Los Angeles Review: Disney's "FROZEN" at the Hollywood Pantages Warms Hearts
Jill Weinlein, Chief West Coast Theatre Critic
Since I have never seen the ‘Frozen’ movies, the only things I know about this Disney mega-hit is the award winning song ‘Let it Go.” With it’s success on Broadway, Disney Theatrical Productions is now touring ‘Frozen’ the musical, and it’s first stop is at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. It’s here for nine-weeks, over the holiday season until February 2, 2020.
The show opens with a multi-racial cast including Queen Iduna (Marina Kondo) and King Agnarr (Kyle Lamar Mitchell) and their two young daughters Elsa (Jaiden Kim during some shows and Alyssa Kim at certain performances) and Anna (Stella R. Cobbin or Arwen Manzon-Sanders at certain performances). The sisters playful banter is adorable, and within minutes Disney’s magical ‘pixie dust’ appears as the royal family’s secret is revealed. Spectacular special effects by the creative team heighten throughout the show.
Award-winning director/choreographer Rob Ashford has the cast move all over the stage starting with the beautiful and festive Maypole scene as the ensemble select colorful ribbons while engaging the audience with their professional dancing skills.
Music and lyrics by wife and husband duo, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are catchy, especially the precious song “Do You Want To Build A Snowman,” and later their new song “I Can’t Lose You.”
The show turns darker as the King and Queen seek out a hidden indigenous Norwegian tribe to save Anna, when Elsa’s super powers become too powerful. Lighting designer Natasha Katz darkens the set and the Northern nomads glowing eyes may be a little scary for children under 6 during the chanting “Vuelie” number.
As with most Disney shows, the King and Queen leave the girls while finding answers to help Elsa with her “monster” powers. They get caught in a horrid storm and never come back, leaving the girls orphaned. Ashford’s choreography during this scene was moving, as was the clever ensemble piece towards the end when Anna becomes frozen.
Award winning Director Michael Grandage keeps the show moving and entertaining, along with sparkling scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram, and video designer Finn Ross’ Northern Lights and snowfall.
The adult Elsa (Caroline Bowman known for her Broadway roles as Elphaba in Wicked and Nicola in Kinky Boots) becomes the quintessential Queen Elsa. Her sister Anna (Caroline Innerbichler) steals the scene often while playing the lovable younger sister. She has so many funny scenes as a quirky and isolated girl who blossoms at her sister’s coronation. The sisters relationship reminded me of Elphaba and Glinda in“Wicked.”
One of Anna’s many enjoyable scenes was “For the First Time in Forever” as she senses a shift in her lonely existence, singing and caressing art pieces in the hallowed castle halls. “Hans of the Southern Isles” (Austin Colby) and Innerbichler shine during their tender introduction and immediate engagement. Under a bright full moon with lovely purple wisteria framing the stage. they sing a humorous “Love is an Open Door” song that is enchantingly fun to watch.
Christopher Oram’s scenic coronation set is gorgeous with gothic windows, elaborate chandeliers and candelabras, and Innerbichler shines once again with Duke Weselton (Jeremy Morse). Both deliver their lines with brilliant comic timing, having everyone in their seats laughing and enjoying the show, especially as Anna talks Weselton out of dancing with her sister Elsa.
Puppet Designer Michael Curry brings Olaf (F. Michael Haynie) to life as this ‘little bit of Anna and a little bit of Elsa’ steals the stage as a ‘snowman with a heart’. The fetching Kristoff (Mason Reeves) wins over audience as he falls in love for the first time with Anna.
The opening night audience got up on their feet when Queen Elsa flees the kingdom after releasing her super powers again, causing the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter. While singing “Let It Go” the Disney creative team reveal more show-stopping special effects as Elsa’s gloves, cloak and coronation dress disappear before audiences eyes, and instantly she is transformed into a sparkling blue ‘bling’ gown.
Right after intermission, the show starts with a bang, with the “Hygge” song sung by the amiable Oaken (Michael Milkanin). Anna, Kristoff, and others watch the ensemble parade out of an outhouse in just towels, and later strategically placed leaves in a wonderfully choreographed Ziegfeld Follies dance style number.
The Academy Award winning writer of Walt Disney Animation Studios Frozen, Jennifer Lee offers so many clever lines in the show including Elsa saying “Conceal it, don’t feel it” and Anna “I’m not the heir, I’m just a spare.” The moral of her story is ‘The act of true love will thaw a frozen heart’ and at the end of this ‘Frozen’ musical, every audience member leaves with a heart filled with joy.
FROZEN
Showtimes: Tuesdays through Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 1pm & 6:30pm. The performance schedule will vary during Holiday weeks in December. ‘Ultimate Frozen Fan Packs,’ include a prime seat location, a souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.BroadwayInHollywood.com/Frozen or www.Ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 800-982-2787 or at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Box Office, located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard (open daily at 10am PT).
Frozen will offer a limited number of $25 tickets at every performance via a Digital Lottery. The lottery will be hosted online by Broadway Direct. For rules & regulations, and to enter the digital lottery, fans may visit www.BroadwayInHollywood.com/Lottery.
The Frozen North American tour stars Caroline Bowman as Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler as Anna, Austin Colby as Hans, F. Michael Haynie as Olaf, Mason Reeves as Kristoff, Jeremy Morse as Weselton, Collin Baja and Evan Strand alternating as Sven, Stella Cobb (Young Anna), Alyssa Kim (Young Elsa), Jaiden Klein (Young Elsa), and Arwen Monzon-Sanders (Young Anna).
Frozen also features Caelan Creaser, C.K. Edwards, Michael Everett, Berklea Going, Michael Allan Haggerty, Tyler Jimenez, Hannah Jewel Kohn, Marina Kondo, Dustin Layton, Nika Lindsay, Tatyana Lubov, Adrianna Rose Lyons, Ralph Meitzler, Kelly Methven, Michael Milkanin, Kyle Lamar Mitchell, Jessie Peltier, Naomi Rodgers, Daniel Switzer, Zach Trimmer, Brit West, and Natalie Wisdom.
Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Jennifer Lee (book), Michael Grandage (director), Rob Ashford (choreographer). Scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound design Peter Hylenski, video design Finn Ross, puppet design Michael Curry, hair design David Brian Brown, makeup design Anne Ford-Coates, and special effects design Jeremy Chernick.
Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined with Dave Metzger (orchestrations), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements), and Faith Seetoo (music director).
Frozen is recommended for ages 6 and up. All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.
Photo by Deen van Meer.