Dustin Page attended the Rhinebeck High School Drama Club’s fall performance of “Clue” and decided he wanted to be part of the fun. The sophomore will play Adam in the drama club’s performance of Disney’s musical “Freaky Friday” on March 21-23.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” he said. “At the end of the day, coming here I get to be around my friends. I get to sing, act and dance, all the things I love doing.”
“Freaky Friday” is based on a 2003 Disney family comedy film starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. In the musical, Katherine Blake and her teenage daughter Ellie are constantly arguing and decide to switch bodies and roles.
“Everything is going very well. I’m very excited for the show. Rehearsals have been fun,” said senior Rhiona Hack, who plays Katherine.
Zoe Ulrich is on stage as Ellie after being the stage manager for the fall production of “Clue.”
“Both characters have their challenges,” said the senior. “I’d say it’s easier to portray the mother. Rhiona’s job is harder because playing the daughter in the mother’s body, she has a bunch of crazy scenes.”
Josie Rourke is performing in two roles – Katherine’s assistant Torrey, and Parker’s mom.
“I feel everything is going great,” the senior said. “We’re all excited for opening night. I feel every day, we all come in ready to go and energized. I think it’s going to be a fun show.”
Elle Renaldo, director, said preparing for a musical is a longer process. Auditions for “Freaky Friday” took place before Thanksgiving, and the cast and crew is larger with 57 students.
“It’s been long, but it’s coming together. I’m really proud of the cast and crew,” she said.
She added, “We all live in households with either a spouse or child whom we don’t understand because we can’t live a day in their shoes. This show invites us to have compassion and grace for those who are closest to us in our life. It’s a lovely story. It’s fun and whacky, but it really is a touching story.”
Tickets/shows: Tickets are available for 7:30 p.m. shows on March 21 and 22, and the 2 p.m. show on March 23. Reserved seats are $15 for adults and $10 for students, teachers, staff and seniors. Visit bit.ly/RHSDramaClubTickets to purchase tickets.