Do siblings always get along? The national tour of Broadway’s Frozen, now at Playhouse Square’s State Theatre through September 11, offers one sparkling answer as two young sisters discover their powers and limits. This kid-friendly show, based on the 2013 Disney film, has music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. With book by Jennifer Lee and choreography by Rob Ashford, it is directed by Michael Grandage.
Set in a fictitious Nordic land populated by political families, super-intelligent reindeer, snowmen that have feelings, and mysterious magic tribes, it’s a tale about how the princesses, like all good Disney females, show their independence and spunk.
Royal sisters Elsa and Anna make a tiny snowman they name Olaf, grow up, venture from home, fall in love(ish), and deal with Elsa’s mysterious magic.
Opening night two charming sisters, Victoria Hope Chan (as Young Anna) and Natalie Grace Chan (as Young Elsa), bounced around the stage like the kids they were supposed to be (and probably are off stage as well as on). Their super-cautious royal parents, Queen Iduna (Belinda Allyn) and King Agnarr (Kyle Lamar Mitchell), tell Elsa to be careful with her special powers. But Elsa doesn’t understand what it means to be magic.
As the girls play in their bedroom, Elsa accidentally injures Anna. And as a consequence, the parents prohibit the girls from being together, isolating each in her own suite in the palace. Now each princess is left to grow up on her own without the companionship of her sister.
Next, the King and Queen set sail to find a cure (without taking Elsa with them — why not?) and thus, are conveniently (for the plot) lost at sea.
Time passes and the adult Elsa assumes royal duties. Adult Elsa (a regal Caroline Bowman) projects cool authority as the Queen. Her warm and bouncy little sister Anna (a cute Lauren Nicole Chapman) manages to snag the first eligible man she sees, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles (Ryan McCartan). Both sisters have a lot to learn.
When Elsa discovers at her coronation ball just how dangerous her superpower is to her country and loved ones (she’s a human instant-freeze machine), she self-quarantines by leaving the palace and heading to the mountains. The second Anna discovers this, she sets out (still in her ballgown) to find her. (This doesn’t make a lot of sense, but who cares?)
Anna’s journey injects humor (and life-sized puppets) into the story when she meets mountaineer Kristoff (a warm-hearted good guy played by Zach Trimmer) and his reindeer, Sven. Sven is played by dancer Collin Baja who adeptly manages to be a dancing reindeer (four legs and all!). They meet Olaf (puppeteer F. Michael Haynie), a comic and living version of the snowman Anna and Elsa created long ago.
No spoilers here, but the special effects only get better and better as the story continues and the searchers and the sought find each other.
Songs swirl, especially Elsa’s anthem, “Let It Go,” and dances flow as the large (and versatile) ensemble cast keeps the story moving. A small pit orchestra, conducted and directed by Faith Seetoo, beautifully supports the action on stage (and the sound balance was fine, not always easy in the huge State Theater).
Bottom Line: It’s Disney so yes, it’s life lessons suitable for children. (Many excited princesses in full princess garb attended opening night.) As for adults? Well, after intermission, a short segment about Hygge (roughly translates as “good feelings”) with lightly-clad dancers enjoying a sauna seems designed for older visitors (and has nothing to do with the plot — except that it’s fun).
Side Note: I was lucky enough to see the Broadway production of Frozen, with Baldwin Wallace University graduate Ciara Renée as Elsa, a few days before Broadway shut down in March 2020. This touring version includes some of the Broadway show’s special effects, but not all. Unfortunately, this reduces the impact of the production, one which depends on massive special effects to create an enchanted frozen world. I doubt its intended audience (young, first-time theater goers) and loyal Disney fans will care. Disney magic tends to conquer all.
[Written by Laura Kennelly]