Frozen, the latest production in the Disney Theatricals series, makes its OKC tour stop this month.
An expanded version of the popular animated movie musical from 2013 adapted for the stage by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez and the movie’s original writer Jennifer Lee, Frozen features all the characters and songs you know and love plus 12 new songs written for the stage.
The movie was a hit for families and created one of those iconic Disney songs you can’t get out of your head. The movie voice-starred Broadway alum Idina Menzel as Elsa and Kristen Bell as Anna.
Part of the popularity of Frozen stems from the fact that Disney finally dispensed with the fairytale romance trope, instead telling the familial love story of Elsa and Anna, two sisters and damsels who need no rescuing. They save each other in times of distress and are each other’s true love. Frozen paved the way for more individualist Disney leads, and Disney has never looked back. Since Elsa and Anna, Disney movies have featured strong young female and male leads like Moana, Mirabelle in Encanto, and Miguel in Coco.
Frozen is a love letter to the beauty and mystery of Norway. Elsa is queen and Anna is her curious, yet lonely, younger sister. Together they reign as royalty in the mountainous Norwegian-esque kingdom of Arendelle. Cursed with magical powers she can’t understand or control, Elsa is forced to hide away from everyone, including her beloved younger sister. When Elsa is crowned as queen, she accidentally unleashes a boundless winter on her kingdom and flees to protect herself and her home. Finally, it’s Anna’s turn to save her sister, and she brings along a merry band of magical Disney creations, including a talking snowman and an opinionated reindeer.
The Broadway production ran from 2018 through 2020, and the tour launched in late 2019 before the pandemic prompted its hiatus.
Fans of Disney know that the famous family production company spares no expense, and the show features a dazzling array of costumes, scenery, and special effects. The fabrics and trims used to create the costumes are sourced from 17 different countries and Elsa’s ice dress features over 10,000 sparkling crystals. The show also features a subtle snowflake motif that’s repeated in costumes and scenery and more than 150 costumes, 48 flowers and grasses, and 71 ribbons and garlands.
This family-friendly tale features crowd favorite characters from the movie, including Olaf and Sven. Olaf is a magical snowman that Elsa creates, and Sven is the world’s sassiest reindeer. Both characters appeal to audiences of all ages, and Sven has an intricate and engaging presentation on stage. Fans of the movie can expect to hear familiar songs from Olaf and Anna, as well as the iconic showstopper “Let It Go,” which has been revitalized and is now even bigger and more sumptuous on stage.
The touring production of Frozen stars Caroline Bowman as Elsa, Lauren Nicole Chapman as Anna, and Dominic Dorset as Kristoff. Michael Grandage directs.
Frozen plays the Civic Center March 22 through April 2.
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