Frozen (musical)

Frozen is a musical with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, based on the 2013 film of the same name. The story centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses, Elsa and Anna. Elsa has magical powers to freeze objects and people, which she does not know how to control. After inheriting the throne, Elsa flees, inadvertently causes the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter, and nearly kills her sister. She must sacrifice and show true love to save the day.

Frozen
The Broadway Musical
Broadway promotional poster
MusicKristen Anderson-Lopez
Robert Lopez
LyricsKristen Anderson-Lopez
Robert Lopez
BookJennifer Lee
Basis
film Frozen
by
Productions

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the musical had a tryout at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado in August 2017 and premiered on Broadway in March 2018 at the St. James Theatre to mixed reviews. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Frozen suspended performances on March 11, 2020, after 26 previews and 825 regular performances; Disney has announced that the show will not reopen.[1] A U.S. tour began in November 2019 but was also suspended in March 2020.

Development

In January 2014, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, stated that Disney Theatrical Productions was in early development of a stage adaptation of Frozen that it planned to bring to Broadway.[2][3][4] No date was set for the adaptation. "We're not demanding speed," Iger said. "We're demanding excellence."[2][5] One of the film's producers, Peter Del Vecho, later reiterated that "these things take time."[6] In an October 2014 interview, Thomas Schumacher, the president of Disney Theatrical Group, disclosed that discussions about a musical had begun even before the film was released almost a year earlier.[7] He stated: "I'm already talking to directors, and I have a design concept, and we have to begin to fashion this idea. It doesn't need to be fast. It needs to be great."[7]

The first priority [for Disney Theatrical] ... is when you have a property that is as beloved and music-based as Frozen, that has to get an enormous amount of my attention. To say, "How do we take this and make a sophisticated, adult evening of theater out of it?"

— Tom Schumacher, interview with Southern California Public Radio in November 2014[8]

In February 2015, Schumacher confirmed that the songwriters were working on the show and that Lee would be writing the book but that "no other staffing or dates have been announced".[9] By early 2016, Disney announced that the musical was scheduled to open on Broadway in spring 2018, with Alex Timbers as director, Peter Darling as choreographer and Stephen Oremus as music supervisor, among other creative staff.[10] Disney also scheduled the pre-Broadway tryout in August 2017 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.[11] In April 2016, it was reported that Betsy Wolfe had been cast as Elsa,[12] but Disney stated that no roles had been officially cast.[13] Anderson-Lopez told an interviewer that while "the movie only has seven-and-a-half songs ... we’ve written about 23" for the musical".[13] The musical's first developmental lab was held over two weeks during May 2016 in New York City, with Wolfe as Elsa, Patti Murin as Anna, Okieriete Onaodowan as Kristoff, and Greg Hildreth as Olaf.[14]

In September 2016, Disney announced a new director, Michael Grandage. It confirmed that the musical was set to open on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in spring 2018.[15] Rob Ashford joined the creative team as choreographer.[16] The musical "cost a reported $30 million to produce [and] churned through three choreographers, two set designers, two Elsas and two directors."[17]

Productions

Denver (2017)

A pre-Broadway tryout ran at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado, from August 17 to October 1, 2017, directed and choreographed by Grandage and Ashford. Caissie Levy and Patti Murin starred as Elsa and Anna. The cast included Jelani Alladin as Kristoff, Greg Hildreth as Olaf and John Riddle as Prince Hans. Designers included Christopher Oram (sets and costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Michael Curry (puppets). Stephen Oremus served as music supervisor.[18][19]

Broadway (2018–20)
At the St. James Theatre

Previews on Broadway at the St. James Theatre began on February 22, 2018, with an official opening on March 22, 2018. The cast and creative team was the same as in Denver. A reported 30% of the show was rewritten between the tryout and the Broadway opening, with the musical taking a "deeper dive into the princesses' psyches" and aiming at a more adult audience; Disney research shows that 70% of the audience for its musicals are adults without children.[17] Anderson-Lopez noted that "examining how the ... princesses' psychological scars drive them to make certain decisions was the next logical storytelling step."[17] The onstage technology included lighting effects for Elsa's magic, as well as such adaptations as a full-body costume to represent the reindeer Sven, with a ballet dancer inside holding stilts in his hands and walking on tiptoe; the role is so strenuous that a second ballet dancer was hired to play it at some performances to give each dancer some days of rest.[17]

The production played 825 performances and 26 previews at the St. James Theatre, ending on March 11, 2020, when performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] On May 14, 2020, Disney Theatrical Productions announced that Frozen would not reopen on Broadway following the pandemic.[21] The production cost about $35 million to mount, attracted attendance of over 1.3 million and grossed over $150 million, often grossing 80% to 90% of box office potential. It did not perform as well, however, as Disney's The Lion King or Aladdin. Therefore, Disney chose to close Frozen, judging that after the pandemic running three shows on Broadway simultaneously "would become untenable".[22]

