‘Frozen’ an ecstatic show through spectacular effects, beautiful storytelling

Disney has knocked it out of the park with the wondrous, icy world its creative team has invented for the stage production of "Frozen."

That's a tall order, translating the beloved 2013 animated film to the stage for the live musical, and this show exceeds all expectations in bringing the magic. "Frozen," whose North American tour is playing a five-week run through Sept. 11 at Playhouse Square's State Theatre, dazzles with its incredible special effects, gorgeous costuming and sets and touching story of self-sacrificing, sisterly love.

Audiences of all ages will be swept up in the stunning visual beauty, top-notch singing and beautiful staging in the Cleveland premiere of "Frozen." At the heart of this story is the lonely Princess Elsa, played with both a beautifully regal bearing and passionate personality by powerful actress and singer Caroline Bowman.

As a young girl, Elsa learns that she has the magical power to create ice and snow. But she's unable to control her powers and her parents, who fear their danger, instruct her to "conceal, don't feel" and keep her icy magic a secret.

That's a painful mantra that Elsa takes to heart for the next decade, up to her coronation. She carries a deep sadness having to hide what makes her unique and isolating herself from everyone, including her sister Anna.

The child actresses playing Young Anna and Young Elsa on Tuesday night — Aria Kane and Arwen Monzon-Sanders — were cute, with Kane portraying a little princess full of mischief and verve. The audience was full of families with small children, with a number of girls dressed as Elsa and some boys wearing adorably goofy Olaf snowman costumes for the big occasion.

The clear show-stopper in this touring production is Bowman's "Let It Go," where Elsa finally owns all of her icy magnificence and uses her powers to create a gorgeous ice palace on North Mountain. The stage magic is most intense in this scene, where, in a poof of light, Elsa instantly transforms her coronation dress into her iconic sparkly ice gown.

More:Behind the icy magic in 'Frozen'

The experience was so intense, I yelled out "Yeah!" and clapped as others in the crowd also yelled out for joy. This astounding dramatic Act I closer, even though I knew to expect it, brought tears to my eyes.

Here, casting away her fear of her powers and using them to create beauty makes all the difference for the formerly inhibited Elsa, who walks with a wonderful swagger after her transformation. The moment offers a strong lesson for young people to celebrate the gifts that make them unique.

"Frozen's" story has quite a bit of dark drama but we get some comic relief throughout the show. Lauren Nicole Chapman is a fun comedic actress as Anna, from her awkwardness meeting love interest Hans to her antics with ice harvester Kristoff (the charismatic Mason Reeves).

The delightfully expressive F. Michael Haynie is a joy to watch as Olaf, becoming one with his silly snowman puppet through his facial expressions and mannerisms.

Kudos also go to Evan Strand, who played reindeer Sven on Tuesday night. He and actor Collin Baja share the physically demanding role, with each doing four shows a week in the big, hairy reindeer costume that requires them to be on all fours, with their arms on stilts serving as the reindeer's front legs.

More humor comes with the Hidden Folk singing Kristoff's praises in the song "Fixer Upper" and the ensemble's hilarity in "Hygge," which has them frolicking around in towels and even "less" at a sauna that Anna and Kristoff come across on their journey to North Mountain.

"Frozen's" company has some proud Ohio connections: Paige Grant, a graduate of the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, is production stage manager; and Baldwin Wallace University graduate Will Savarese will join the tour Sept. 6 in Cleveland in the role of Hans.

More:Akron native Marcus Martin to star as Genie in 'Aladdin' tour

Stellar ensemble

The hard-working ensemble sounds great, from the beautiful a cappella choral work in "Queen Anointed" to the dramatic singing in "Colder by the Minute," whose wonderful staging has them dressed in all white to personify Elsa's snowy storm.

Their unique movement in the storm, choreographed by Rob Ashford, is integral to the storytelling. This multitalented company also does everything from a jazz-style chorus line to balletic dancing in a ballroom scene.

Vibrant scenic and costume design by Christopher Oram brings us back to old Scandinavia, with the Scandinavian motif of a snowflake in a heart showing up everywhere from Anna's dress to the Arendelle castle scenery. His ensemble costumes are based on bunad, the folk costumes of Norway; while Kristoff's costume, which includes pointed-toe shoes, are based on the traditional clothing of the Sami indigenous people of Scandinavia.

The production values in this elaborate show are massive and well worth buying a ticket. It's easy to see how five productions of the 2018 musical are running worldwide, including in Australia, Japan, London and Hamburg.

"Frozen," which has been a long time in the making for its Cleveland stop due to a summer 2020 COVID-19 cancellation, has been well worth the wait.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

Details

Musical: "Frozen"

Where: Playhouse Square State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

When: Continuing through Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays

Onstage: Starring Caroline Bowman, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Ryan McCartan, F. Michael Haynie, Mason Reeves, Evan Strand, Collin Baja, Jeremy Morse, Aria Kane, Arwen Monzon-Sanders, Natalie Chan, Victoria Chan

Offstage: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, music/lyrics; Jennifer Lee, book; Michael Grandage, director; Rob Ashford, choreographer; Christopher Oram, scenic/costume design; Natasha Katz, lighting design; Petre Hylenski, sound design; Finn Ross, video design; Michael Curry, puppet design; Jeremy Chernick, special effects design; Faith Seetoo, music director; David Brian Brown, hair design; Anne Ford-Coates, makeup design

Cost: $39-$165

Sensory-friendly performance: 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3; $25-$55

Information: www.playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Gorgeous ‘Frozen’ tour warms hearts at Playhouse Square in Cleveland