Merivale's production of Freaky Friday captivates audience | Cappies

Gretchen played by Eileen Takayesu (L), Ellie played by Adelice Sinn (M), Hannah played by Serene Summers (R), during Merivale High School's Cappies production of Freaky Friday, held on April 15, 2026. Photo by Enzo Zarth Molon /Student

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Show #14

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Merivale High School

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Freaky Friday

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Director: Natalie Simard

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Dwijaa Vyas, Critic
Maplewood Secondary School

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Struggling to find common ground, mother and daughter Katherine and Ellie Blake face their differences in Merivale High School’s adept production of Freaky Friday. The Merivale cast and crew captivated the audience with moving, skillful acting enriched by their live orchestra, purposeful props, versatile facial expressions, and harmony in voices.

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A theatrical interpretation of the children’s novel written by Mary Rodgers in 1972, as well as Disney’s film adaptations, this enthralling musical follows single mother Katherine Blake who is preparing for her upcoming wedding and her teenage daughter Ellie. After these two magically switch bodies during a heated argument, they are forced to live each other’s lives and gain mutual understanding to save their straining relationship. Put together masterly by Merivale High School with moving music, effortless sets, and dimensional characters, Freaky Friday explores poignant themes such as family, empathy, and even magic, as they discover that sometimes, maybe all you really need is to see the world through that person’s eyes— quite literally too!

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Victoria Manoli-Zolotov’s performance of Katherine Blake was touching and simply phenomenal. Her airy, graceful voice stole the audience’s hearts, but also showcased her wide-ranged singing abilities. Furthermore, her body language and movements were intentional, each conveying a subconscious message from the character she was portraying. Manoli-Zolotov adapted masterfully when her character switched bodies with her daughter, and adjusted her movements accordingly. Her graceful, fluid movements transformed into a slouched posture, and her articulate, formal speech became slang while silently expressing a deep desire to be loved and understood.

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Katherine played by Victoria Manoli-Zolotov (Top), and Fletcher played by Sarah Parkin (Bottom) Photo by Enzo Zarth Molon /Student

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Vindi Wijeratne delivered a natural, warm performance of Katherine’s soon-to-be husband Mike. Her articulation, expressions and body language showed how she had embraced Mike’s warm and patient, if not awkward, persona proficiently. Moreover, Wijeratne’s vocals in her solo, “Vows”, showed her immense talent in maintaining proper notes. Her pitch and the emotion behind it translated Mike’s deep love for Katherine and excitement for the wedding. It is also important to note that Vindi played the opposite gender, and did so with extreme skill, shifting her voice to a lower, deeper tone. This was a meritorious feat, further reflecting her versatility in not just singing, but also acting.

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Out of the spotlight— but just as deserving of it— the light operator managed lighting cues finely, shedding light on the gravity or comedy of scenes. This was a rather praiseworthy element of the production, considering how well-timed the execution of the cues were.

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All in all, Merivale High School put up a lovely, heart-touching rendition of Freaky Friday accompanied by graceful acting, vivid facial expressions, and great lighting. This theatrical piece proved that maybe empathy really does mean walking a mile in someone else’s shoes— or heels!

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Lauren Shaikh, Lead Critic
St. Paul High School

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Chaos, comedy, and a touch of magic took over the stage as Merivale High School brought Freaky Friday to life, blending high-energy musical numbers with a heartfelt story about empathy and understanding. With its fast-paced humour and emotional core, the production captured the spirit of transformation, both literal and personal.

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The story follows Ellie Blake, a frustrated teenager struggling to be understood, and her mother Katherine, a career-driven woman juggling responsibilities and expectations. After a heated argument, the two mysteriously switch bodies, forcing each to navigate the other’s daily life. Ellie must manage adult pressures, work obligations, and relationships, while Katherine faces the social and academic challenges of high school. As the chaos unfolds, both are pushed to see life from a new perspective, ultimately learning to appreciate each other’s struggles and rebuild their relationship with greater compassion and respect.

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This emotional journey was led with control and clarity by Adelice Sinn as Ellie Blake and Victoria Manoli-Zolotov as Katherine Blake. As Ellie, Sinn captured teenage frustration through energetic movement, sharp delivery, and expressive reactions that established the character’s perspective. In contrast, Manoli-Zolotov’s Katherine maintained a composed and grounded presence, using measured physicality and calm authority to reflect adult responsibility. Following the body swap, both actresses skillfully adjusted their posture and vocal inflection to embody one another, creating a believable and often humorous contrast. This shift was further strengthened through their musical performances, as each took on the other character’s emotional journey. Ellie’s “No More Fear” revealed vulnerability and growth through a demanding ballad blending belting with softer moments, while Katherine’s “After All of This and Everything” combined sustained vocal power with emotional acting that conveyed her internal struggle. Their dedication to the transformation remained consistent throughout, and their growing emotional connection was evident in both dialogue and song, leading to a resolution that felt genuine and earned.

