onStage Pittsburgh: There is an underlying challenge whenever something as iconic as Disney’s Frozen is represented or reimagined for a space other than the original film with a beloved cast. Whether you have seen the movie more times than you care to count or are merely able to identify “Let it Go,” it can be difficult to void your expectations or preconceived notions when sitting down to watch the stage adaptation.
2 comments:
I had the privilege of seeing Frozen on tour my senior year of high school at the Doctor Philips Center for the Performing Arts (my local theater for touring shows.) Something that stood out to me consistently throughout the performance was the advanced technical elements. From the projections on the walls and floor of the stage that fully immersed the performers and the audience, to the costumes that were so similar to the cartoon it was like they pulled them off the screen, to the seamless scenic transitions, it was so easy to feel immersed in the story. I vividly remember the onstage costume changes in Act 1 and how intricate they were. I also absolutely loved the way the ensemble was used in one of the final scenes as the ice and snow that transforms Anna. I remember thinking it was such a creative and lovely choice. I would love to see Frozen again one day!
4. I was looking forward to hearing more about how the transition from a Broadway residence to a touring production went and what changes needed to be made, but this article is still a great read. It’s a glowing review of the Frozen tour currently playing at the Benedum Center. It sounds like most, if not all, of the spectacle from its Broadway run has been retained in this tour as it is far from minimalistic. As we delve further into technological advancements with automation and projections, sometimes I worry we will lose the beauty of theater magic. I think Frozen is a testament to how that won’t happen. Puppetry and magical onstage changes are still at the forefront of this piece. I’m glad to see a comment on the timing of the cues! Shoutout to stage management! Brooke mentioned this week that they were going to get coffee with the PSM of this tour. I wonder what they were able to learn about this tour that isn’t mentioned in this review.
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