*Lakeland Civic Theatre * *Presents* *Freaky Friday* Book by *Bridget Carpenter* Music by *Tom Kitt* Lyrics by *Brian Yorkey* *"But then there’s “Parents Lie” and “Bring My (Baby) Brother Home,” which remind us that the guys who actually wrote “Next to Normal” are in the room." ....."**These songs are complex, have immense heart and require performers with impressive vocal range, power and purity to do them justice. This is exactly what the talented Trinidad Snider and Alley Massey bring to the table as mother Katherine and daughter Ellie, respectively. And gorgeous songs like Snider’s “After All of This and Everything” and Massey’s “No More Fear” drive home that eleventh-hour moral takeaway, when each character finally comes to understand the other." **"Director Martin Friedman and designers Aaron Benson (scenic), Marcus Dana (lighting) and Eric Simna (sound) seem to gravitate toward these songs and are at their best staging their {certain songs} intimate moments. Dramatic silhouette lighting, delicate sound mixing with music director Matthew Dolan’s excellent eight-piece orchestra, and graceful movement accentuate the songs’ poignancy and the performers’ artistry." * * Bob Ableman, The Cleveland Jewish News February 3, 2019* Directed by *Martin Friedman* Musical Direction by *Matthew Dolan* Settings Designed by *Aaron Benson * Sound Designed by *Eric Simna * Lighting Designed by *Marcus Dana* Costumes Designed by *Kelsey Tomlinson * Choreography by *Katie Zarecki* Production Stage Manager *Whitney Miller* *The Play:* *I saw this play at its initial tryout at the Signature Theatre in Washington DC (actually Shirlington,Va.) two years ago with my family. I was bowled over by the changes to this already wonderful book (by Richard Rodgers’ daughter Mary Rodgers) and films. Instead of an almost slap-stick story about a mother and daughter exchanging minds and and coming to grips with the change of bodies; the new musical instead takes on something more important; the different hopes and dreams of a mother and daugthter and body shaming. I found the story down-right profound and the music wonderful.* *And perhaps most importantly, FREAKY FRIDAY is no longer just a book and movie about a homogeneous family and the school they attend, but rather it is about the real world.* *Based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers features a book by Bridget Carpenter, and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey - the Pulitzer Prize-winning composers of Next to Normal and If/Then.* *The Plot: **“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.”* *The Production:* *Freaky Friday **runs from Friday, February 8 and run through Sunday, February 17, 2019. There will be six (6) more performances. All Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 pm and Sunday shows begin at 2:00 pm. * For more information please feel free to call 440.525.7526 for production information. Call 440.525.7134 for ticket purchases. Visit lakelandcc.edu/arts to order tickets online. *Directions to Lakeland Community College and free parking.* I 90 east to Rt. #306. Turn right on #306. Burger King on your right, Speedway on your left. Turn left at the first light. Get in the right lane. At first stop sign turn right. At second stop sign turn right. At THIRD stop sign turn right again. Go forward 100 feet and turn left into the Faculty/Staff parking lot. The theatre is just past the Clocktower on your left. Building “D”. Lakeland Community College 7700 Clocktower Drive Kirtland, Ohio 44094