Legitimate Theater: #4. "Freaky Friday" (2016)

Freaky Friday

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

Opening

Among the many gifts of this past August brought us a filmed version of the recent Freaky Friday musical. While this column will be looking at the adaptation in relation between the 2003 film and the 2016 stage version, it's still interesting to see certain Disney properties getting the full circle treatment. Here, it's time to revisit a story of mother-daughter body swap comedy that is bound to make people laugh. What makes it additionally interesting is that this is the first Legitimate Theater column to not focus on a Broadway show. With that said, it's interesting to note that it's geared towards schools performing it, which makes the setting and execution a lot more interesting in conversation. Still, how does it hold up when compared to the film of 13 years before, when Lindsay Lohan looked to be the studio's next big hit? Hopefully fun.

A Quick Background

Tony Nominations: 0

Based on: Freaky Friday (2003)

Music: Tom Kitt

Lyrics: Brian Yorkey

Book: Bridget Carpenter

Prominent Actors:  Emma Hunton, Heidi Blickenstaff, Alan H. Green

Soundtrack

1. "Prologue"
2. "Just One Day"
3. "The Hourglass"
4. "I Got This"
5. "What You Got"
6. "Oh, Biology"
7. "Alan H. Green - Vows"
8. "Busted"
9. "Somebody Has Got to Take the Blame"
10. "Watch Your Back"
11. "Heidi Blickenstaff - Parents Lie"
12. "Just One Day (Reprise)"
13. "Not Myself Today"
14. "Women and Sandwiches"
15. "Bring My Baby (Brother) Home"
16. "Go"
17. "After All of This and Everything"
18. "Emma Hunton - No More Fear"
19. "The Other Hourglass"
20. "Today and Ev'ry Day"

Note: Listen to the music here

Song Exploration

Opening Song:

"Prologue"/"Jut One Day"

If there's one thing that Disney musicals do better than about any generic adaptation, it's at least having a music writer who can nail melodies. In this case, it conveys a lot of rich text of the characters over a chatty style of singing that breaks into occasional ensemble moments that are upbeat and fun. As a whole, this show is maybe a bit redundant and generic, but it definitely has a lot of ingenuity where it counts and thankfully the singers here sell every last moment with an earnestness and playful nature that makes it easy to dance along to.

Carryovers:

Whether it's contractual or not, there's no actual song carryovers from the previous editions. There's not even a reference to the Lindsay Lohan song "Ultimate," which could've fit somewhere in the playbook. Instead, it's all original and upbeat songs that take a look into something a bit familiar. This is still the story of a mother and daughter switching bodies, and there's still moments of shock and humor from them experiencing that. There's a lot in the plot that is carried over, including the third act wedding and general found love between a family that starts the story a bit disheveled.

High Point:

"Oh Biology"

There's something to the show that's a bit understated when it comes to clever lines. While it's mostly fixated on updating teen slang in clever ways, the show still has a knack for finding musical numbers that pop with personality. In the case of this early fun song, it's all about how biology has changed everyone's bodies into something gross and strange. Considering what the subtext of the show is, that's a pretty clever addition to the plot. It's also among the show's most memorable songs, if just because it finds a practical use for biology-related references.

Low Point:

"Not Myself Today"

To be fair, there's not a significant low point in the entire show. It's upbeat and has enough juice to keep everything in motion. However, their slower songs at points definitely have the weaker elements, if just because the earnestness isn't as fun as the catchy melodies and playful character moments. In particular, this track feels like ground that's been covered before in song, and arguably better. It's fine, but it is one of the few songs that takes the cleverness a bit too far and just makes it an okay song. There's not much when compared to the other tracks, and that's really its own faults.

What Does It Bring to the Story?

The truth is that it's predominantly faithful in all of the significant ways. The body swap plot is almost the same, though there's more emphasis on family love and bonding. There's also a switch in plot, where the mystical fortune cookie isn't what turns them - instead relying on hourglasses and narcissistic cooks. There's a lot to enjoy in the changes, and there's even a subplot that is a scavenger hunt to find the hourglass they need to switch back. It's minor things in the grand picture, but they help to shape the story into something that works on the stage.

Was This Necessary?

Yes

In all honesty, this isn't the greatest entry covered on Legitimate Theater. It's at times a generic and upbeat show that mostly works because of its appeal to teenage theater kids. Considering that it's what it was made to do, then it should be considered a complete success. Also, the music is not without a lot of memorable moments that warrant its existence. It may not be the most essential musical of all time, but considering that it's updating a story that is somehow timeless it manages to survive on its own merits. It won't likely play on Broadway, though I do hope it will play in local productions and get the next generation obsessed with song and dance shows, or at least appreciate the wit of "Oh Biology."


Up Next: School's back in session, and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice are giving you an enrollment this September to the School of Rock musical. Stick it to the man with me, if you want.