Original Story from the Middletown Patch
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Two Middletown teens will star in “Freaky Friday” this weekend at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park.
The teens are Rebecca Grodek, 17, and Sealth Grover, 18, from the Navesink section. You may have previously seen Grodek on stage at High School North, but this is her first major role in professional theater: She will play the star role of Ellie, the rebellious teenage girl (played by Lindsay Lohan) who swaps bodies with her overbearing mother.
Grover will play Ellie’s teenage love interest, Adam.
It’s a musical and it runs Oct. 27-29, with shows at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices are $28 for adults, $24 for students and $25 for groups; purchase tickets at the door or in advance here.
“Freaky Friday” is the hilarious family story — based on the hit Disney film — about a mother and her teenage daughter who get into an argument and their bodies are magically switched. They must make it through the day with mom at high school and the daughter preparing for a next-day wedding.
Grodek said she enjoyed the challenge of portraying two different characters, both physically and emotionally. She’s previously been in Les Misérables and The Crucible at Middletown High School North,
“What I love about Freaky Friday, aside from the score, is how real and relatable the characters are,” she said. “This has allowed me to spend time creating Ellie’s nuances and quirks. It’s hilarious to watch how they both interpret unfamiliar social settings. I think the audience will enjoy watching how Ellie and Katherine adjust to one another’s environments and how they process their new responsibilities.”
Jackie Nuzzo of East Brunswick will play the role of the mother, Katherine, memorably played by Jamie Lee Curtis in the Disney film.
Grove has quite a bit of professional acting experience under his belt: He appeared in an off-Broadway production of Camp the Musical and had a role in The Bridges of Madison County at Bucks County Playhouse and Axelrod PAC, both times sharing the stage with Broadway’s Kate Baldwin.
Sealth has also appeared in The Prom, The Addams Family, The SpongeBob Musical, Shrek and The Wizard of Oz at Axelrod. He has taken classes at APAA and performed in shows for six years and plans to pursue a career in the theater.
“The classes and shows have been amazing,” he said. “Axelrod brings in Broadway professionals, choreographers and directors, so learning from them has been very beneficial.”
Grodek previously received the Basie Award from the Count Basie, which recognizes talented youth in Monmouth County. She plans to pursue a career in musical theater.
“It’s been nothing but incredible,” said the Middletown young woman. “The cast, creative team and crew behind this production have been working so hard to bring the heartwarming and hilarious story of a mother and daughter switch-up to life!”
Performances are Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 & 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Ave. in Deal Park, just five minutes from downtown Asbury Park, with plenty of free parking. Tickets are $24 to $28. For more information, call 732-531-9106, ext. 14 or visit www.axelrodartscenter.com