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Fairfield Area Community Theatre (FACT) will present “Freaky Friday, A New Musical” Thursday through Sunday, June 12-15 at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. Show times are 7:30 p.m. the first three days, and then 3 p.m. on Sunday.

A family-friendly show based on the 1972 Mary Rodgers novel and the hit Disney films, Freaky Friday is the comedic tale of a mother and daughter who magically swap bodies—and must figure out how to switch them back. In this modern update, the stakes are higher than ever.

Teenage Ellie, now stuck in her mother’s body, is forced to perform a stressful balancing act as Katherine—who is not only on the brink of getting remarried but is catering her own wedding as a possible cover story for a high-profile magazine. Meanwhile Katherine, as Ellie, must navigate the social and academic landmines of a day in high school, coming face to face with the awkward nuances of a budding teen romance—on top of terrible grades.

With a book by Bridget Carpenter and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composers of Next to Normal and If/Then, Freaky Friday’s catchy, contemporary music and revitalized script make it a heartfelt but hilarious modern story. The production team of Betsie Wotherspoon, Noel Wotherspoon, Jim Edgeton, LeAnne Edgeton, and Rachel Biggs announced the cast and began rehearsals at the end of March.

Tena Edlin and Ella Holderbaum star as Katherine and Ellie, the supernaturally switched mother and daughter. Quimby Scotton portrays Fletcher, Ellie’s puppet-loving little brother, and Andrew Edlin is Mike, Katherine’s fiancé. Torrey, Katherine’s long-suffering catering assistant, is played by Meredith Siemsen. Ellie’s crush, Adam, is portrayed by Tristen Garretson, and Amber Burroughs is Ellie’s ruthless high school nemesis, Savannah. Laney Bowers, Naomi Stiemsma, Tanner Bruckman, and Niko Emerson are Ellie’s loyal friends.

Nearly everyone in the cast plays multiple characters and performs in ensemble songs. Amber Adkins is Grandma Helene, Ms. Meyers, and a policeman; Jason Deprey is Pastor Bruno, Louis, and a security guard; Phoenix Haessler is Danielle from Weddings Magazine, a cop, and Savannah’s minion; Jessica Hamm is Mrs. Luckenbill, Danielle’s assistant, a cop, a minion, and Laurel; Elizabeth Hootman is one of Savannah’s minions; Fred Hucke plays Señor O’Brien, Officer Sitz, and the father of Parker and Wells; Douglas Marshall is Dr. Ehrin and a policeman; Andrew McKenzie portrays Grandpa Gordon and Officer Kowalski; and Angela Winter is Ms. Blumen and Adam’s mom.

Director Betsie Wotherspoon gathered information from the leading actors about their time on stage.

Why and how did you become interested in acting?

A number of the leads in Freaky Friday cite fascination with theatre from childhood or youth, often because they experienced live theatre or they saw family members perform. Some had a watershed moment. For Meredith Siemsen, it was performing in a 9th grade one act play called Bimbo the Pirate at MSAE, directed by Rodney Franz. This experience led to her earning a BFA in Theatre and continuing to act, being “hooked for life.”

Tena Edlin shared that she was "a goner” after she saw Broadway tours of Annie and Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan when she was 9 years old. Andrew Edlin has theatre in his blood: his grandfather was a successful music hall actor and made one feature film; performing was a respected part of his family life. However, discovering Shakespeare and literature and beginning to write when he was 16 was “life changing."

The cast represents a large range of theatre experience. Tena has performed in more than 60 shows and directed another 30. Andrew's credits include more than 30 shows. Meredith, Ella, and Tristen began their theatre careers in high school, and Quimby was introduced to theatre by Mrs. Edlin in middle school. He was at parent-teacher conferences and she told Quimby about that year’s production, Newsies. He was so excited, he had to put his head down on the table!

How has theatre benefitted you in school or in life?

All of the leads related numerous benefits of theatre participation. Andrew shared that he gained confidence and spontaneity in social settings. Ella Holderbaum found that performing in plays cured her stage fright when speaking or singing in public. Quimby is learning to think on his feet and improvise; actors gain the ability to cover up a mistake onstage and not let the audience know when something goes wrong!

Tristen Garretson enjoys the challenge of memorizing lines and living through different characters' experiences. He also mentioned that theatre gives him a place of belonging and family. Tena agreed: “Being involved in theatre, especially musical theatre, has given me the best and closest set of friends I'd ever had. Casts really become like families.”

What are your favorite aspects of theatre?

Asked about their favorite aspects of live performance, some mentioned creativity of sets, costumes, and props. Andrew explained that theatre creates a safe space for all, onstage and backstage: introverts, extroverts, even those who may view themselves as “quirky misfits” find a home and kindred spirits.

