Don’t Freak Out: WT Theatre to End Season with Musical Version of ‘Freaky Friday’

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

Don't Freak Out: WT Theatre to End Season with Musical Version of 'Freaky Friday'

CANYON, Texas - The mother of all body-swap comedies comes to the stage with West Texas A&M University Theatre's staging of "Freaky Friday," opening April 10.

The musical version of the forever-popular YA tale of a squabbling mom and daughter who switch places and learn invaluable lessons will be staged April 10 to 19 in the Branding Iron Theatre in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on WT's Canyon campus.

"Freaky Friday" originated as a 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers, then was adapted for films in 1976, 1995 and 2003. The musical adaptation-with music by Tom Kitt, lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and a book by Bridget Carpenter-premiered in 2016 and was itself adapted for the Disney Channel in 2018.

The core in each adaptation stays the same: An uptight mom (Katherine, played by Bella Bailey, a senior musical theatre major from Little Elm) and her free-willed daughter (Ellie, played by Sterling Knight, a senior musical theatre major from Amarillo) magically switch bodies. In 1976, it was Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. In 2003, and again in 2025, it was Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.

"I think stories of mother-daughter relationships-or, well, female relationships in general-always come back around because it's refreshing to have a story that's emotionally impactful and relatable that doesn't necessarily have to do with romance," Knight said. "And with this story specifically, there are two different ages at which you can really relate to it, right? You can relate to it as a teenager and then watch it again as an adult and have a whole new experience with it."

Another kind of duality is a key selling point for Bailey: The chance to play two characters in one show.

"It's really fun," Bailey said. "You get to be the villain and the hero at the same time. Katherine is the stern mother, but you get to see why she is that way, and then when you experience Ellie through Katherine, you see a different side of Ellie, too. They really don't know each other, and this process they go through helps them really understand each other."

"Freaky Friday" is directed by Stephen Crandall, a former WT professor of theatre who's now dean of liberal arts at Amarillo College. Music director is Bradley Behrmann, associate professor of musical theatre, and choreographer is Crystal Bertrand, senior instructor of dance and WT Dance program director; both teach in WT's Department of Art, Theatre and Dance in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. Set design is by guest artist Tana Roberson.

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. April 10 and 11, 7:30 p.m. April 16 to 18, and 2:30 p.m. April 12 and 19.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for WT students, faculty and staff with a Buff Gold Card. Call 806-651-2810, email [email protected], or visit cur8.com/projects/17516.

Lead cast members also include Nicholas Shaffer Jr., a sophomore political science major from Amarillo, as Mike; Ysabella Mireles, a junior musical theatre major from Alamo, as Gretchen; Hope Joyce, a sophomore musical theatre major from Odessa, as Hannah; Avery Fedele, a sophomore musical theatre major from Andrews, as Savannah; and Seed John, a sophomore theatre major from Midland, as Adam.

Ensemble members include Tori Ybarra, a junior musical theatre major from Austin; Morgan Baily, a senior musical theatre major from El Paso; Daniel Baggerman, a sophomore theatre major from Corpus Christi; Trey Becerra, a junior theatre major from Tulia; Corin Townsend, a senior musical theatre major from Garland; Devin Lindley, a senior musical theatre major from Pampa; Lily Greer, a freshman musical theatre major from San Antonio; Avery Norman, a freshman musical theatre major from St. Louis; Isa Slaughter, a senior musical theatre major from Odessa; MarLowe Martinez, a sophomore musical theatre major from El Paso; and Yvonne Legarreta, a sophomore theatre major from Friona. Understudies are Alana Ransonette, a freshman musical theatre major from Amarillo, for Ellie, and Ecko Hinson, a freshman musical theatre major from Lubbock, for Katherine.

Lead crew members are Lizbeth Juarez, a senior theatre major from Grand Prairie, costume designer; Violet Greenhaw, a junior theatre major from Sundown, lighting designer; Nolan Adams, a junior theatre major from Dumas, sound designer; Sarah Hope Smith, a junior theatre major from Amarillo, stage manager; and Delia Carrera, a junior theatre major from Lubbock, hair and makeup designer.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is a key component of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: Sterling Knight, left, and Bella Bailey star as a daughter and mom who swap places in a new musical version of "Freaky Friday," opening April 10 at West Texas A&M University.

-WT-