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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Disney's Frozen
For all that, two of the most appealing performances come from actors who bring to life non-human characters through Kylie Clark's ingenious puppet designs. Both may be familiar to audiences from their previous work. Alex Mills, locally renowned for his work with Synetic Theater, takes on the non-speaking role of reindeer Sven, while Kennedy Kanagawa, the puppeteer behind Milky White the cow in the recent Broadway and touring productions of Into the Woods, provides the cheerful soul of Olaf the enchanted snowman. That is not to neglect the impassioned performances of Gabriela Hernandez as Elsa and Alex De Bard as Anna, the two princesses of Arendelle. After their parents die, Elsa becomes queen but, as in her childhood, has to keep control of her emotions lest they bring icy destruction to the people and places around her. As is appropriate in a story about the power of magic, the staging sometimes takes unexpected turns: Elsa and Anna's parents die when their ship sinks in a storm, portrayed through background and rising waves of fluttering blue fabric that fill the forestage. Three-dimensional projections allow the castle set to take on the vastness of a cathedral. On the other hand, some of the scenes are just plain fun, as when storekeeper and sauna owner Oaken (Jamie Smithson) leads a goofy dance number about the benefits of "hygge" (warmth and comfort with friends). Among the other primary actors, Ricky Devon Hall is sweet and steadfast as Kristoff, whose closest friend is the reindeer, along with Noah Israel's smooth performance as a visiting prince who seems too good to be true, Jared Michael Delaney as a pompous aristocrat, and Jay Frisby and Sarah Anne Sillers as the parents of the princesses. Elise Chrappah and Aliza Cohen alternate as Young Anna, with Ruth Eloise Benson and Taylor Esguerra as Young Elsa. Disney's Frozen runs through January 4, 2025, at Olney Theatre Center, Roberts Mainstage, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney MD. For tickets and information, please call 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org. Music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Book by Jennifer Lee Young Anna: Elise Chrappah or Aliza Cohen |
