The Disney juggernaut “Frozen” has swept onto Broadway in full force based on the popular film and what critics have to say is unlikely to carry much weight. The elaborately staged and well performed show, with a book by Jennifer Lee, who wrote the film, and music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, is designed to appeal to fans of the film with the extra kick of a stage spectacle.
The scenery, designed by Christopher Oram, is stunning, intertwined with the lighting design by Natasha Katz, the sound design by Peter Hylenski, the video design by Finn Ross, and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick. The costuming, also designed by Oram, is attention-grabbing, and other behind-the-scenes pros contribute to the overall visual coup, abetted by Rob Ashford’s amusing choreography and the impressive direction by Michael Grandage.
I didn’t much care for the story in the film, and it is just as absurd here. But the production provides the necessary sparkle, and although the second act is too long as the silly plot is worked out, the ultimate result should please the “Frozen” fans and those who head for hyped Broadway musicals.
The plot involves two princesses of Arendellle, the young Anna played by Mattea Conforti and the young Elsa played by Brooklyn Nelson on the night I attended. Elsa has a strange power to turn everything into ice, thereby endangering her younger sister, who must be kept separate from her. When their king and queen parents die at sea, Elsa becomes the new queen.
How all can be unfrozen and solved via the gift of love becomes the ongoing plot, cumbersome to say the least. But the pleasure afforded by the show, in addition to the overwhelming effects, partly lies in the singing by the leads. Caissie Levy as the grown Elsa is a knockout with her “Let it Go” number that closes Act I. Patti Murin as Anna has her big number, “True Love” in Act II. Levy and Murin succeed in injecting the musical with vibrancy by their characterizations.
Various diversions are amusing, including Olaf the snowman (Greg Hildreth), who longs for sunshine, Sven the reindeer, inhabited by Andrew Pirozzi, and people pouring in and out of a sauna in an icy environment. There are magical stage moments in which scenery is covered in ice and costumes suddenly change before our eyes. All of this is expertly delivered, with the production itself becoming the an important “character.”
Critics were advised that if they brought along a youngster, the child should be at least 12 years old. But in the general audience at the performance I attended, there were many tots. Although they might have found the story hard to follow, they would most likely be captivated by the visuals, as well as by the snowman and reindeer. The souvenir counter was doing a brisk business with people lining up before the show to buy the kids keepsakes.
There you have it—a guide for you to determine whether this is a choice for you and family members. As a critic, I commend the Disney organization for coming through with the colorful extravaganza expected of it. At the St. James Theatre, 246 West 44th Streeet. Phone: 866-870-2717. Reviewed March 28, 2018.