A U.S. tour of the Broadway production began on November 10, 2019 at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, New York, starring Caroline Bowman as Elsa.[23] Disney intends to re-open the tour when theatrical touring is again feasible.[1]

Planned productions

Sydney

A production is planned to play at Sydney Australia's Capitol Theatre, with Jemma Rix as Elsa. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production was delayed and is scheduled to open on December 1, 2020.[24]

London

The musical is expected to open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in London's West End, with previews beginning on October 30, 2020, and an opening night on November 11.[25][26] Samantha Barks is set to play Elsa, and Stephanie McKeon was cast to play Anna.[27]

Hamburg

A German production is scheduled to open in Hamburg in 2021.[28]

Plot

This summary reflects the plot of the 2017 Denver production.

Act I

A narrator, one of the "hidden folk", introduces Princess Elsa of Arendelle and her playful younger sister, Princess Anna ("Vuelie", "Let the Sun Shine On").[29] One night at bedtime, Elsa and Anna build a magical snowman and name it Olaf ("A Little Bit of You"); Elsa creates snow in their room. In their excitement, Elsa accidentally injures Anna with her cryokinetic magic. Their parents, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna, call for the aid of the colony of hidden folk, led by Grand Pabbie. He heals Anna and removes her memories of Elsa's magic. Elsa asks for Grand Pabbie to remove her magic, but Grand Pabbie says that it is a part of her, and he gives her a vision of her future, frightening Elsa, who believes that her magic will cause death. The King isolates the sisters within the castle. Elsa shuts out Anna when Anna seeks her out ("Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"). Elsa's fear of her powers grow, and the King and Queen are powerless to help. The parents die at sea during a storm while both princesses are still young.

Ten years later, as Elsa turns twenty-one, she is being crowned queen of Arendelle. Anna is excited for the castle's gates to open ("For the First Time in Forever") and meets the handsome Prince Hans ("Hans of the Southern Isles"). Elsa is terrified that the kingdom's citizens might find out about her powers and fear her, while wishing to be able to reconnect with Anna ("Dangerous to Dream"). Elsa's coronation goes smoothly, and she initiates her first contact with Anna in years. They enjoy the coronation together, with Anna talking the Duke of Weselton out of dancing with the newly crowned Queen. However, Elsa leaves Anna after her younger sister asks about keeping the gates open. Anna falls in love with Hans ("Love Is an Open Door"), who quickly proposes marriage to her, and the two share a kiss. The couple asks for Elsa's blessing, who objects because the two have only known each other for a day. After intense questioning from Anna about shutting her out from her life, Elsa accidentally unleashes her powers before the court. The Duke brands her a monster. Elsa flees the castle to the North Mountain without realizing that her suppressed magic engulfs Arendelle in an eternal winter.

Anna goes in search of Elsa, leaving Hans in charge of the kingdom during her absence. Up in the mountain, ice harvester Kristoff and his reindeer Sven ("Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People") find the ill-equipped Anna, still in her coronation dress. Kristoff gives her a set of winter clothes, and she leaves her dress behind. Kristoff and Anna disagree about love while crossing a bridge ("What Do You Know About Love"), with Anna saving Kristoff from falling off the bridge. Anna and Kristoff then encounter a newly created Olaf, who offers to guide them to Elsa, and sings about his love for summer ("In Summer"). A soldier arrives in Arendelle with Anna's dress from the mountain, and Hans fears for Anna's safety. He assembles a search party ("Hans of the Southern Isles" (reprise)), with the Duke sending two of his men with secret orders to kill Elsa. Meanwhile, on the North Mountain, Elsa throws off her cloak, builds an ice castle with her powers, and transforms her coronation dress into a sparkly ice gown ("Let It Go").

Act II

Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf arrive at Wandering Oaken's Trading Post & Sauna to meet the owner, Oaken ("Hygge"). Anna enjoys the sauna together with its many other patrons. Kristoff convinces Oaken and his patrons to aid their journey, which enables them to get provisions, and Anna gets a winter dress.

Reaching the ice palace, Anna meets Elsa, but when she reveals what has become of Arendelle, Elsa becomes angry and frustrated, saying that she cannot fix it, and she accidentally freezes Anna's heart ("For the First Time in Forever" (reprise)). Elsa then kicks Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf out while wondering what to do ("Dangerous to Dream" (reprise)). Anna's hair begins turning white, so Kristoff takes her to meet the hidden folk, his adoptive family, who recognize Anna as the princess and think she's Kristoff's fiancée ("Fixer Upper"). Grand Pabbie reveals that Anna will freeze solid unless "an act of true love" reverses the spell. Kristoff races Anna back home so Hans can give her true love's kiss, at the sacrifice of his own hidden love for her ("Kristoff Lullaby").