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Mr. O’Brien played by Nicolas Vranas Photo by Enzo Zarth Molon /Student

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The supporting cast added depth throughout the performance. Cameron Downey, as Adam, brought a relaxed confidence to the stage, pairing easy physicality with expressive vocals. His performance of “Women and Sandwiches” was delivered with charm and humour while maintaining tone and musical control, adding personality and sincerity to the character. As Torrey, the uptight personal assistant, Sophie Jane Miller demonstrated comedic instincts, using precise timing to land each moment effectively. A particularly memorable line was her dramatic exclamation about how she would “kill her kid” while searching for Fletcher, which reinforced the character’s frantic energy. Savannah, portrayed by Aster Skitch, embraced the role of the mean girl with bold character choices, using exaggerated movement and confident body language to establish their presence on stage. Their energy and distinct attitude, paired with solid vocals, helped define the school’s social dynamics.

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The technical elements worked cohesively to support the fast-moving production. Choreography by Duncan Griswold was creative and purposeful, featuring clean formation changes and effective use of props that enhanced storytelling without overcrowding the stage. The musical numbers were dynamic and well-structured, allowing performers to remain vocally strong while executing movement. The orchestra provided a steady and energetic foundation, supporting the cast with balanced sound and clear musical direction. Behind the scenes, the stage manager and crew ensured smooth transitions and precise cues, maintaining consistent pacing throughout.

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Through committed performances, musical execution, and thoughtful technical design, Merivale High School’s Freaky Friday delivered an engaging production that highlighted both the challenges and rewards of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.

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Paige Hall, Critic
St. Mark High School

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Amid chaos, comedy, and unexpected transformation, Merivale High School brought Freaky Friday to life, exploring empathy, identity, and the complexities of family relationships. The musical follows Adelice Sinn who portrayed Ellie Blake, a teenager navigating the struggles of high school, while coping with the loss of her father, and Victoria Manoli-Zolotov who portrayed Katherine Blake, a mother who balances the preparation of marriage and the strains on the bond with her daughter. After a heated argument, the two magically swap bodies, forcing each to step into the other’s world. As Ellie and Katherine attempt to manage unfamiliar responsibilities, they begin to understand one another in ways they never had before, uncovering the importance of compassion, communication and unconditional support.

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Adelice Sinn delivered a beautiful performance as Ellie, capturing both the character’s frustration and emotional vulnerability with clarity and depth. Opposite, Victoria Manoli-Zolotov brought the warmth of a mother’s love, as well as strict parental control to the role of Katherine, balancing tense moments with genuine emotion towards her daughter. Together, their performances created a believable and engaging dynamic that anchored the production. Furthermore, Cameron Downey stood out as Adam, bringing a natural charm and humour that made each appearance memorable, while Sophie Jane Miller added the perfect dedicated yet overwhelmed emotions to the role of Torrey. Nicholas Vranas contributed strong character work and humour as the school’s Spanish teacher Señor O’Brien, and Ella Mersereau demonstrated impressive versatility across multiple roles, with a particularly animated and engaging presence as the intense gym teacher.

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Grandpa Gordon played by Cameron Baas (L), and Grandma Helene played by Ella Mersereau Photo by Enzo Zarth Molon /Student

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Supporting the performances, the production’s creative elements added depth and dimension to every moment. Hyperrealistic set pieces and detailed painted backdrops created a visually engaging environment, while smooth and efficient transitions allowed the story to flow seamlessly from scene to scene. The use of over 120 lighting cues shaped the mood and enhanced the emotional moments within the story. Additionally, the 14 member band provided strong musical support, contributing to the show’s immersive and lively atmosphere.

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Music and choreography further played a significant role in bringing the entire production to life. The variety of student-choreographed numbers added energy, with “Watch Your Back” standing out for its dynamic staging and movement. Musical highlights such as “Just One Day” showcased strong ensemble work, while overlapping vocal lines and well-executed duets demonstrated a high level of coordination and musicality across the cast.

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Through engaging performances, detailed technical design, and a clear commitment to storytelling, Freaky Friday captured both the humour and heart of its story. By highlighting the challenges and connections between parents and children, the production left a lasting impression, emphasizing the value of understanding and communication.

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Victoria Barfoot, Critic
St. Mark High School

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With energy, humour, and heart, Merivale High School’s Freaky Friday production was nothing short of lively, emotional fun. The combined elements of talented singing and compelling acting brought the show to life, telling a story that felt surprisingly relatable while maintaining a fast-paced, engaging rhythm throughout.

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Based on the classic story, Freaky Friday follows the strained relationship between a mother and daughter who magically swap bodies during an argument. They are forced to live as each other for the day, revealing each other’s insecurities, struggles, and responsibilities. What unfolds is a journey of empathy and growth, supported by catchy songs and heartfelt moments that resonate with all ages.

