Neptune Theatre’s production of Disney’s Frozen, directed by Jeremy Webb with musical direction by Paul De Gurse, opened on Nov. 7 and has been extended through Jan. 26 following its overwhelming success.
The musical incorporates many of the film’s beloved songs including “Let it Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from the original Frozen (2013) film, along with several original songs. The plot of production stays true to the film and incorporates the special effects to bring the show to life. In addition, this show is a sing-along, allowing audiences to join in to their favourite songs and be a part of the show.
Bringing the film to life
Disney’s Frozen is a detailed film that uses special effects and animated scenery to emulate a magical feeling during the film. It’s a somewhat difficult film to translate from screen to stage because of the inclusion of several non-human animated characters. This includes Olaf, a snowman; Sven, a reindeer; and the family of trolls. Bringing Elsa’s magical powers and creations to life on stage also presented a unique challenge.
Despite these elements, the producers did an incredible job bringing the love and magic from the film to life. Olaf and Sven are brought to life using life-sized puppets. Adam Francis Proulx and Darren Burkett, who play Olaf and Sven, respectively, are attached to these puppets in a way that does not take away from the magic of the creatures. They do an incredible job at animating the emotion and comedic effect of these characters on the stage.
The other non-human creatures brought to the stage are the trolls. Despite the fact that it’s impossible to turn humans into trolls, the performers’ costumes and personalities remain true to the film. The choreography and character expressions vividly convey the warmth and happiness of the trolls portrayed in the film. Notably, Pabbie, the troll king, demonstrates his magical healing powers through dance and song in a way that feels even more impactful than the film.
Most impressive is how the musical showcases Elsa’s extraordinary powers. Using a translucent screen, the audience can see both the actors and the display of Elsa’s powers, seamlessly creating the illusion of her magical abilities.
In addition to the use of the screen, the background displays chosen were perfect for recreating the iconic movie scenes fans know and love. The production includes key locations from Frozen including the village of Arendelle, inside the castle bedrooms, Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Sauna and Elsa’s sparkling ice castle. These four main sets capture the essence of some of the film’s most iconic scenes. Designed with creativity and functionality, the sets allow the actors to move, dance and perform with dynamic energy.
Strong vocal and acting performances
Lastly, the choreography and singing are both incredible, encompassing the passion and expression needed to convey the warmth and magic of Disney’s Frozen. The blend of songs from the Frozen film soundtrack and original compositions created for the production helped support transitions between scenes and enhanced dramatic effect. The production’s musical pieces were created and adapted by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and passionately performed by the show’s actors. Notably, Proulx and Kaleigh Gorka, who play Olaf and Elsa, respectively, stole the show with their vocal performances. Both actors possess great vocal control, perfectly capturing the voices of the film’s actors. Their performances further enhanced the magic and authenticity of the show.
The casting for this musical could not have been more perfect, with each actor skillfully embodying their character and captivating the audience. Specifically, Synthia Yusuf as Anna and Jeff Schwager as Weselton embody their roles so convincingly that they feel like the living essence of these characters. Yusuf highlights the awkward, quirky personality of Anna, portraying her comedic character traits with facial expressions, movement and engagement with the audience. Schwager brings Weselton’s pretentious and arrogant character to life through an exaggerated performance that captures his distinctive voice, unlikeable demeanor and comedic personality.
Overall, this production is a heartwarming watch, especially for longtime Frozen fans. It rekindles the magic and wonder we first felt as children, allowing us to relive memories while introducing the story to a new generation.
Recent Comments