer Prize, as well as a Tony Award, for Next to Normal. Writer Bridget Carpenter was the lead writer for television's Friday Night Lights and Parenthood and has written several plays that have been produced in New York City.

The Freaky Friday musical was developed by Disney Theatrical Productions from the book and Disney films for theatres to license. The musical debuted at the Signature Theatre in Virginia on October 4, 2016 and went on to productions in La Jolla, California, the Cleveland Playhouse, and The Alley Theatre in Houston.

Endowed with a wonderful score by Tom Kitt, lyrics by Brian Yorkey and a book by Bridget Carpenter, Freaky Fridayis the story of an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, and they have just one day to put things right again before the mom's wedding. It is the enduring message of empathy that really gives this musical play its universal appeal and really distinguishes it from the two films.

Freaky Friday features Trinidad Snider, whose work in Lakeland's A Little Night Music was cited by the Cleveland Critics' Association as one of the outstanding musical performances of last year. Sets by Aaron Benson (cited for his setting at the Beck Center for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, lights by Marcus Dana, sound by Eric Simna, choreography by Katie Zarecki and costumes by Ohio Shakespeare designer Kelsey Tomlinson complete the design staff.

Call 440-525-7526 for ticket reservations and information about group discounts. For production information please email Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98@gmail.com and you can order tickets on-line at www.lakelandcc.edu/arts.

Freaky Friday: February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16, @ 7:30pm and 3, 10 and 17 @ 2:00 pm