High school presents ‘Freaky Friday’ next week

The Sisters High School music and fine arts departments will present the musical rendition of “Freaky Friday,” set for performances November 14-17 at the Sisters High School auditorium.

According to choir director Rick Johnson, more than 70 different high school students are involved in the production and have been working since last May to prepare for the stage version of Disney’s Freaky Friday.

Film productions of Freaky Friday were released in both 1976 and 2003 and are based on a book by Mary Rogers published in 1972 by the same title. The films were not set to music, but Disney Theatrical Productions created the stage adaptation and the musical opened for the first time in 2016.

The storyline centers on a mother (Katherine) who is an over-worked, stressed-out wedding planner, and her teenage daughter (Ellie), who mysteriously and magically swap bodies the day before the mother is to be married in a wedding she happens to be planning for herself. The swap occurs when a magical hourglass is broken during an argument between Katherine and Ellie. Until the twin to the broken magical hourglass can be found and the swap undone, the mother and daughter are forced to act like each other, resulting in endless awkwardness and hilarity.

With less than 24 hours to get back to normal, the action has pressing urgency.

Sarah Kissinger plays Katherine and Sasha Stolasz is the daughter Ellie. Other leads include Ian Cash as Ellie’s heartthrob Adam, Ashton King as the step-father-to-be Mike, and Lauren Taylor as Ellie’s younger brother Fletcher.

There will be four performances of the music in all, with three evening performances which begin at 7 p.m. on November 14, 15, and 16. A Sunday matinee will take place November 17 at 2 p.m.

Sisters High presents musicals every other year.

Johnson says it picked the play for its comedy, fantastic music, and tear-jerking lyrics. “Students and parents alike will be able to relate to the themes in the storyline,” he said. “It’s fun but also touching to the heart.”

“We want to make sure everyone in the community has an opportunity to enjoy this production,” said Johnson. “It is certainly open to all ages.”

He also deeply encourages people to come in support of the effort the kids have put in to prepare for the performance.

“Everyone, from the actors to the band members, to the artists and the backstage helpers have worked so hard to make this happen, so I sincerely hope people will come out to support them and enjoy the show.”

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Children under 5 are free. Ticket sales help cover the cost of rights to the scripts and other costs associated with making the production possible.