Marriott’s ‘Frozen’ Is A Magical Adventure For The Whole Family
With imaginative staging, beautiful costumes, and a cast that brings tons of personality to the stage, Marriott Theatre’s Disney’s Frozen transforms a familiar movie favorite into a lively theatrical experience.
The first of the hundreds of times I watched the movie Frozen was in theaters in 2013. I had small children, and it very quickly became a favorite in my household, as it did in millions of others around the globe. Social media was filled with parodies of “Let It Go,” and Halloween brought out a sea of Annas, Elsas, and Olafs. It was a great movie for kids and adults alike, but even at that very first viewing, I distinctly remember thinking: there’s a Broadway show in here.
“In the the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.”
Directed by Ashley Rodbro and choreographed by Katie Spelman, the Marriott Theatre’s version of Disney’s Frozen is a colorful, snowy whirlwind of charm, laughs, and lessons for all. And in an audience filled with everyone from an excited small child yelling out a movie line to adults gasping at a story twist, the entire ensemble is consistently and spiritedly engaged in their task at hand.
The Broadway musical includes many favorites like “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” “Love Is an Open Door,” “In Summer,” and “Let It Go,” while also expanding its musical reach with new songs like “Hans Of The Southern Isle” and “Monster.” These additions fill in some of the gaps from the film and give us a better understanding of what the characters are feeling as they navigate their individual struggles.
The costumes are gorgeous, with vibrant colors and designs that are both reminiscent of the film and reflective of small-town Arendelle life. It’s especially exciting to see Anna in her ice-covered, immovable dress when she meets Kristoff in the snow, as well as the thrilling quick-change moment when Elsa comes into her own power toward the end of the first act.
Both Sven and Olaf (performed and puppeted by Garrett Lutz and Nick Berninger, respectively) look much as they do in the movie, with movable mouths and bodies. Sven blinks, shifts his weight, and wags his tail knowingly, while Olaf is built in sections and sports an adorable carrot nose.
The ensemble is magnificent from top to bottom. Evelyn Dorough and Tessa Mae Pundsack, who play Young Anna and Young Elsa, wowed the audience with their energy and lovely voices. They also make appearances in smaller roles throughout the show, which is a treat. They make such an impression at the beginning that you find yourself looking forward to seeing them again, even for a few minutes.
The sisters as adults make quite an impact, too. Morgan Anita Wood’s Elsa carries a heavy burden, but there are small pockets of time when she’s able to smile. Her voice is rich and warm, giving the Queen’s concerns additional layers of maturity. Chloé Nadon-Enriquez’s Anna is spunky, with entertaining facial expressions and an infectious excitement. Her voice is clean and crisp, and when the sisters sing together, it’s dazzling.
Marriott’s Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical is a wonderful theatrical experience for the entire family. With snowflakes floating down from the ceiling, dancing gusts of snow and wind illuminated on screens around the audience, and a cast that brings these familiar characters to life, Frozen was always meant to be a Broadway show. This production makes that magic feel wonderfully real.
Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical runs for approximately 2 hour 5 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. This show is rated for all ages.
Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical is playing at Marriott Theatre through 1/3/2027. Tickets can be purchased through the Marriott Theatre website or by calling (847) 634-0200. Marriott Theatre is located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, IL.