Venice Theatre charges $40 for 'Freaky Friday' body-swap musical
The production opens Friday at the Raymond Center and runs through Nov. 22, featuring a cast that portrays both sides of a mother-daughter conflict.
By Rachel Wilson ·
Venice Theatre sets the standard price for adult tickets to its new musical at $40. The production, titled “Freaky Friday,” begins performance on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Raymond Center. The venue is located at 140 Tampa Ave. W. in downtown Venice. The show will run through Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026.
The story centers on Katherine Blake, a mother who plans every detail of her life, and her teenage daughter Ellie, who embraces chaos. Sarah Robles-Wise portrays Katherine, while Hannah-Rose Randi plays Ellie. The conflict escalates one day before Katherine’s wedding. A magical event causes the two women to swap bodies.
Katherine must navigate the demands of high school, including social drama and romantic interests. Ellie takes over the logistics of the wedding and her mother’s professional obligations. Both characters discover the difficulties of the other’s daily routine during the swap. The premise is adapted from Mary Rodgers’ novel and the subsequent Disney films.
Brad Wages serves as the director and choreographer for the production. Michelle Kasanofsky provides musical direction. The creative team includes Bridget Carpenter, who wrote the book, and Tom Kitt, who composed the music. Brian Yorkey wrote the lyrics. Carpenter previously worked on “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood.” Kitt and Yorkey collaborated on the musical “Next to Normal.”
Supporting roles include Joey Lockwood as Ellie’s brother Fletcher, Henry Barre as the fiancé Mike, and Charlotte Crowley as Torrey, Katherine’s colleague. James Fiorendeno plays Grandpa Gordon, and Susan Mergens appears as Grandma Helene. The cast includes an ensemble that spans multiple generations.
Ticket prices vary by group. College students and educators pay $30 for admission. Children and teens pay $19. The Oct. 31 performance offers a $10 discount for adults. Ulla & Kent Crickard, Carole Freeland Raymond, and Dr. Shanaka & Rana Weerasooriya are listed as sponsors for the production.
The musical marks a production in the 77th Season for the company. The score combines pop, rock, and humorous tunes. The narrative addresses family dynamics through the physical exchange of the two main characters. The stage production features both the original characters and their swapped counterparts.
Source: Englewood Review
