Hononegah Performing Arts gave stellar performances in musical Freaky Friday

Stellar performances of Freaky Friday filled the stage of the Hononegah Performing Arts Center from March 13-15, 2026.

Directed by Carolyn Frieden and Assistant Director Mr. Christian Frieden, a multi talented cast of main characters were joined by an impressive ensemble to tell a thought provoking story that holds a deeper meaning.

Based on the book by Mary Rogers and the Disney films, “Freaky Friday, A New Musical” revolves around an overworked mother and her teenage daughter who magically swap bodies. They have “Just One Day” to put things right again.

By spending a day in each other’s shoes, widow Katherine (Emma Caver) and Ellie Blake (Jordan Helgerson) learned to appreciate each other’s struggles, and learning self acceptance, and the realization of the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.

Both Caver and Helgerson gave first rate performances.

This show is a combination of fast paced storytelling with comedy, drama, powerful vocals, reprises, and a spectacular pit band directed by Jeremiah Kramper, and eye-catching choreography. Smooth set changes kept the action moving.

After an hourglass is broken during an argument, the unexpected body swap takes place. As the action unfolds, both Katherine and Ellie discover traits they like and don't like about each other.

By the second act, both Katherine and Ellie are feeling out of place in each other's reversed roles.

Katherine's fiance Mike, a contractor, enters the scene (played brilliantly by Garret Vandergrift).

Fletcher (played by the talented Brayden Gibson) is Ellie's 10 year old brother. Fletcher is eccentric and naive. He also loves to entertain by constantly using puppets and telling jokes.

Wanting to feel confident about their amazing transformations, Ellie and Katherine claimed, “I Got This” as others joined in.

The lovable Adam (Cooper Wellen) is a popular teenage boy at Grover Cleveland High school who is known as “The Listmaster” of the annual scavenger hunt.

When Adam said “Go” the hunt began.

Wellen hit all of the right notes as he sang “Adams' Theme”. He made it clear that Adam was interested in Ellie and also loves Katherine's sandwiches.

Savannah is Ellie's rival, played by the outstanding Grace McLarty.

Ellie in her mother's body poses a question as she takes on a hectic professional journalist, Danielle (Aubrey Hartweck) in an interview with Torrey, Katherine's always high strung assistant ( Toria Owens).

At Grover Cleveland High School in Chicago, Ellie is joined by Gretchen (AJ Gibson,) and Hannah (Caris Peterson), making a trio of friends with different personalities and shared experiences.

Wells, a close friend to Ellie ( Isabella LaPonsie) and his best friend Parker (Taylor Moreau) are also students.

Students at the school talked about the struggles of a specific course as outlined in “Oh Biology."

Laurel (Evelyn Newman), a disinterested student, is part of the class where Mr. Blumen is the cynical, test-obsessed biology teacher.

Bell McCoy was convincing as gym teacher Miss Myers who gave the stern warning, “You Better Watch Your Back.”

Mrs. Time (Irelyn Crowley) is the owner of an antique shop in Chicago where Ellie finds another hourglass in a desperate attempt to help both her and her mom regain their own bodies and personalities.

As wedding preparations began to come to light, Adam and Katherine reflected on their vows and their meaning. Katherine calls off the wedding as she is still trapped in her daughter’s body and has developed doubts.

Mike is left heartbroken and confused.

The wedding cake is destroyed and shortly after, Grandpa Gordon (Landon Sumner) and Grandma Helene (Tessa Larson), Katherine's highly opinionated mother, enters with snappy and humorous dialogue.

Adam’s theme features him pouring his heart out to Ellie who is touched but conflicted.

Katherine and Ellie talk about getting “Busted” for taking up different habits. The ensemble join in spreading this message.

Katherine and Ellie are joined by Dr. Ehrin (Carter Szczesny), Senor O'Brien (Landon Sumner) and Mrs. Luckenbill (Sammy Aranki) as the Blake ladies delve into the fact that “Somebody's Got to Take the Blame.”

In a memorable scene Fletcher sings about “Shopping with My Mom”, then on the way back, reflects on the experience of “Driving with My Mom.”

While driving Katherine, who is still posing as Ellie, Fletcher's feelings are hurt to the point where he runs away. Displaying raw emotions, Gibson stole the scene.

A search takes place for Fletcher with Officer Kowalski (Carter Szczesny) and Officer Sitz (Bell McLeod) on the case.

Katherine, still in Ellie's body, has mixed emotions as she claims, “I've Got This.”

Both Katherine and Ellie recognize, “I'm Not Myself Today.”

Adam locates a lost Fletcher and together they discuss “Women and Sandwiches.

Meanwhile Ellie requests “Bring My Baby Brother Back Home.”

Ellie - in Katherine's body - realizes how much she loves her brother Fletcher and sends him a message after Adam safely returns him to his home in “After All of This and Everything.”

Ellie discovers how to face “No More Fear.”

A transition into the wedding of Katherine and Mike takes place. Overseeing the ceremony was Pastor Bruno (Carter Szczesny).

The song “Today and Ev'ry Day” secures their commitment to each other, prior to the curtain closing.

Ensemble: Sammy Aranki, Payton Carter, Abby Church, Irelyn Crowley, Sam Dietrich, Aubrey Hartweck, Keira Jones, Isabel LaPonsie, Tessa Larson, Lily Matthys,Grace McClarty, Bell McLeod,Taylor Moreau, Aliyah Navarro, Evelyn Newman, Rian Nosbisch,Toria Owens, Val Rinaldi, Allura Runberg, Landon Sumner, Carter Szczesny, and Amelia Tapp.

Hard working crews were: Scenic Designer and Lead carpenter:Mr. Bradley Bond, PAC Director and Publicity Manager:Mr. Sean Mohler, Props and Costumes Advisor: Mrs. Kelley Beard, Stage Manager:Quinn Washko.

Assistant Stage Managers: Adele Montgomery and John Douglass.

Assistant Stage Manager Apprentice: Chloe Woodard. Audio: Ollie Elting, Nicholas Archer and Jackson Lawyer, Lighting: Baylie Hutchens, Micah Poirier, and Liam Polfliet. Isabella Kenny and Genesis Dibble operated the Fly Rail.

Props and costumes: Kaitlyn “Splinky” Ogden, Molly Vosberg, Meghan Bartch, Callie Parker, Aundrea Lindaman, Taylor Spires, Elizabeth Pietrzyk, Avenlea Greenfield, George Quirk, June Weidman, Sidney Shuga, Mackenzie Stromberg, Katie Marshall, Savanna Neiber, and Ava Mohney.

Malakhi Hilton was the dramaturge. Mackenzie Bigwood and Zoey Knapp were the dance assistants. Aubrey Hartweck was behind the poster design.

Musical prowess of the pit band came from the these talented individuals: Hailee Jarrett and Ashlin McKernan on flute, Kyliee Brooks on oboe, Brooke Franklin on clarinet and alto saxophone, Payton Kiely on tenor saxophone, Ben Hansen on baritone saxophone, Morgan Crowley, Ema Mayer and Keyan McCullough, Averi Bronnimann on drumset, Parker Stulka on guitar, Lisa Miller and Luke McMillian on keyboards 1 and 2 respectively.

Each show earned the cast and crew a well earned standing ovation.