Disney Theatrical Productions just celebrated its first stage-to-television collaboration with the Disney Channel in adapting its original stage musical Freaky Friday for a worldwide televised premiere on the Disney Channel on Friday, August 10th.
Executive produced by Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions and Steve Carr and Susan Cartsonis ("Deidra & Laney Rob a Train," "What Women Want"), the Disney Channel premiere stars Broadway veteran Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid, Something Rotten) and Cozi Zuehlsdorf ("Dolphin Tale"). Blickenstaff originated the role of Katherine Blake in the stage premiere of Freaky Friday at Signature Theatre, followed by productions at La Jolla Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse and Alley Theatre.
Since its world stage premiere at Signature Theatre in 2016, there have been several professional licensed productions of Freaky Friday. The full-length stage musical is currently available for licensing. Additionally, a new one-act stage version of the musical based on the Disney Channel Original Movie will be available for licensing on August 10, the same date as its worldwide television premiere.
Tom Kitt wrote the music and Brian Yorkey penned the lyrics for the original stage production of Freaky Friday and have returned for the television adaptation. The film features eight songs from the original stage production and one brand new song for the movie. The Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning pair also collaborated on If/Then and Next to Normal.
Just last night, the best of Broadway gathered at the Beacon theatre to celebrate the film's premiere and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos from the red carpet below!
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
Jason Maybaum
Jason Maybaum
Isaiah Lehtinen
Isaiah Lehtinen
Susan Cartsonis
Susan Cartsonis
Jennifer Laporte
Jennifer Laporte
Sofie Dossi
Ricky He
Ricky He
Marlowe Percival
Marlowe Percival
Sofia Wylie
Genevieve Buechner
Joshua Pak
Joshua Pak
The cast of FREAKY FRIDAY
Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Heidi Blickenstaff
Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Heidi Blickenstaff
Heidi Blickenstaff, Susan Cartsonis, Cozi Zuehlsdorff
Alex Desert
Alex Desert
Alex Desert, Heidi Blickenstaff
Steve Carr
Dara Renee
Dara Renee
Rayla
Isaak Presley, Mimi Ryder
John Carrafa and guest
Mattea Conforti, Zoe Glick, Ayla Schwartz
Rukiya Bernard
Rukiya Bernard
James Monroe Iglehart and nephew
Tom Kitt, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Heidi Blickenstaff, Thomas Schumacher, Brian Yorkey and the producing team of FREAKY FRIDAY
Dara Renee, Cozi Zuehlsdorff
Mandy Teefey
Daniel Breaker and son
Richard H. Blake and son
Aviva Drescher and family
Sky Katz
Genevieve Gorder and daughter
Cheech Manohar and guest
Mary Jo McConnell and guest
Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen
Julia Murney, Heidi Blickenstaff
Ali Ewoldt, Jay Armstrong Johnson
Kara Lindsay, Sara Edwards, Heidi Blickenstaff, Kirsten Scott, Patti Murin
Julian Ramos, Carina-Kay Louchiey
Tony Niedenbach
Eean Cochran, Brad Bonds
John Cariani and family
Sumi Yu, Corbin Mayer
Jason Gotay and guest
Jeanette Bayardelle, Roschelle Salmon
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