Dallas’ heat melts senses while ‘Frozen’ thaws hearts

By Shari Goldstein Stern

From the first notes of the orchestra’s swelling overture, followed by rhythmic vocals in tongue, it’s likely that “Frozen” has a connection to the same genius that brought Tony-winners “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” to Broadway and stages around the world. Disney, perhaps?

Disney’s Tony-nominated Best Musical opened by Broadway Dallas last week, although the Music Hall at Fair Park hasn’t seen the snowfall yet. But it is effortless to be drawn into the exquisite, chilled stage. 

Elsa, played by Caroline Bowman, and Anna, played by Lauren Nicole Chapman, are sisters and princesses. Elsa has the uncontrollable magical powers to freeze objects and people. Elsa flees after inheriting the throne. This causes the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter. It nearly kills her sister, Anna. Elsa must sacrifice and show true love to save the day. Kudos to puppet designer Michael Curry, who created the character who stole the show. He is a reindeer named Sven, who displays at least as much expression and humor as his fellow cast members. The two figures, likely men operating him from the inside, must either pay a masseuse, a chiropractor or both pretty well to make sure the actors can bend forward and stay that way for long periods without being plagued by pain during and following every performance. 

Sven’s big, expressive, life-like eyes keep patrons’ own eyes affixed while the audience giggles through every entrance. F. Michael Haynie, the talented puppeteer, also livens up the stage with every appearance of Olaf, the animated-like snowman who keeps the young snow queens in the audience delighted.

There are more “Ooohs” and “Ahhhs” to say before anything else about this feast for the eyes. The stage is more exquisite in every scene than the one before it. Crisp white ice contrasts with soft blues, setting off a refreshing, deep breath.

One scene, looking traditionally medieval, has costumes of autumn’s muted tones, like purples, rust, plums, olives and aubergine melding into a warm, cozy, fall blanket. The backdrops set off the deep wardrobe with gold-leaf detailing.

Bowman, as Elsa, is lovely. Blonde and pale, she sings the first act softly while hesitantly. After intermission, she turns up the heat in the frigid set with an energetic presence and matching vocals. Her gorgeous, pale face is also hard to take your eyes off, and her luscious costumes use a lot of fabric. She has some extra-large snowshoes to fill in this role. The remarkable Idina Menzel created the part in the film with her hard to mistake, exquisite vocals. Bowman is an experienced actor who begins in the second act showing her dominance over the large stage and Music Hall theater as she makes them her own.

Graceful, lithe dancers flow across the stage as if floating on air in luscious, lissome costumes.

“Frozen” is simply breathtaking with a lovely story told by a company of talented actors, vocalists and dancers — many triple-threats. The production runs through August 7 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. For information and tickets, visit broadwaydallas.org.