Back in the ice castle, Elsa considers whether she is a monster and wonders how can she end the storm, not sure whether the storm would end or grow worse if she were to die ("Monster"). She resolves to stay alive to end the storm, but Hans and his men reach Elsa's palace, capturing Elsa. Back at the castle, Anna is delivered to Hans, but rather than kissing her, he reveals that he has been plotting to seize the throne of Arendelle by eliminating both sisters ("Hans of the Southern Isles" (reprise 2)). Hans locks Anna in a room to die, as Anna reflects on her mistakes while still holding on to the idea of love ("True Love"). Olaf frees Anna, and they venture into the blizzard outside to meet Kristoff, whom Olaf reveals is in love with her.

Outside the castle, Hans publicly charges Elsa with treason and sentences her to death. Elsa escapes her chains and flees outside as a blizzard grows ("Colder by the Minute"). Kristoff and Anna struggle to find each other. Hans confronts Elsa, claiming that she killed Anna, causing Elsa to break down. Anna finally finds Kristoff but spots Hans about to kill Elsa; she leaps in the way and freezes solid, stopping Hans. Devastated, Elsa mourns her sister, who thaws out, her sacrifice constituting "an act of true love". Realizing that her magic is controlled by love, Elsa ends the winter ("Vuelie (Love Thaws)"). Anna punches Hans, and she and Kristoff become a couple. Elsa and Anna reunite without fear for the first time, as the departed King and Queen, young Elsa and young Anna appear in the background, signaling the healing of the sisters' painful past (Finale).

Musical numbers

All songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez unless otherwise noted.

† Featured in the 2013 film.

‡ "Vuelie" written by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe Beck

∞ Song added February 2020

Characters and original cast
Character Broadway
(2018)		 US tour
(2019)[30]
Anna Patti Murin Caroline Innerbichler
Elsa Caissie Levy Caroline Bowman
Kristoff Jelani Alladin Mason Reeves
Hans John Riddle Austin Colby
Olaf Greg Hildreth F. Michael Haynie
Pabbie Timothy Hughes Tyler Jiminez
Weselton Robert Creighton Jeremy Morse
Oaken Kevin Del Aguila Michael Milkanen
Sven Andrew Pirozzi Collin Baja
Evan Strand
Young Anna Audrey Bennett
Mattea Conforti		 Stella Cobb
Arwen Monzon-Sanders
Young Elsa Brooklyn Nelson
Ayla Schwartz		 Alyssa Kim
Jaiden Klein
Queen Iduna Ann Sanders Marina Kondo
King Agnarr James Brown III Kyle Lamar Mitchell
Bulda Olivia Phillip Brit West

Notable Broadway cast replacements

Recordings

Prior to the official opening of the musical on Broadway, four singles were released digitally: "Monster" in February 2018, and "What Do You Know About Love", "Dangerous to Dream" and "True Love", all in March 2018.[34] The Original Broadway Cast Album was released digitally on May 11, 2018, with a physical (CD) release following on June 8, 2018. For the recording, the orchestra was expanded from 21 members to 44, including 22 strings. The album includes a song cut from the Broadway production as a bonus track, "When Everything Falls Apart".[35]

Reception

Reviews of the Denver tryout were mixed but found the show promising; "fun but not transporting", said The Denver Post. Mark Shenton wrote in The Stage: "Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez have augmented their score for the original film – which featured just eight songs – to 20 songs in all now. There are occasional moments that feel padded ... but the surging power ballads that are the score's signature are stunningly delivered by [Levy and Murin]."[36]

The Broadway show received mixed reviews. Jesse Green of The New York Times called the show "rousing, often dull, alternately dopey". He praised Levy's and Murin's performances as well as the set and lighting design but criticized the new musical numbers.[37]

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2018 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Jelani Alladin Nominated
Outstanding Puppet Design Michael Curry Won
Tony Awards Best Musical Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Jennifer Lee Nominated
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez Nominated

