By Jody Tuso-Key — Managing Editor

ATLANTA – In 2013 the Walt Disney Corporation released an animated film based on The Snow Queen, a story written by Hans Christian Andersen. Disney produced one of Andersen’s stories into an animated picture in 1989 with The Little Mermaid, which spawned a renaissance in full length animation that has been profitable for Disney and spawned many other companies for the last 3 decades. FROZEN relied on a fairly new genre, computer generated imagery (CGI) to tell its dynamic story. This film took audiences by storm and resulted in a blizzard of merchandising. It only stood to reason the next step would be a live musical adaptation of the story, and FROZEN THE MUSICAL premiered on Broadway in 2018 to a very fruitful run until it closed in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. It eventually went on to a successful national tour, and  was as much of a cultural phenomenon as the movie. The musical included added musical numbers and larger than life technical elements. Now that the national tour has concluded, FROZEN has been made available for license to select regional theaters, and we are fortunate that Atlanta’s own City Springs Theater Company has opened its much anticipated regional premiere of FROZEN this holiday season.

FROZEN is the brainchild of Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robet Lopez (music and lyrics) and Jennifer Lee (book). I felt blessed a few years back being in the same room twice with Kristen and Robert at the Junior Theater Festival as they shared their talent, love, and gratitude with an audience of 6000 theater students. 

As has come to be expected by City Springs, this is a stellar performance which it differs from previous shows as the performers in FROZEN are all local talent. One reason I live in the Atlanta area as opposed to New York City is that we have amazing theatre and incredible talent that rivals the main stages of Broadway and off-Broadway at a fraction of the cost. Where Atlanta is the new Hollywood, it is the humble opinion of this author that Atlanta is also the new Broadway, and City Springs is one of the leaders in bringing high quality musical theater to the ATL. 

Let’s get on with the show. I had the pleasure recently of interviewing Natalie DeLancey and Robert W Schneider . Natalie is the Executive Director of City Springs Theatre Company and recently received the well-deserved honor of being named to the Georgia Theater Conference’s Hall of Fame. Robert is the distinguished director of City Spring’s FROZEN and has a very impressive resume which includes a podcast called Behind the Curtain: Broadway’s living legends. We are so glad he took time out from his busy schedule to direct such an iconic musical. 

Natalie and Robert have assembled a cast of rising stars and an exceptional technical crew. Everyone has come together to create a winter wonderland and much like Santa in a beloved Rankin/Bass tv classic, are bringing snow to the South. While FROZEN is a somewhat serious story about denying sense of self, consequences of those actions, and true love, it is also a comedy, and that wasn’t lost on Robert, who has a fun sense of humor revealed on stage as all the jokes and gags landed precisely.

The production team provided the magic and sparkle to the production. 

• First, Stage Manager Shay Holihan manages the cast and crew and assists the director which requires a mastered multitasker. 
• Choreographer Caitlin Beck’s dance numbers rival any Nutcracker performance with beautiful partner work including impressive lifts. 
• Jacob Olson’s scenic design is reminiscent of the Disney animated production and enables many chill bumps felt by the audience. 
• Ryan Moller’s costume design is filled with illusionary quick changes and tailored perfection. I especially enjoy Anna’s Arctic Apparel as she stumbles across the bitter terrain. 
• Dalton Hamilton’s light design accented the scenes and expertly evoked the proper emotions. 
• I’m always so impressed with the sound design at City Springs and Anthony Narisco has done it again, most recently providing the sound for Jersey Boys. Most people don’t realize what an Abominable Snowman sound can present, and like Yukon Cornelius, Anthony has tamed this beast and provided flawless fidelity. 
• Russ Williamson’s props were well crafted and enhanced each scene, especially the snowfall. 
• Bobbie Zlotnik’s wig design included illusions where Ana’s hair went from a mess to a neat updo in the blink of an eye (I don’t know how she did that). 
• Finally, the puppets by Scott Molampy and Geppetto Studios brought us a lifesize sweet Sven and an outstanding Olaf. 
• Each of these lead techs has an unsung crew underneath them that comes together to make the magic happen. Kudos to them as well!

Every actor in this performance gave their full 100% and then some. 

• Sarah Stipe as Elsa invoked a brilliant blizzard and created a flurry of excitement among the young Elsas in the audience. This part above all else demands strong vocals, and Sarah fit the bill and included expert acting skills. 
• Leigh Ellen Jones brought Anna to life with the character’s beloved spunky quirkiness. She’s a City Springs veteran and it was once again a delight to see her shine on stage. 
• Nick Walker Jones displayed his versatility as the veiled villain Hans and as another CSTC veteran who wowed us in Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, and Beauty and the Beast, did it once more. This is my favorite of his performances. 
• I adored Brian Wittenburg as Olaf and was impressed with his vocals and comedic timing. And while Ben Ohnemus as Sven didn’t say a word, his command of the full-body puppet said it all. All the patrons sitting around me commented on how adorable he was. 
• Megan K Hill and Alec Beard pulled double duty as Queen Iduna and King Agnarr and also members of the ensemble. They may have been the hardest working duo on stage with as many parts and costume changes they went through, which is the sign of consummate professionalism. 
• The remainder of the cast and crew added what every performance needs–a sense of community.  Another Key Noteworthy performance goes to Matthew Rhehlman as Oaken. I am ¼ Norwegian, and I’m sure my grandmother Agnes was smiling down from heaven with this tribute to the Nordic culture and their affinity for Saunas and Hygge. 

This show is a Speakeysie Hot Ticket, runs until December 29th, and many performances have sold out. There have been 2 added performances, and there are still a few tickets left, so I encourage you to click on  these words right now!! http://cityspringstheatre.com/