What’s with the sudden popularity of staging the musical Frozen at the same time at London’s Grand Theatre and Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius? From my experience, that’s quite rare on the professional theatre scene. Dave Rabjohn from Our Theatre Voice will cover the Hamilton production. Look for his review soon.
Jennifer Lee’s book centers on two sisters and princesses, young Elsa and Anna (Kylie Prouty and Harmony Holder in this performance) and adult Elsa and Anna (Kelly Holiff and Chariz Faulmino). Elsa has magical powers to create snow and ice, but she struggles to control them. The playful banter between the young girls and their Jack-in-the-Box snowman, Olaf (Izad Etemadi), later brings the character to life.
At one point, after Elsa and Anna’s parents, the King and Queen (Adam Stevenson and Jennifer Harding), put their young daughters to bed, the girls do not immediately fall asleep; instead, they talk and play. At one point, Elsa harms her sister with her magical powers, causing Anna to pass out. After the King and Queen’s deaths, Elsa assumes the throne but then flees. As a result, the kingdom becomes trapped in an eternal winter. There is also the threat that Elsa might accidentally kill Anna. The story revolves around correcting wrongs committed long ago. True, unselfish, sacrificial love will ultimately thaw the coldest hearts and save the day by the end of the story.
There is a minor subplot involving Anna and two potential suitors, the young handsome prince Hans (Aran Wilson-Mcanally) and Kristoff (Mark Sinongco).
I’ve never, ever watched the animated movie. No interest in doing so. I had no clue what to expect. The only thing I knew about the show was hearing ‘Let It Go’ countless times.
‘Twas a pleasant surprise by the end of the Grand’s opening night performance.
It’s quite good. I was impressed by the production’s theatricality. The creative team, consisting of Director Rachel Peake, Music Director Alexandra Kane, and Choreographer Ainsley Hillyard, thoughtfully craft a colourful, magical, and stunning fairy tale that explores a common theme in stories for the young and the young at heart – “love will unfreeze even the coldest of hearts.”
While there’s nothing new about that theme, as it’s been examined before, what makes the Grand’s Frozen uniquely memorable?
Rachel Peake answers that question in her Director’s Note. The creative team and performers hold a responsibility.
What is that responsibility?
To ensure the heart and humour of storytelling create memorable moments of hope, wonder, beauty, and awe—even in a sometimes-cold, distant world.
The Grand’s production accomplishes that task. Nicely. The show is a family holiday treat.
Rachel Peake directs with a childlike wonder in seeing things from their point of view, thanks to her daughter, Anwen’s, advice. Cory Sincennes’ stunning, larger-than-life, colourful storybook set design and resplendent costume designs, full of colour and texture, whisk the audience to a far-off land. Amelia Scott’s realistic projection designs, combined with Jareth Li’s evocative lighting, create a genuine sense of how cold the kingdom of Arendelle becomes. The artistry behind the gentility of Ainsley Hillyard’s choreography effectively adds dimension without upstaging the plot.
Heavenly harmonic vocals reverberate from the Spriet Theatre’s roof thanks to Alexandra Kane’s musical direction and Steven Greened’s supervision. Since I had no prior knowledge of the story, I’m pleased that Owen Hutchinson manages the sound design well, balancing the singers and the orchestra. For the most part, I could hear Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez’s lyrics clearly. However, the orchestra overpowers in Act One’s ‘First Joik/Northern Lights’ and Act Two’s opening ‘Hygge’. Now that the production is underway, I am confident the sound balance issue can be quickly addressed at each performance.
There were many young children at this opening-night performance. It’s heartwarming to hear their reactions when the characters are first introduced.
At this performance, Kylie Prouter and Harmony Holder are exceptionally charming as the young Elsa and Anna, respectively. Izad Etemadi is an adorable Olaf. The character is a puppet operated in a manner similar to Julie Taymor’s work in The Lion King. Reindeer Sven is delightful upon his first appearance, and the costume is extraordinarily larger than life. Mark Sinongco is a dashing Kristoff while Aran Wilson-Mcanally becomes a dastardly Hans.
Chariz Faulmino and Kelly Holiff are the main reasons to see the production. They deliver uniquely commanding performances with superb harmony work in “I Can’t Lose You’ and ‘Colder by the Minute’. Faulmino is a lively and perky Anna who provides much of the comic relief with her girlish giggles when she first meets Hans and then begins to fall for Kristoff. Holiff’s Elsa is statuesque, almost goddess-like in her stares and glares. Her Act One show stopper, ‘Let It Go,’ sounds terrific.
Note to parents: Please ensure your child is old enough to sit still. A young child behind me kept whimpering loudly that she wanted to go home. I overheard others at intermission talking about how this spoiled the ending of the first act and the powerhouse number ‘Let It Go.’
I get that young children are unpredictable, but that’s not fair to others sitting around the child who paid good money. It’s wonderful to introduce your children to the theatre; however, please don’t bring them if you feel they are not ready to sit still and/or whisper to you.
Running time: approximately two hours and 15 minutes with one interval/intermission
The production runs to January 4, 2026, on the Spriet Stage at London, Ontario’s Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street. For tickets: grandtheatre.com or call (519) 672-8800.
THE GRAND THEATRE presents in association with the Citadel Theatre
FROZEN
Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez
Book by Jennifer Lee
Originally directed on Broadway by Michael Grandage. Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Directed by Rachel Peake
Music Director: Alexandra Kane
Choreographer: Ainsley Hillyard
Set and Costume Designer: Cory Sincennes
Lighting Designer: Jareth Li
Projection Designer: Amelia Scott
Sound Designer: Owen Hutchinson
Stage Manager: Kelly Luft
Performers: Vance Avery, Crystal Casera, Andrew Cownden, Izad Etemadi, Chariz Faulmino, Jennifer Harding, Harmony Holder, Kelly Holiff, Richard Lee His, Kylie Prouty, Lee Siegel, Mark Sinongco, Adam Stevenson, Tahirih Vejdani, Chris Vergara, Aran Wilson-Mcanally, Stephanie Wolfe
