A Blizzard of Talent and Spectacle

Frozen

At the top of this gorgeous, jaw-dropping and heartwarming production, we meet two likable little girls. They’re sisters, growing up as princesses in the beautiful Scandinavian palace of Arendelle. Elsa, the eldest, learns as a child that she possesses the magical power to freeze people and objects, and to also create mountains of ice and snow. Anna, her lovingly devoted younger sister, is delighted by Elsa’s powers, but the magic proves to be dangerous when left uncontrolled. Their parents, the King and Queen, try to protect the two children by keeping this magic power a secret and making Elsa promise to wear gloves all the time. In this way, they try to prevent Elsa’s magic powers from accidentally causing anyone harm, but because kids will be kids, the parents can only control their children so much.

After the King and Queen are tragically lost at sea, Elsa, the eldest daughter, inherits the throne. After her protective gloves are removed at Elsa’s coronation, she unintentionally causes their entire kingdom to become frozen. The castle turns into an ice palace and an eternal winter immediately plagues the land. Elsa almost accidentally kills Anna, her beloved younger sister, and so she banishes herself, running off into the snowy wilderness.

The remainder of the story focuses on how Anna tries to rescue and reunite with her sister. Kristoff a handsome, adventurous young peasant, and his lovable pet reindeer, Sven, finds Anna and endeavors to help. She also comes across Olaf, a lovable talking snowman who likes “warm hugs,” and also lends his assistance. Together the foursome set off through the wintery world to find Elsa and convince her that, despite everything that’s happened, Anna still loves and supports her much-adored sister. Complications arise but, by the final scene, the villains have been vanquished and love conquers all.

Disney’s FROZEN, the Broadway Musical, features a book by Jennifer Lee, loosely adapted from Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen.” The score offers 20 songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The show originally opened on Broadway in 2018. Ticket sales were outstanding, but then, in March of 2020, the pandemic shut down theatres everywhere. When the Great White Way finally reopened, Disney Theatricals decided not to bring FROZEN back. They felt it would be too difficult to run three musicals on Broadway so, instead, a National Tour was developed. But here we are in 2024, with one of the first regional productions of this lavish musical opening in Chicagoland. The Midwest Premiere of Disney’s FROZEN, is a must-see event, and it’s just in time for the holidays.

Almost every little girl who has ever seen the 2013 animated Disney film—and there are thousands of them—probably owns an Elsa or Anna costume and knows all the words to the movie’s powerhouse ballad, “Let It Go.” The story, much like the plot and characters of WICKED, is moving tale of strong female friendship and empowerment in a world largely run by men. And Paramount’s powerful and positive, family-friendly holiday production beautifully presents this tale through a blizzard of talent and spectacle.

There’s absolutely no denying that this musical is both emotive and entertaining. The score features whimsical songs like “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” “Reindeer Are Better Than People,” “In Summer” and “Hygge;” as well as powerful ballads, like “For the First Time in Forever,” “I Can’t Lose You,” “Monster” and, of course, the show’s anthem, “Let It Go.” The story is heartwarming, especially in depicting the deep relationship between the two sisters. It also features the sometimes humorous bond that develops into a true love between Kristoff and Anna.

This is Jeff Award-winning Trent Stork’s 25th production at Paramount. The Theatre’s master Director once again impresses with their unlimited creativity and an ability to stage and guide another large cast of actors. Teaming up with talented Musical Director and Conductor Kory Danielson and gifted Choreographer Tiffany Krause, this triumvirate creates a spectacular masterpiece for audiences of all ages. The sprawling tale is kept in constant motion, while never losing focus of its two lead characters that everyone has come to see.

 Emily Kristen Morris (Elphaba standby in the National Tour of WICKED), who gives an astounding portrayal of Elsa, and Beth Stafford Laird (Belle in Paramount’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), who portrays a dear and wonderfully winsome Anna, are both outstanding in their star-turning roles. The chemistry between these two sisters is honest, impassioned and absolutely heartwarming. Both of these actresses have gorgeous, clarion voices that fill the Paramount Theatre. In addition, each actress moves like trained dancer (which they probably are, based on their program biographies) and they both create charmingly realistic, likable characters. That’s particularly important in this show, because the audience is largely children who need to be able to relate to these characters.

Over 25 marvelous supporting actors comprise this talented company. Making his auspicious Paramount debut, Christian Andrews is dashing and charming as Kristoff, a real leading man who can hold his own in the midst of so much Girl Power. The physically strenuous role of Sven, Kristoff’s lovable reindeer companion, is played by the always excellent and multitalented Adam Fane (last seen in Paramount’s THE FULL MONTY). The gifted Ryan Stajmiger (remembered from Paramount’s INTO THE WOODS) is wonderfully humorous, sweet and cuddly as Olaf the Snowman. His musical ode to the Summer is lots of fun. Jake DiMaggio Lopez (terrific as Henry in Paramount’s NEXT TO NORMAL) makes a handsome Prince Hans. His character is funny and a little dorky when we first meet him, but he eventually shows his true colors in Act II. 

Jason Richards is a favorite Chicago character actor who’s been enjoyed in dozens of productions, from Music Theater Works’ LA CAGE AUX FOLLES to Paramount’s delightful THE PRODUCERS. Here he plays the smarmy and preposterous  Weselton. Hilarious David Blakeman (Augustus Gloop in Paramount’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) opens Act II as Oaken, the pushy proprietor of a rural general store and sauna. Lovely, talented Allison Sill and handsome, powerful vocalist Brian Hupp (temporarily stepping in for an injured Jonah Winston) nicely play the Queen and King of Arendelle. The two sets of child actresses who alternate playing the two young princesses are superb. Opening night, Young Elsa was beautifully portrayed by the sparkling Genevieve Jane, while hilarous Avelyn Choi enthusiastically and joyfully played Young Anna. At alternate performances, the sisters are played by real-life siblings, Elowen and Everleigh Murphy.

But in addition to the lovely music and the terrific performances, this musical shines in its technical achievements. The extraordinary, jaw-dropping Scenic, Lighting, Sound and Projection Designs have been created by Jeffrey D. Kmiec, Greg Hofmann, Adam Rosenthal and Paul Deziel, respectively. Together this gifted creative team work so closely and seamlessly that their achievements become one, and are nothing short of fantastic. Costume Designer extraordinaire, Mara Blumenfeld, has outdone herself with this production. Not only has she produced hundreds of different spectacular costumes for each actor/character, they’re made even more beautiful by Katie Cordts’ ever-changing Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designs. Elsa has one particular fast change that is absolutely magical and produces a gasp from the whole audience. The outstanding and astonishing Special Effects in this production are all incredible, from the Northern Lights to the blizzard that blows snow everywhere, falling both onstage and into the audience. And not to be overlooked, Puppet Designer Jesse Mooney-Bullock has crafted Sven, a life-size Reindeer, and Olaf, the jolly little Snowman that’s assembled right on stage. These two ingenious characters seem so real and lifelike that we totally forget that there’s a human being operating them.

Paramount Theatre has once again outdone itself with their production of FROZEN. This is a big, splashy musical fairy tale with so much to recommend it. A heartwarming story, directed by master theatre artist Trent Stork, and told by an excellent and hard-working company of triple-threats, makes this professional production a gem. As bright, shiny and polished as ice, Paramount’s production is, ironically, a warm and wonderful story for theatergoers of all ages. The production not only glistens with girl power, this lavish musical features dozens of unbelievable magical special effects that add up to a blizzard of talent and spectacle. If at all possible, do not miss this breathtaking holiday event!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 30-January 19 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount Theatre box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.