Cast Announced for UK Premiere of Disney’s Freaky Friday Musical

22 Oct

Jena Pandya and Rebecca Lock. Photo by Mark Senior

Bringing the body-swapping, mother-daughter duo to life on the stage in the UK premiere of the musical in November are Rebecca Lock (Here and Now: The Steps Musical) as Katherine, and Jena Pandya as Ellie (Come Fall In Love The DDLJ Musical).

They will be joined by Ian Virgo (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Mike, Samantha Ho (Cabaret) as Gretchen, Beth Savill (Hamlet) as Hannah, Jessica Butterworth (making her professional stage debut) as Savannah, Ellie Gilbert-Grey (making her professional stage debut) as Laurel, Max Mirza (Clueless The Musical) as Adam, Morgan Gregory (The Lightning Thief) as Parker, Dylan Gordon-Jones (Back To The Future) as Wells, Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton) as Dr Ehrin, Tori Scott (The Cher Show) as Torrey, Katharine Pearson (Heathers The Musical) as Danielle, James Stirling (The Three Musketeers) as Grampa Jo, and Catherine Millsom (Sister Act) as Grandma Helene.

Based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, which have captured the hearts of generations, this vibrant musical reimagines the iconic body-swapping tale with a fresh contemporary score and feel-good moments that are perfect for the whole family.

When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.

Presented by Paul Taylor-Mills (The Lightning Thief; Heathers The Musical), this musical premiere will be directed by Andy Fickman, known for bringing the cult-classic Heathers from screen to stage, and features a book by Bridget Carpenter, acclaimed co-executive producer and writer of beloved television series Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. The musical boasts an extraordinary score by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal). Choreography is by Alexzandra Sarmiento (42 Balloons) with associate choreographer Sam Wilson-Freeman (&Juliet), set and costume design by David Shields (Heathers The Musical), with associate costume design by Reuben Speed (Doctor Faustus), lighting design by Nick Richings (La Cage Aux Folles), music supervisor and arranger Will Parker (Self Esteem presents A Complicated Woman), musical director George Strickland (The Book Thief) and associate director is Ben Johnson (Nerds The Musical).