By Ben Brockbank
Freaky Friday, performed by American Fork Community Theater at the lovely Valentine Theater in American Fork, Utah, is a wonderful performance with incredible talent, heart-warming moments and important lessons wrapped up in a family-friendly comedy. Based on the book by Bridget Carpenter and the Disney film, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Freaky Friday introduces the impossible story that a mother and daughter, who both think the other is entirely unreasonable, to switch places. As you can imagine, this brings hilarity, confusion, and new perspectives to both characters.
With wonderful staging and dancing creates a show in Freaky Friday with deep and realistic characters, twists and turns and great messages, there’s something for everyone with this production. The ensemble is wonderful at playing a variety of roles: high school students, caterers, and wedding guests with great vocals and dancing. The ensemble give their characters personality and individuality, you are watching characters with background and in depths. The numbers “Oh Biology” and “Watch Your Back” are two of many numbers where the ensemble shines through. Their energy and talent adds so much to the show.
Mother Katherine Blake (Ann Fritz) and daughter Ellie Blake (Susannah Castleton) work very well together. Their transition with switching souls is seamless and they perform both roles effectively, down to using each other’s mannerisms. Their singing and acting is incredible and they really made me feel their struggles, questions, hopes, and understanding for one other. Christopher D’argy as Katherine’s fiance gives a commanding performance with phenomenal singing, showing his character’s gentle demeanor with heartfelt and realistic acting. His performance during “Vows” shows the depth of his talent and character. Ellie’s boyfriend Adam (Bryan Orr) interacts with a variety of characters and situations and he gives emotion and depth to each one. Ellie’s little brother Fletcher Blake (Theodore Barret) is wonderful, so funny but showing complexity when he’s hurt and trying to figure things out. The family and love interests interlay well as the characters work through their different struggles and dynamics. Officer Sitz (Taylor Goodrich) and Officer Kowalski (Julianne Davis) steal the song and scene of “Bring My Baby (Brother) Home” with their contagious energy, humor, vocals, and choreography.
Director Bridgette Stowell, Producer Derrick Cain, Dance Captain Daniel Manivanh, Choreographer DaMelly Alderete, Lighting/Sounds/Tech Luke Orton, Costumer Elizabeth Woolsey, and Set Designer/Builder Curt Stowell bring the show to life. The various costumes show real life situations with high school, teenage games and the wedding. The sets add to the realism of the show while not distracting from the performances. The choreography shows the versatility of the cast as they perform a wide variety of numbers, ranging from simple to complex.
American Fork Community Theater’s Freaky Friday The Musical at the Valentine Theater in American Fork, Utah is a show you do not want to miss. The messages, dynamics, laughs, and tears gave me so many great things to be thankful for and think about.
American Fork Community Theater presents Freaky Friday The Musical , book by Bridget Carpenter with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey.
Valentine Theater, 839 E. 9th N. American Fork, UT 84003
March 5-14, 2020 7:30 PM, all days excluding Sunday
Tickets: $5-10
American Fork Community Theater Facebook Page
Valentine Theater Facebook Page
Freaky Friday Facebook Event
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