Ginger Twinsies: A Hilarious Off-Broadway Parody Inspired by The Parent Trap Debuts Exclusively
Here’s the latest scoop: The Parent Trap is in for an exciting transformation!
Over 25 years since Lindsay Lohan’s Hallie and Annie first met at summer camp and exchanged lives, the cherished 1998 film directed by Nancy Meyers is being reimagined as a new stage play.
Entitled Ginger Twinsies, the production serves as a parody rather than an official adaptation, as humorously noted in its marketing. Written and directed by comedian Kevin Zak, who has been recognized by the Lucille Lortel Awards, the play will make its world premiere Off-Broadway this summer at the Orpheum Theatre.
Previews are set to begin on July 10, leading up to an opening night on July 24. The comedy will run for a limited engagement of 16 weeks, concluding on October 26.
The production will be brought to life by Preston Whiteway (O’Neill Theater Center), Tony Award winner Jenny Steingart (co-founder of Ars Nova), and Mandy Hackett (Public Theater). It is described as “a loving, outrageous, and wildly inappropriate homage to the classic that made us all believe Oreos pair perfectly with peanut butter, wedding gowns can sport top hats, and that being young and beautiful is not a crime.”
“So, pack your bags!” reads a recent release. “Kevin Zak invites you to enjoy this 80-minute Parent Trap parody brimming with nostalgia, camp (they literally go camping), and some surprising twists.”
First released in July 1998, The Parent Trap follows the story of identical twins Hallie and Annie, who were separated at birth, accidentally reunite at summer camp, and decide to swap places to bring their unaware parents back together.
At just 12 years old, Lohan portrayed both Hallie and Annie, earning acclaim for her remarkable dual performance. The film’s success catapulted her into fame and opened doors for roles in movies such as Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.
The cast also included Dennis Quaid as the girls’ father, Nick Parker, and the late Natasha Richardson as their stylish British mother, Elizabeth James. Lisa Ann Walter and Simon Kunz played the endearing family housekeepers-turned-matchmakers, Chessy and Martin, while Elaine Hendrix portrayed the cunning Meredith Blake, Nick’s girlfriend chasing after his wealth.
The film was well-received, becoming a box office success with over $92 million in global earnings. Over time, it has evolved into a nostalgic favorite for millennial viewers and often ranks among Disney’s finest live-action remakes.
Although no official sequel has been made, Meyers and the cast have frequently shared their affection for the film in various interviews. In 2020, they participated in a virtual table read and discussion, reminiscing about filming and celebrating Lohan’s impressive debut. Meyers has also expressed an interest in potentially revisiting the story, although no concrete plans have been established.
The original Parent Trap, released in 1961 and starring Hayley Mills in the double roles of Susan and Sharon, was directed by David Swift and based on the German novel Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kästner. It quickly became a hit for Disney, leading to three made-for-TV sequels in the ’80s and earning two Academy Award nominations in 1962 for Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
Tickets for Ginger Twinsies will go on sale Monday, May 5, at 10 a.m. ET, with casting announcements to follow.
