PicksInSix Review: Disney's FROZEN - The Broadway Musical - Marriott Theatre
“Some People Are Worth Melting For!”
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy
There is a special connection between Olaf, the enchanted snowman, and Anna, one of the two royals from the Kingdom of Arendelle at the center of “Disney’s FROZEN: The Broadway Musical,” an exhilarating and moving production of which opened Wednesday at the Marriott Theatre. It comes late in the show as the bemused, but sincere, Olaf tends a fire to warm Anna’s freezing heart. “Some people are worth melting for.” So simply said and yet it always seems to hit home in this story about love, courage and sisterhood. It’s also a fair amount of foreshadowing of what will happen to the courageous Anna before the night is through.
Olaf is played marvelously here by Nick Berringer. With Garrett Lutz’s lovable reindeer Sven, they form the iconic puppet team that elicit awe and wonder from the youngsters in the audience. In truth, audiences young and old never seem to get enough of them or of this popular show. After all, nearly everyone knows the lyrics to that song and wait intently for the magical transformation that occurs at the close of Act I. I will not give this fancy bit of prestidigitation away except to say that in the close quarters of Marriott’s in-the-round configuration, where all eyes are upon you, it is both artfully and beautifully executed—words that describe the entire production.
The impressive scenic design by Collette Pollard, using the LED mesh that envelopes the house, in tandem with the crisp lighting design of Jesse Klug and radiant costumes of Mara Blumenfeld, all coalesce to support director Ashley Rodbro’s vision for this glistening, fast-paced musical fantasy. Awash with color in Arendelle, the atmosphere chills in a flash to pure white, creating the illusion of Elsa’s icy spell. Add Katie Spellman’s exuberant choreography, with some very clever uses of blocks of ice along the way, and the journey looks and feels like a true arctic adventure.
Director Rodbro’s exceptionally talented company—many making their Marriott debut—is led by the terrific performances of Morgan Anita Wood as Elsa and Chloé Nadon-Enriquez as Anna, the sisters who must rediscover their relationship after being separated by their parents at an early age. The sorcerous Elsa, of course, knows that the decision was for the sisters’ safety. The show follows Anna’s journey to find out for herself after Elsa becomes queen, forbids Anna’s marriage to Hans of the Southern Isles (Justin Albinder). Coming to Anna’s aid along the way is Kristoff, played by David Morehead, who is Sven’s keeper. With Olaf, the four traverse the elements to find Elsa within her ice castle just as the search party led by Hans and the Duke of Weselton (Steven Strafford) corner Elsa and return her home for judgement.
Wood gives a commanding performance and an electrifying performance of “Let It Go,” while the effervescent Nadon-Enriquez drives the story forward with her exuberant energy and charm. Moreland is perfect as the gallant and resilient Kristoff in a superb bit of casting opposite Nadon-Enriquez. Tessa Mae Pundsack and Evelyn Dorough are delightful as the young Elsa and Anna. Strafford’s delivers a conniving and entertaining Duke and Darian Goulding’s turn as Oaken, leading the company number “Hygge,” is a real crowd-pleaser.
With fine musical direction by Ryan T. Nelson, the Marriott orchestra conducted by Brad Haak and the timeless message of perseverance, “FROZEN” is sure to be a big hit for the holidays at Marriott.
PHOTO|Justin Barbin
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