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Adam played by Cameron Downey (M), and the cast of Freaky Friday. Photo by Enzo Zarth Molon /Student

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A standout performance came from Adelice Sinn, whose performance of Ellie Blake was nothing short of captivating. Sinn brought vibrant authenticity to the rebellious teenager, perfectly capturing her frustrations and vulnerabilities. After the body swap, she demonstrated impressive range, convincingly embodying the composed and mature personality of the mother. Her acting was dynamic and grounded, making both characters distinct and believable. Vocally, she demonstrated exceptional control and clarity. Adelice Sinn’s voice carried both power and emotion, delivering each song with confidence and intention.

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Equally impressive was Victoria Manoli-Zolotov, whose performance showcased remarkable attention to detail. Through subtle mannerisms and physical choices, her transition between mother and daughter was seamless. She maintained consistency and authenticity throughout, making the performance both engaging and convincing. She showed great vocal control as well, showing skill with each note sung. Manoli-Zolotov demonstrated musical precision, performing each song with emotion and character.

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Overall, Freaky Friday delivered a polished and entertaining production that balanced humour and emotion. The show demonstrated the importance of empathy and understanding in relationships, leaving behind a meaningful takeaway. Through strong performances, expressive vocals, and cohesive storytelling, this production succeeded in creating an experience that was both enjoyable and meaningful.

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Kaylee McNaule, Critic
St. Mother Teresa High School

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Overworked and soon-to-be-wed mom, Katherine Blake, finds herself switching bodies with her teenage daughter after an accidental magic hourglass mix-up. This heralding story of a mother and daughter was materialised to the stage through Merivale High School’s musical production of Freaky Friday by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, along with creative additions to the narrative.

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The musical highlights the realistically arduous relationship between mother and daughter. As Ellie Blake finds herself in her mother’s body, she must tackle wedding catering while needing to impress a reporter to gladden her mom’s business. Meanwhile Katherine navigates her daughter’s slippery teenage social life. This performance differentiates the two sides of a family affinity, and was meaningfully executed by the performers.

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From left to right: Pastor Bruno played by Evan Dawson, Gretchen’s Mom played by Rachel Ponton, Parker played by Nameera Farzin, Katherine played by Victoria Manoli-Zolotov, Ellie played by Adelice Sinn, and Parker’s Dad played by Nicolas Vranas. Photo by Enzo Zarth Molon /Student

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Spotlights, a live orchestra, and the emotional delivery of actors really brought Freaky Friday to life, drawing the audience’s attention to the stage at all times with the incredibly immersive experience. The show experienced zero to no notable technical struggles; each piece of equipment was used to the best of its ability. Ensemble cast members were filled with energy in their performance of their characters, delivering an almost cartoony view on common archetypes. List Master Adam, in particular, fit this formula when his theme-song riff played every time the high school sweetheart came on stage.

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Victoria Manoli-Zolotov as Katherine Blake takes the cake when it comes to playing the role of a stressed mother and tantalizingly brazen teenager. Manoli-Zolotov’s acting truly delivered her performance through the many musical numbers. All of her lines and mannerisms were well put together and characterized. Adelice Sinn, playing Ellie Blake, certainly carried her weight, such as in the song “Oh Biology” where the distasteful feeling of love really shone through Sinn’s compelling voice.

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Torrey, played by Sophie Jane Miller, shone on stage. Even while performing in the role of an assistant, Sophie gave Torrey a very recognizable personality as the perfect assistant, who slowly breaks down over the course of the show. Cameron Downey, as Adam, emphasized the teenage comedic and popular high school persona. While Vindi Wijeratne, playing Mike, pushed forward the personality and worries of a loyal and patient husband-to-be. Every member in the cast brought their own light to the performance, making the whole show entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

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Music was done by the live orchestra made up of students, as well as sound effects managed by sound crew, cued on time without delay. The large spotlight did an excellent job at soloing out the leads when needed, following the characters in their development all while underlining their performances. Coloured lights were effectively used in the more magical and emotionally compelling sequences, popping out and drawing the audience’s attention back to the stage. The lights and sound together immersed the experience, with complex arrangements working along with the complex sentiments of each scene.

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Overall Merivale High School’s execution of Freaky Friday excelled in the hard work and dedication put into it. Every funny moment and heartening segment was deserving of a round of applause.

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About the reviews:

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The Merivale High School production was reviewed by 35 critics representing 10 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Kaytlyn Zaremba of St. Mother Teresa High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Erin Wilson also of St. Mother Teresa High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

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Next review: West Carleton Secondary School’s production of The Tortoise and The Hare: Blood and Glory.

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About the Cappies:

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The Citizen and 21 local high schools are participating in Cappies, a Washington, D.C. based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and three private schools have also joined. The Canada’s Capital Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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