author: Leonard Taube

If you’re like me, you’re tired of this weird Maryland weather we’ve had this winter. A month ago, we were gripped in an ice age for what seemed like forever, and the snow from a major storm did not melt for weeks. Then last week Mother Nature gave us a taste of summer, with a few 80+ degree days, but what a tease Ms. Nature is because then we flipped back to cold. Remedy? Just let it go, and go see Third Wall Production’s (Phoenix, MD) production of Disney’s Frozen, which opened this past Friday.

Frozen first hit the screens in 2013 with its animated film capturing the hearts of little girls everywhere. It is loosely based on “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Anderson and had an all-star cast lending their voices to the characters. More than one parent has heard the song “Let It Go” more than once over the years from the film that tells the story of Princess Anna who sets off on a journey to find her sister Elsa who has accidentally trapped their kingdom in eternal winter with her icy powers. 

Packed with local talent, backed up by an amazing, glorious sounding 21-piece orchestra (including conductor) and supported by some amazing on-stage and side-wall projections, this show is sure to be a crowd pleaser even if you’re not an enamored little girl who wants to be one of the princesses.

Director Krystyna Graff took over the show when the original director had some health issues and, as we learned during the curtain speech, the show would not be what it is without her which is saying something because she has turned the vision into a first-rate production complete with comedy, pathos and sheer vocal impact.

Assistant Director/Choreographer Beth Dixon puts the cast through their paces with the various dance numbers, both ensemble and individual/couple. Dixon’s original choreography is fun to watch and well timed with the music.

Music Director Jeff Baker has coaxed the best out of the cast. They sound simply stellar with clear and powerful voices. Sometimes the music drowns out the voices, but such is life with sound balance and a live pit, but that is of little consequence because the voices are strong and what you’d expect from such a show.

Costumers Caitlin Johnston and Amy Rudai outfitted the cast in some great Arendaleian clothes appropriate for a Disney kingdom. There were a few wardrobe malfunctions with adult Princess Anna’s dress/wig on opening night, but I’m sure that was a bugaboo that will work itself out. Otherwise, costumes were first rate.

Lighting Designers Andrew Vida and Vinnie Campbell lit the stage well and as stated earlier, there are some amazing projections that simply must be seen to be believed. Sound Designer Charles Hirsch kept the sound even, for the most part, except for the aforementioned difficulty in discerning some lyrics, but I chalk that up to the space. Veteran Hirsch always comes through, and this show is no different. He knows sound and does a great job.

 

The set (Marc Graff/Amy Rudai) is not complicated and relies quite a bit on the out-of-this-world projections, but the pieces that move on and off are appropriate, period and well suited to the scenes at hand.

Several of the key roles in this production have been double cast, allowing more people to showcase their talents and assuring that the show will still go on absent some catastrophic event (like the entire building becomes encased in ice or something).

Princess Anna (Rayna Arias at this performance) is hysterical. Her comedic timing is impeccable and, coupled with a beautiful voice, she endears the audience to her frozen heart as the princess yearning for sisterly love and acceptance.

Princess/Queen Elsa (Cecily Feliz at this performance) will not disappoint with her vocal prowess and, yes, you will get your money’s worth with her rendition of “Let it Go”. Her icy disposition is clearly noted by some equally icy facial expressions, and she is quite convincing as the Queen who cannot control her powers and feels she is better off alone, self-banishing herself from those she loves.

Young Anna and Young Elsa (Lilly Zacharias and Sarah Hartsock respectively at this performance) are endearing and adorable in such numbers as “A Little Bit of You” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, important for setting their relationship so that plot developments as they get older are better understood. This background setting is important, and these two young ladies sing and act in their respective roles with sincerity and conviction.

King Agnarr (Rich Reichley) and Queen Iduna (Krystyna Graff at this performance), although only seen briefly in the beginning, are sufficiently parental in their desire to help shield Elsa’s powers from their subjects/townspeople and desperately yearn to find a “cure” to which end they set sail in search of help.

Hans (Derek Cooper at this performance) is tall, handsome and possesses both a charm and comedic flair that, at first, seems genuine. But things are not always as they appear. Keep an eye on this guy for appearances can be deceiving. He has a great duet with Anna, “Love Is on Open Door” and his solo “Hans of the Southern Isles” showcases his strong voice and dramatic flair.

Olaf (Sylvia Rose Kowalski) is the live version of the snowman that the princesses built as children, and Kowalski is simply superb as the funny snowman who is always cheerful and talks quite a bit. Her song “In Summer” is clever and she, like the rest of the cast, has a voice on her that is second to none. I was truly blown away by her performance.

Sven (Joy Baldwin at this performance) is the reindeer/companion to Kristoff and will appeal to the kid in all of us with her on-stage movements and puppeteering of the reindeer apparatus that she makes her own.

Kristoff (Brent Teagan Bartley) will knock your socks off as the guy who helps lead Anna to find Elsa and, along the way, falls in love with her. Or is it vice versa? Or is it mutual? You’ll just have to come see for yourself. He has some signature songs as well including “Kristoff Lullaby” and the duet with Anna “What Do You Know About Love” that, with his deep voice that rings out like thick honey out into the audience, propels him into leading man territory. Watching the relationship between Anna and Kristoff is romantic comedy at its finest and these two actors play the subtext with subtle dexterity that transcends mere romance.

The Duke of Weselton (Neil Beller) is a great character actor, excelling in comedy. His body mechanics, facial expressions, dance moves and fiery delivery make for some great comic relief.

There are several other ensemble members that comprise the remainder of the cast, some of them performing in small roles and others as featured dancers and townsfolk. There are also some folks noted in the program as Backstage Singers. They all deserve a nod of appreciation and pat on the back for helping to bring the show to life with their voices, dancing and simply sheer presence both on and off the stage. A good ensemble is so important, and these folks deserve applause as well.

With a story that is perfect for this time of year, a cast chock full of talent, projections that will blow you away and some special effects that you just must see to believe, Frozen should be on your A list to see. It’s a family friendly musical that will bring a smile to your face and take you on a magical journey to the Kingdome of Arendale. But don’t dally. The show runs through March 29th. 

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission

Frozen plays through March 29^th 2026 with Third Wall Productions, in residence at Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church— 3701 Sweet Air Road in Phoenix, MD. Tickets are available by at the door or in advance online.