Parents may be forgiven if they are a touch annoyed at their 8-year-old plugged into Spotify and playing “Let it Go” for the 18th time. Or walking out their front door to see twelve plastic Olafs flooding their Christmas neighbourhood.
Take heart, adults.
A sparkling new production of Disney’s ‘Frozen – The Broadway Musical’ will endear you to the friends in Arendelle. This opens Theatre Aquarius’ 2025 – 26 season in Hamilton, Ontario. Written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, it is stylishly directed by Jeremy Webb.
As with any musical, its success is the sum of many talented parts. A driving highlight for this production, though, is a spectacular performance by Jessica Gallant as the misfit Princess Anna.
We begin with the two young princess sisters (played with unrestricted energy by Naomi McIntyre and Addison Wagman) whose relationship is disrupted by Elsa’s magical powers known only to her and her parents – The King and Queen. Her powers can be terrifying, and she inadvertently injures her naïve sister. When the parents tragically die, Elsa takes the crown but cannot control the magic, and so she abandons her sister and the town to hide in the mountains, hoping to protect them.
From the start, Gallant’s performance is joyful and careening –blazing facial expressions and wild eyes promote both her exuberance and her naiveté. Anna is caught up in a romance with the handsome (but scheming) Hans (Gabriel Antonacci). When she leaves to search for her sister, she meets the more principled Kristoff (Taurian Teelucksingh) and their duet ‘What do you Know About Love’ rings with beautiful harmony.
Anna finally finds Elsa (Kaleigh Gorka) in her inhospitable castle, and Elsa throws her out, thinking she is doing her a favour. Gorka’s performance is more regal and low-key as she is the only one aware of her dangerous power. Her signature ‘Let it Go’ is powerfully expressive, opening her character to resignation.
In the end, of course, true love prevails, Elsa’s power is checked, and the kingdom is, well, unfrozen.
Two comical characters, Olaf and Sven, become an integral part of Anna’s journey. Both are puppets designed by Cassie Seaboyer with incorporated actors. Sven is an elegant reindeer manipulated with muted sophistication by performer Dayna Tietzen. Olaf is the silly snowman operated with silly glee by Adam Francis Proulx. Their contrasting personas and cleverness of design made them a hit – especially with the youngsters.
Brian Dudkiewicz’s set design soared with lofty mountains, regal doors, and arches. Scrim work added a mystical flair. Corwin Ferguson’s projection design was integral, especially as it was choreographed into Elsa’s magical manipulations. Dynamic storm scenes intensified the action.
This production surges with energy, but a tap dance number needed more punch.
Small parts with big impact:
Oaken is a business trader high in the mountains played by Constant Bernard. He is vibrant and colourful with a tight sweater that doesn’t quite complete the job. His rousing number ‘Hugge’ opens act two with panache.
Bulda (Amanda de Freitas) is a leader of the Hidden Folk. Her vigorous dance routines defied gravity – arms and legs moved with rubbery grace.
A vehicle like “Frozen” can easily get bogged down by the hyper-commercial success of a cultural juggernaut. This company, with its talented cast and creative technologists, did not let that happen. It was fresh and entertaining throughout.
Final comment: Commendations to Theatre Aquarius, whose house design includes seating with admirable leg room. Very rare these days.
‘Frozen’ by Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez
Performers: Gabriel Antonacci, Constant Bernard, Amanda de Freitas, Jessica Gallant, Kaleigh Gorka, Naomi McIntyre, Adam Francis Proulz, Taurian Teelucksingh, Dayna Tietzen, Addison Wagman. And others of the Frozen company.
Director: Jeremy Webb
Musical Director: Bob Foster
Set Design: Brian Dudkiewicz
Lighting Design: Steve Lucas
Costume Design: Helena Marriot
Puppet Design: Cassie Seaboyer
Production runs through: December 28, 2025.
Tickets: theatreaquarius.org
