Once the leaves turned and supermarkets overflowed with turkeys, the AIS community was swamped with work in preparation for the coming break. However, those fraught weeks were brightened by the annual fall musical: a staple of the season, it is a welcome distraction for students and faculty alike.
This year’s production, Freaky Friday, was humorous and nostalgic. Adapted from the 2003 Disney film, it retains the teenage angst and “feel-good” tone inherent to a Disney production. Protagonist Ellie Blake (Ava Guerriero), grieving the passing of her late father, holds a strained relationship with her mother (Julia Halpern). Because the two are unable to empathize with each other’s emotions, and are barely able to understand their own, tensions boil over a day before the mother’s wedding. A fight over a magical hourglass cascades into the two women swapping bodies. With no immediate way to reverse the spell, they are forced to live as each other for a day, eventually recognizing each other’s struggles.
Every fall musical seems to outdo the last, reflecting the intense effort of faculty and student participants. Freaky Friday’s catchy soundtrack and heartwarming finale makes the musical a magical experience. The actors’ performances were enthusiastic and immersive. Seamless transitions between scenes left viewers feverish in anticipation. The set, a unique combination of hand-painted furniture and digital projections, was bright and eye-catching. Each aspect of this production was fun, leaving the audience with a hopeful send off for the approaching holidays.
