THE PREMIERE OF DISNEY CHANNEL’S ORIGINAL MOVIE ‘FREAKY FRIDAY’ IS THE #1 TV TELECAST OF THE SUMMER IN KIDS 6-11 AND TWEENS 9-14 !!
Sarah Willey and Jag Arneja star in this comedic body-swap movie musical, told as a new story for a new generation.
Based on the stage musical by Disney’s Theatrical Group It premiered August 10th on Disney Channel.
As a Disney Channel Original Movie, it will be seen in 400 million homes on Disney Channels worldwide. It is also newly available via Music Theatre International (MTI) to schools and community theatres.
This is the fifth iteration of “Freaky Friday,” but the first in telling the story through music on screen, with the musical numbers progressing the story as well as heightening the emotion of the actions of the story. Adding song and dance to the subtext of each scene, each character’s inner dialogue is emphasized and all the more relatable to the viewing audience. The story and the music gets a message across about empathy — and how the empathy we develop for our parents extends to the rest of the world.
Based on Mary Rodgers‘ 1972 novel, Freaky Friday first hit screens in 1976, starring Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. The popular franchise has been remade on screen twice since then, as a 1995 TV movie with Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffman, and again in 2003 with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Disney Theatrical Productions developed the contemporary stage musical adaptation, which has a book by Bridget Carpenter (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood), original songs by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winners Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then).
Whether the medium is stage, film or TV, the “Freaky Friday” story tells the truth about the push and pull relationship between parents and kids – it’s a story that is ultimately optimistic with a fitting dose of sincere emotion.
Starring are: Cozi Zuehlsdorff (“Dolphin Tale“) and Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid” and “Something Rotten!” on Broadway, and the stage production of “Freaky Friday“), Ricky He, Alex Désert, Jason Maybaum, Kahyun Kim, Dara Renee’, Jennifer Laporte, Isaiah Lehtinen, Sarah Willey (aka Marlowe Percival) as “Kitty” Rukiya Bernard, Jag Arneja as and Joshua Pak.
The production is directed by Steve Carr, choreography by Tony Award-nominee John Carrafa (“Into the Woods“, “Urinetown“) and Emmy nominee David Lawrence (“Descendants“, “High School Musical“) composed the score.
Perry Andelin Blake is the production designer. Academy Award winner Angus Strathie (“Moulin Rouge!“, “Deadpool“) is the costume designer.
The executive producers are: Steve Carr, Susan Cartsonis and Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions (“The Lion King“, “Aladdin” and “Frozen” on Broadway).
SNEAK PREVIEW:
Jag Arneja as Señor O’Brien:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4UuLDZnBU
Freaky Friday has nine musical scenes – as music videos on DisneyMusicVevo and/or Disney Channel YouTube.
MUSIC VIDEOS:
See Sarah Willey (aka Marlowe Percival) performing below…
Oh, Biology (From the Disney Channel Original Movie “Freaky Friday“)
Music video by Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Ricky He, Jennifer Laporte, Isaiah Lehtinen, Dara R. Moss, Sarah Willey (aka Marlowe Percival) performing Oh, Biology. © 2018 Walt Disney Records:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4BnBAWvVw
Go (From “Freaky Friday” the Disney Channel Original Movie)
by Cozi Zuehlsdorff & Ricky He & Jennifer Laporte & Isaiah Lehtinen & Dara Reneé & Sarah Willey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OntNV_FufEo (4:19)
The 12 song soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on Friday, August 10.
Freaky Friday soundtrack is available here: http://disneymusic.co/freakyfridaymoviedl
On Friday, August 24 (8:00 p.m.), “Freaky Friday Live Play“, a special telecast and second screen interactive experience, will connect kids’ interest in the movie with their favorite activities – leveling up via trivia and quizzes.