“In the magical space of a theatre, all can find a haven to develop their craft and skills,” he said. Also, there is great pleasure in experiencing the “extraordinary connection that live theatre gives performers and audience members.”

Meredith shared, “Where else but the stage does one have permission not only to be truly, fully themselves – the hopeless romantic, the villain, or the clown – but fully in the moment.” Although it wasn't her first performance, Tena "cried for joy" when she played Maria in a high school production of The Sound of Music.

“I love being a witness to the moment my students feel that for the first time in our middle school shows. I like to run around the side and watch them as they come offstage after a show . . . they're almost flying, hardly touching the ground. Connecting young people to the magic of theatre is one of the joys of my life,” she said.

What makes your Freaky Friday character interesting?

When asked about the part they perform, Quimby shared that his character is interesting because Fletcher has a strange personality and often uses his puppets, Caspian and Angry Bob, to express himself. Tristen feels that he shares a lot in common with his character, Adam . . . even his love of sandwiches!

Ella replied that she does not really play her own character, because she is Katherine in Ellie’s body for most of the show.

“I’m acting like an adult who is trying to act like a teenager,” she said.

Tena added that it is a challenge to play a teenager who is stuck inside her mom's body.

“I have to react as Ellie would; the body language and speech cadences are different for a teenager than an adult. It's fun to try to capture that,” she said.

Andrew had to dig to find Mike’s character because the script did not provide a lot of background material.

“He is a kind, patient, regular guy who loves Katherine unconditionally. She is this high-powered, widowed businesswoman with two difficult kids. Is he puzzled most of the time? Yes.”

Meredith observed, “I saw in Torrey a chance to embrace the parts of myself that are highly anxious and highly emotional. She’s a sensitive, creative person who demands perfection from herself to a degree that is comical. What can I say? Type casting.”

QUESTIONS FOR BETSIE WOTHERSPOON

What made you choose to do Freaky Friday, and have you done this one before?

Freaky Friday, the New Musical was released for amateur groups in 2018. Music Theatre International (MTI) promoted the show by posting the full script on their website. Of course, I was familiar with the basic plot: a mother and daughter who don’t get along, magically switch bodies. I fell in love with the new re-creation and clever, gorgeous music! Although it is a comedy, the updated story has a more serious plot line and higher stakes than previous versions. Freaky Friday is both hilarious and emotionally moving as it explores the dynamics of a family persevering and rebuilding after a tragedy.

Freaky Friday was set to be the spring 2020 musical at Fairfield High School. We were ready to open in April: I had most of the prep work complete, Mr. Reiter taught all the music and actors knew their lines; Jim Edgeton had the orchestra lined up; Noel created and taught most of the choreography; the costumes, props, and set were nearly finished. Then COVID closed schools in March. It was heartbreaking: another in a long list of losses that students and staff experienced across the country.

After I retired as FHS teacher/speech coach/drama director in 2021, I longed to take care of the unfinished Freaky Friday business. I pitched the show to FACT about a year and a half ago, and here we are!

Can you talk about the work you have to do as the director, and the work of the people helping you in supporting roles, the other people behind the scenes? It's always nice to include them too even though the audience doesn't see them.

A major difference this time around is that my daughter Noel, the current FHS drama director, is co-director and choreographer. This is an interesting angle: A mother-daughter team is directing a show about a broken mother-daughter relationship! It is a new experience working with the FACT board and Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.

When I directed shows at FHS, I had three amazing volunteers: Noel, Jim Edgeton, and John Grunwald. I called them the “technicians and magicians behind the scenes,” because I quickly understood that no one can do that job alone. The FACT board has been very supportive for this show, handling many tasks a high school director would normally do.

Diana Flynn worked out the orders and contracts with MTI and FACC. Lou Bolster repurposed some pieces and built others for the set. He also created the magic hourglass which is integral to the story. Jennie Flinspach lent us the fabulous puppets she created for Grinnell High School’s Freaky Friday production. Meredith Siemsen did all the scenic painting, including the beautiful school banner and biology frog chart.

Tommy Brower and Ken Malloy are working on technical aspects with the FACC staff who are running lights and sound. Rachel Biggs worked on most of the tasks for posters, publicity, costumes, and props. Joan Salts is paying the bills! Dee Ann Lantz and Rachel Meyers participated in production meetings and offered valuable input and advice.

Tickets will be sold at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center box office and online at fairfieldacc.com. Adult tickets are $25 and student tickets (kindergarten–12th grade) are $10.

Freaky Friday A New Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684, Fax: 212-397-4684. www.MTIShows.com