Mother/Daughter Discoveries and Realizations (METC)

Photo by Miranda Gaddis

Freaky Friday the Musical Book by Bridget Carpenter Lyrics by Brian Yorkey Music by Tom Kitt Directed by Mary Kate Vanegas

A Review by Brian Kennedy

Entire contents are copyright © 2025 Brian Kennedy. All rights reserved. 

A vigorous ride with all kinds of entertaining twists and turns await audiences of Mind’s Eye Theatre’s production of Freaky Friday the Musical.

The production, which Mary Kate Vanegas directed and Mimi Housewright choreographed for Mind’s Eye Theatre, is based on the Mary Rodgers novel and multiple Disney movies. Overworked mother Katherine Blake (Ashley Drury) and her resentful teenage daughter Ellie (Karly Jones) magically switch bodies and are forced to live each other’s lives for 24 hours. Both start out confidently but soon find these lives are not as easy as initially thought. Ellie and Katherine are double cast with Leilani Bracey and Annie Mayer taking the mother/daughter roles on select nights.

Drury and Jones’s mother/daughter energy was immediately apparent. Katherine trying to talk to her daughter Ellie while the latter tried to give the opening monologue was hilarious. That transitioned into the opening "Just One Day," possibly the best opening number of any musical so far this year. The ensemble was energetic, projected their voices (When the mics cut out, which was often in the show, actor voices could still be clearly heard near the back rows), and enthusiastically performed the needed moves. The excellent live band, which Nina Espinueva directed and conducted, added to the energy of the moment.

After Katherine and Ellie switch bodies, the acting skills of Drury and Jones are on clear, entertaining display. They keep the mother/daughter dynamic but from opposite ends, which, in turn, makes the later discoveries and realizations all the more believable. At times funny, at other times emotional, and at all times Drury and Jones were flat out awesome. 

Others pleasingly added to the Freaky Friday world. The ensemble that vigorously performed "Just One Day" kept the liveliness going in the entire show. When their voices combined during the needed moments, the result could rival some of the PNC Broadway in Louisville shows. 

Meanwhile, Katherine’s son and Ellie’s brother Fletcher (Madoc McMahon) was hilarious with his one-liners and sock puppets. His chemistry with Ellie’s love interest Adam (Jaxson Plum) was easy-going and fun, and Fletcher’s own emotional moments were a welcome dimension to the show.

Overall, Freaky Friday the Musical, which Mind’s Eye performs at Fern Creek High School, is a fun treat for any age that’s either a fan of the Disney movies or looking for an ultimately relatable and lighthearted escape.

Freaky Friday the Musical Minds Eye Theatre Company May 8th-10th and 16th-18th Fern Creek High School 9115 Fern Creek Rd Louisville, KY 40291 https://www.mindseyetheatre.com/