References
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  2. Reingold, Jennifer (January 13, 2014). "Disney CEO Iger: Frozen has restored our mojo". Fortune. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  3. Cox, Gordon (January 13, 2014). "Disney Considering "Frozen" for Broadway, Obviously". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  4. Rothman, Lily (February 24, 2014). "Frozen's Hot Following". Time. Disney has already announced plans to bring a musical version to Broadway, and theme-park incarnations have been hinted at.
  5. Emery, Debbie (January 13, 2014). "'Frozen' Musical Is Headed to Broadway". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  6. Lee, Hyo-Won (March 31, 2014). "'Frozen' Producer Talks Franchise Rumors, Disney Strategy, Bizarre Popularity in South Korea (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  7. Rooney, David (October 16, 2014). "Disney's Top Theater Exec on 'Frozen' Musical Plans: "I'm Talking to Directors". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  8. Lanz, Michelle (November 18, 2014). "Why it took Disney 18 years to bring Hunchback of Notre Dame to the U.S. stage". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  9. Lee, Ashley (February 13, 2015). "'Frozen' Stage Musical Recruits Film's Co-Director, Songwriting Duo". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  10. Cox, Gordon (February 9, 2016). "'Frozen' Musical Sets Broadway Timeline, Creative Team". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  11. Crowley, Joanne (February 11, 2016). "Pre-Broadway version of Disney's "Frozen" coming to Denver". The Denver Post. Digital First Media. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  12. Viagas, Robert (April 21, 2016). "Coronation Day! Disney's Frozen Stage Musical Picks Its Elsa". Playbill. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  13. Clement, Olivia (April 26, 2016). "Frozen Songwriters Announce Stage Musical Will Have Over 20 Songs". Playbill. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  14. Paulson, Michael; Barnes, Brooke (June 6, 2016). "Let It Go Go Go! Three Stage Versions of Frozen Are on the Way". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  15. Hetrick, Adam (September 27, 2016). "Disney's Frozen Names Tony-Winning Director and a Broadway Theatre | Playbill". Playbill.
  16. "Frozen Musical Announces Full Broadway Lead Casting". broadway.com. April 17, 2017.
  17. Dockterman, Eliana. "The Ice Queen's New Kingdom", Time, March 19, 2018 issue, p. 58
  18. McPhee, Ryan (August 17, 2017). "Disney's Broadway-Bound Frozen Musical Begins Performances in Denver August 17 | Playbill". Playbill.
  19. Paulson, Michael (August 9, 2017). "Disney's Challenge: Keeping It Frozen, but Still Fresh". The New York Times. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  20. Gans, Andrew (May 14, 2020). "Broadway's Frozen Will Not Reopen Post-Pandemic". Playbill. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  21. Paulson, Michael (May 14, 2020). "Disney Closes 'Frozen' on Broadway, Citing Pandemic". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  22. Evans, Greg; Evans, Greg (May 14, 2020). "Disney's 'Frozen' Becomes Broadway's First Long-Running Coronavirus Casualty: Producers Announce Permanent Closing". Deadline. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  23. Gans, Andrew (November 10, 2019). "Caroline Bowman and Caroline Innerbichler Star in Frozen Tour, Beginning November 10". Playbill. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  24. "Frozen Sydney season postponed", Frozen. Retrieved 15 May 2020
  25. "Frozen the musical coming to West End". The Telegraph. December 21, 2018.
  26. "Frozen to Open in London at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Autumn 2020". londontheatre.co.uk. March 19, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  27. Willmott, Phil (April 14, 2020). "Samantha Barks is Frozen's Elsa & Stephanie McKeon is Anna. Disney's latest sisters". londonboxoffice.co.uk. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  28. "Die Eiskönigin - Das Musical", stage-entertainment.de. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  29. "Frozen the musical on Broadway tickets now on sale". ABC7. August 14, 2017. The film version of Frozen begins with ice harvesters singing "Frozen Heart", while the musical opens with the mythical hidden folk chanting, and Kristoff's introduction as a child is cut.
  30. "Casting News: Frozen Announces Full Touring Cast", ToursToYou.org, September 23, 2019
  31. McPhee, Ryan (January 15, 2019). "Ryann Redmond Joins Broadway's Frozen as Olaf; Noah J. Ricketts and Joe Carroll Also Among New Principals". Playbill. TotalTheater. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  32. Gans, Andrew (January 15, 2020). "Ciara Renée and McKenzie Kurtz Will Be Frozen's New Elsa and Anna on Broadway". Playbill. TotalTheater. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  33. Gans, Andrew (January 15, 2020). "Ciara Renée and McKenzie Kurtz Will Be Frozen's New Elsa and Anna on Broadway". Playbill. TotalTheater. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  34. "Frozen - 2018 Original Broadway Cast". CastAlbums. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  35. Mcphee, Ryan (April 30, 2018). "Frozen Sets Release Dates for Original Broadway Cast Recording | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
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  37. Green, Jesse. "Review: Frozen Hits Broadway With a Little Magic and Some Icy Patches", The New York Times, March 22, 2018
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