“Freaky Friday” Is Getting the Disney Channel Musical Treatment
Broadway fans have likely been reveling in the fact that Mean Girls, Frozen, and even A Christmas Story will soon be lighting up the Great White Way. Now there’s even more reason to celebrate, as Freaky Friday, your fave old-school body-swapping story, is getting the musical treatment on the Disney Channel.
Debuting on the network in 2018 as part of the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, the new musical will be a hybrid of both the beloved films and the Disney Theatrical Productions’ stage adaptation of the original novel by Mary Rodgers.
As you’ll recall, the movie was originally brought to life in 1976 with actress Shelley Long, then remade in 1995 with Gabby Hoffman. It’s the story of a mother and daughter who mysteriously wake up in each other’s bodies, forcing them to see life from the other person’s point of view. It was remade again in 2003, with Jamie Lee Curtis playing the part of the beleaguered mom, Katherine, and Lindsay Lohan portraying her rebellious teen, Ellie.
For the new song-and-dance adaptation, Heidi Blickenstaff will step into Curtis’ role, while Lohan’s part will be played by Cozi Zuehlsdorff, whom you might recognize from Dolphin Tale and its sequel.
“A classic story like Freaky Friday has a magical capacity to engage multiple generations — whether it’s in the form of a book, a theatrical film, a stage show — or all of the above!” Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide, told E!.
He added, “Working with our partners at Disney Live Theatrical, we’re thrilled to bring this classic story to life in a whole new form — a music-driven movie for television — that will be enjoyed by tens of millions of kids and families around the world.”
We can’t wait to check it out!
Are you excited for a Freaky Friday musical? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photos via Walt Disney Pictures + Carlo Allegri/Getty)
