When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again before mom’s big wedding. Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a hilarious, contemporary update on an American classic in which a mother and daughter really see what it is to be a family and experience each other’s lives first-hand, if only for a day.


“Delightfully spunky” with “timeless appeal” (Variety), Freaky Friday features a new book by Bridget Carpenter (Parenthood) and an original pop/rock score by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winners Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal). This dynamic story puts a fresh new spin on a “polished, peppy, modern fairy tale” (The Washington Post).

 

Age Recommended: Most enjoyed by children 8 and up.

 

Language:

  • Ellie uses aggressive language towards her family members (“Shut it!,” ”You stink, Fletcher,” “I hate you,” “Stupid!”).

  • An insinuation to a curse word is made by Ellie in Katherine’s body, but no curse words are used (“Will hunt for the glass and save my…butt.”)

  • The phrase, “Oh my gosh,” is used.

 

Themes and Situations:

  • Family conflict and difficulty adjusting to a step-parent

  • There are mentions of Ellie’s father’s death throughout (the show happens years after death has occurred).

  • Financial challenges are suggested

  • There is intense bullying by Savannah, including calling Ellie a “loser,” smacking books out of Ellie’s hand, and elbowing Ellie in the stomach.

  • There is a discussion of growing up and the development of hormones.

  • Cigarettes and piercings are displayed in a negative light.

  • There is a song entitled, “Parents Lie,” revealing common things parents misconceive to their younger children.

  • A lack of body confidence is represented, but themes of loving your body are presented as a response to this.

 

Potential Scary Moments:

  • Strobes and other lighting effects will be used to represent magic throughout the show.

  • A magical hourglass is what causes Ellie and Katherine to swap bodies.

  • There is potential for loud noises from screaming and props breaking.

  • Savannah gets mildly violent when elbowing Ellie in the stomach, knocking items out of her hand, etc.

  • A child goes missing. This conflict is resolved quickly and he is reunited with his family.

 

Other Cautions/Advisories:

  • There are public displays of affection through kissing and hugging between love interests.

  • During a magic trick, Fletcher pulls a scarf from his mouth, and he mocks “choking” during this trick.

  • Being locked in a psych ward and medicated is mentioned after Ellie and Katherine “switch bodies.”

  • Sarcastic remarks are made by Torrey regarding killing a child if they were to ever run away.

  • A misunderstanding causes an insinuation that the physical harm of Katherine’s son has occurred.