Cast Set for Disney’s Freaky Friday Musical

Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday” stage production) and Cozi Zuehlsdorff (Dolphin Tale, Liv and Maddie) have come on board to star in Disney Channel’s musical update of Freaky Friday from director and executive producer Steve Carr (Daddy Daycare).

The contemporary musical update is based on Disney Theatrical Productions’ stage adaptation of the novel by Mary Rodgers and Disney’s feature films of the same name. Freaky Friday is expected to begin production this fall for a 2018 debut as part of the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise. Blickenstaff will reprise her role of Katherine from the “Freaky Friday” stage show, while Zuehlsdorff will play Ellie.

Among the additional cast members are newcomer Ricky He, Alex Désert Jason Maybaum, Kahyun Kim, Dara R. Moss, Jennifer LaPorte, Isaiah Lehtinen and Sarah Willey. The teleplay was written by Bridget Carpenter, who also wrote the book for the stage musical. Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, who penned the music and lyrics for the stage version, are also on board the movie. Emmy nominee David Lawrence will compose the score. Susan Cartsonis and Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, are executive producing.

“A classic story like Freaky Friday has a magical capacity to engage multiple generations—whether it’s in the form of a book, a theatrical film, a stage show—or all of the above!” said Gary Marsh, the president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide. “Working with our partners at Disney Live Theatrical, we’re thrilled to bring this classic story to life in a whole new form—a music-driven movie for television—that will be enjoyed by tens of millions of kids and families around the world.”