REVIEW: Frozen is heartwarming and magical
You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer and you’ll be transported as Theatre Aquarius production marvellously brings animated Disney classic to the stage.
Frozen, The Broadway Musical at Theatre Aquarius is pure magic.
That is true in both the literal and the figurative senses. If you’ve ever wanted to escape reality and jump into a Disney movie, this is your chance.
There are moments where I still can’t figure out how a special effect happened. And more importantly, the performances of a wonderful cast and the talents of a wealth of creatives, designers, craftspeople and technicians transport audiences to a truly enchanting place.
Frozen delivers it all — heroes to applaud and villains to boo, spectacle, plenty of laughs, betrayals, goosebumps, and maybe even a tear or two. It will be memories in the making for thousands of ticket-buyers who will attend this show.
The audience at the preview I attended reacted with gasps, cheers, and an immediate and sustained standing ovation. A little girl, perhaps three or four years old, who sat in front of me in an Elsa dress did not take her eyes off the stage. A retired couple beside me were absolutely mesmerized, too.
That is the power of theatre.
Hamilton native Kaleigh Gorka brings a terrific stoicism and grace, along with a powerhouse voice, to the tormented Elsa, who has been consigned to a life of solitude because she can’t control a superpower she didn’t ask to have.
Gorka brings down the house with the iconic and spine-tingling power ballad “Let It Go,” which has become an anthem for self-acceptance. Closing out the first act, it marks the pivotal moment where Elsa, now Queen of Arendelle, decides to stop hiding her magical powers and embrace her true identity.
The emotion of the occasion was evident in both Gorka’s performance and in her celebration at the show’s conclusion and standing ovation. She grew up in Theatre Aquarius’s theatre school and marked her professional debut in the King William Street venue in High School Musical in 2010. She has not been back on its stage since.
RELATED: Hamilton's Kaleigh Gorka making emotional return to Theatre Aquarius as Elsa in Frozen
Hamilton and this musical version of Frozen have a special connection. Hamilton native Caissie Levy became the first to bring the animated Elsa to life when she originated the role on Broadway in 2018. And Gorka premiered Elsa in Canada at Neptune Theatre in Halifax last year under director Jeremy Webb, who is also at the helm of this phenomenal Hamilton production.
Jessica Gallant as the charming, awkward, and unfailingly optimistic Anna steals every scene she’s in with her flawless delivery of the humour required of the role. She is simply outstanding. A dancing scene between Anna and Hans (Gabriel Antonacci) is hilarious, as is Gallant’s frequent hamming behind his back as she falls for the handsome prince.
Another highlight is Olaf, the adorable snowman who gets roundly cheered — by children and adults alike — when he appears on stage. It’s as if he has walked right out of the 2013 film and into the Hamilton theatre. Olaf is masterfully performed by puppeteer and actor Adam Francis Proulx, who truly brings the wisecracking, lovable character to magical life in voice and movement. He and his wonderful puppet are just delightful to watch.
Reindeer Sven is a life-size marvel that surrounds puppeteer Dayna Tietzen. He doesn’t speak but Tietzen manages to make him expressive and comedic nonetheless, with tilts of his head, nudges of his nose, and wags of his tale. She makes his movements look effortless, but I'm sure it's anything but.
Hamilton actor, playwright and director Steven Gallagher is fantastically comedic as the pompous and cowardly Duke of Weselton, and Taurian Teelucksingh is charming as the cynical yet heroic Kristoff.
Of course, the heart of Frozen is the deep love and loyalty of sisters. That is sweetly depicted by Addison Wagman and Naomi McIntyre, who play Young Anna and Young Elsa respectively. Elsa is mature beyond her years and Anna is a precocious “tornado in pigtails,” which Wagman wonderfully encapsulates.
The busy ensemble, who are villagers of Arendelle, the mystical forest-dwellers the Hidden Folk, and even depict the weather, deliver spectacular song and dance numbers. A standout here is Constant Bernard, as the boisterous mountain merchant Oaken.
It’s no easy feat to translate the mythical world of an animated movie onto a stage but I promise you, there will be times when you shiver in the theatre as the world turns to ice.
Frozen is a highly technical production, featuring projections onto scrims, a rotating stage, a live eight-piece band, plenty of props rolled on and off stage, gigantic set pieces lowered from the rafters, and complicated lighting sequences. It all goes flawlessly, even on a preview run-through.
All the movie’s beloved numbers are here, including “For the First Time in Forever,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “In Summer," along with some additions for the stage version.
Frozen is a story about the power of selfless love and what better reminder is there for the holidays? And this musical gives us Disney princesses who broke the mold, so for that we can be grateful.
Before the curtain rose on opening night, strong ticket sales meant Theatre Aquarius extended its run by five matinees. All shows are selling fast. Frozen truly offers a spellbinding experience no matter your age.
That’s thanks to the talents of a whole roster of people, including musical director Bob Foster, choreographer Robin Calvert, set designer Brian Dudkiewicz, costume designer Helena Marriot, lighting designer Steve Lucas, puppet designer Cassie Seaboyer, sound designer Ranil Sonnadara, projection designer Corwin Ferguson, and many others.
In his director notes, Webb, who is artistic director at Neptune, describes it perfectly: “I would like to pay tribute to the hundreds of artisans that work behind the scenes, as well as below and above the stage, to bring our shows to life. This show is a beast, but I have to say that once again your Theatre Aquarius magicians pulled it off magnificently.”
NEED TO KNOW
Frozen, The Broadway Musical
Theatre Aquarius
190 King William St., Hamilton
Until Dec. 28
Running time: 2.5 hours, including an intermission
Notes: The performance is recommended for children ages 5 and each child must have their own ticket. Babes in arms and children under the age of two are not permitted in the auditorium.
This production uses theatrical fog, haze, pyrotechnics, flashing lights and loud noises.
Tickets are here
