‘Freaky Friday’ will be the first production back at renovated Northbrook Community Center
After an 8-month hiatus, Northbrook Theatre will reopen its doors next week to welcome the community to the upcoming production of “Freaky Friday: A New Musical.”
Theater performances had been temporarily relocated since August during the construction of the Northbrook Park District’s Northbrook Community Center, which is reopening this month as an upgraded and modern facility hosting programming for all ages.
The building’s transformation has given Northbrook Theatre incredible new tools to elevate every production they bring to this stage, Northbrook Park District Visual and Performing Arts Manager Drew Kambach said.
“From the beautifully updated dressing rooms to the expanded rehearsal spaces, our performers and creative teams will thrive in this environment for decades to come,” Kambach said. “We are so proud to reopen with 'Freaky Friday' and share this exciting new chapter with our audiences.”
Presented by Northbrook Community Theatre, “Freaky Friday: A New Musical” is based on the classic novel and film by the same name. It will be performed May 15-17 by a cast of 30 actors ranging from ages 9 to 52.
Led by the creative team of Katie Denten, David Zizic and Rhys Steele, this entertaining production centers around teenager Ellie Blake and her mother Katherine, who are horrified when they switch bodies the day before mom’s wedding. To get back to normal, Ellie and Katherine must learn to understand each other, which is easier said than done!
“Freaky Friday is a hilarious, yet empathetic, theatrical journey that will leave families with a lot to laugh, talk, and think about,” Northbrook Park District Performing Arts Supervisor Melody DeRogatis said.
Staff are thrilled to be back in the building, DeRogatis added.
“There are so many reasons to be excited about all the new amenities of the Community Center!” DeRogatis said. “For ‘Freaky Friday,’ actors will be able to enjoy our newly-renovated dressing rooms. Future casts will be able to enjoy our newly-minted rehearsal spaces and our beautiful new black box-style studio theater.”
Northbrook Theatre has presented high-quality educational and recreational programming in dance, drama and music for over 40 years.
“Freaky Friday: A New Musical” will be on stage at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 15 and May 16; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. General admission tickets are $25 and can be purchased at nbparks.org/theatre. Northbrook Theatre is at 3323 Walters Ave. in Northbrook. Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.