{"id":361002,"date":"2024-10-29T15:32:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T19:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=361002"},"modified":"2024-10-29T15:32:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T19:32:15","slug":"disneys-frozen-musical-melts-hearts-at-olney-theatre-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/10\/29\/disneys-frozen-musical-melts-hearts-at-olney-theatre-center\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Disney\u2019s Frozen’ musical melts hearts at Olney Theatre Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

The technology involved with Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/em> now playing on the Roberts Mainstage at Olney Theatre Center threatens to steal the show, but a young, talented cast \u2014 many of whom are from the DMV \u2014 demands equal billing.<\/p>\n

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez wrote the music and lyrics for the musical, which is based on the book by Jennifer Lee. Director Alan Muraoka said he wanted to balance keeping film moments intact while finding new ideas and making this production authentic. The musical looks excellent.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Gabriela Hernandez as Elsa in Olney Theatre’s production of \u2018Disney’s Frozen.\u2019 Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Screens around the stage allow for various weather effects and mood changes. One of my favorites was the trade store and spa that Anna (Alex De Bard) and Kristoff (Ricky Devon Hall) discover on their way to encounter the ice queen. It was on Snow Mountain near the Ice Palace.<\/p>\n

Stage manager Ben Walsh uses counter-spinning disks center stage to create a magical travel effect. Roll-in, roll-off sets, lighting, and sound effects are utilized superbly.<\/p>\n

Elsa (Gabriela Hernandez) and De Bard are remarkable in the lead roles. The packed house went wild as Hernandez closed Act I with an emotional \u201cLet It Go.\u201d By this point in the story, Elsa is embracing her evil side so the song is a bad-girl anthem. Another highlight for Hernandez is her rendition of \u201cDangerous to Dream\u201d in which she is joined by the ensemble.<\/p>\n

Hernandez, De Bard, and the ensemble are terrific in \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d preparing for Elsa\u2019s coronation. Anna is elated to have the castle opened for the first time in years, while Elsa is afraid her magical powers will be revealed in a negative way.<\/p>\n

\"\"
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Ricky Devon Hall as Kristoff; Kennedy Kanagawa as the puppeteer and voice of Olaf; Noah Israel as Hans and Alex De Bard as Anna, in Olney Theatre’s Production of \u2018Disney’s Frozen.\u2019 Photos by Teresa Castracane Photography.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anna thinks she is in love with Hans (Noah Israel), who is the first man she has ever fallen fall for, literally, in the ceremony. Their duet \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d sets the stage for a prosperous future.<\/p>\n

Kristoff\u00a0has a close relationship with Sven (Alex Mills), his reindeer. Kristoff\u2019s \u201cReindeer Are Better Than People\u201d adds a new dimension to the musical. Next, Anna and Kristoff square off in \u201cWhat Do You Know About Love?\u201d This establishes another subplot.<\/p>\n

My favorite scene opens Act II when Kristoff, Anna, and Olaf (Kennedy Kanagawa) find Oaken\u2019s (Jamie Smithson) Trading Post near the Ice Castle. Oaken\u2019s family and friends are in and out of the spa singing and dancing to an enthusiastic \u201cHygge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendra Rai is the costume designer. Oaken is a tall man dressed in shorts like an Alps volksmarcher. Director Alan Muraoka has Smithson wave to the audience and get different sections to applaud louder than the one before it.<\/p>\n

Smithson\u2019s comic appeal is wonderful. De Bard also stands out in this scene as her character, who is searching for her sister, gets sidetracked and wants to party at the spa.<\/p>\n

When Anna is once again hurt by Elsa\u2019s magic, Kristoff rushes her off to the only place he thinks she can be healed \u2014 his tribe. Kristoff\u2019s parents, Bulda (Crystal Freeman) and Pabbie (Tyler Dobies), recognize young love and try to convince the pair with \u201cFixer Upper.\u201d De Bard and Hall share a fantastic dance scene that is only a few seconds long before Anna\u2019s ice heart cuts things short. (Christopher Youstra conducts a nine-piece orchestra that performs 25 numbers from a pit beneath the stage. .)<\/p>\n

Whether dressing characters for formal balls, a spa, or an isolated tribe or as the 13th son of a small Isle kingdom to the South, Rai\u2019s designs were perfect. Walsh kept the stage changes moving fluidly, keeping the audience invested.<\/p>\n

Running time: One hour and 45 minutes with a 25-minute intermission.<\/p>\n

Running Time: Approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including an intermission.<\/p>\n

Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/a><\/strong><\/em> plays through January 5, 2025, at Olney Theatre Center, Roberts Mainstage, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD. Tickets ($41\u2013125) are available online<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>or through the box office at 301-924-3400, open from 12 pm \u2013 6 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, military, and students (for details click here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The cast and creative credits for Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/em> are available here<\/a> (scroll down).<\/p>\n

This production includes the use of haze, fog, imitation snow, and strobe effects. GalaPro captions are available on one\u2019s personal digital device.<\/p>\n

Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em>
\nMusic and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez
\nBook by Jennifer Lee
\nOriginally directed on Broadway by Michael Grandage
\nBased on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
\nOriginally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions
\nMusic Directed by Christopher Youstra
\nChoreography by Kelly Crandall d\u2019Amboise
\nDirected by Alan Muraoka<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The audience went wild as Elsa (Gabriela Hernandez) closed Act I with an emotional ‘Let It Go.’ By ANDY ARNOLD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":361036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-361002","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n'Disney\u2019s Frozen' musical melts hearts at Olney Theatre Center - 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