Disney's Frozen, Jr.

The Children's Theatre Project of The Community Players of Concord, NH presents Disney's Frozen, Jr. Featuring a talented cast of 38 youth ages 9 to 17, directed by Karen Braz, this is the young actor's version of the wildly popular Disney animated film and Broadway musical. It tells the tale of Princess Elsa, her struggle with her magic powers, and how the unrelenting love of her sister Anna saves them both. All the story's well-known characters join the fun, including Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, Prince Hans, Olaf, the magical snowman and the many inhabitants of the magical kingdom of Arendelle! Two performances only: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 pm and Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 pm. Reserved seating at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord, NH. Tickets $15,with a $2 per ticket discount for purchases prior to 10/16/19. Information and tickets available at www.communityplayersofconcord.org or by contacting Box Office chair David Murdo at nhdm40@comcast.net or (603) 344-4747. Box office hours: Oct. 16-18 4:30-7:30 pm, Oct. 19 12:00 - 2:00 pm.

Frozen was a fantastically popular movie that premiered in 2013, smashing box office records for animated films and garnering myriad awards, including Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original song, and multiple Golden Globe, Grammy Awards and more. It was later adapted for the Broadway Stage where it premiered in 2018. The shortened “Jr.” version of the musical includes many of the movie’s best known songs, includingLet It Go,Fixer Upper, andIn Summer, while adding a few extra songs for good measure. This Children’s Theatre Project (“CTP”) production presents all of that toe-tapping music (and actual toe tapping, from a talented group of tap dancers), and a story familiar to many children and their parents, given the tremendous popularity of this Disney favorite.

This CTP production is the area premiere of Frozen, Jr. and was a huge draw for young auditioners. So many tried out, including a good number of high school aged actors, that Director Braz found she could have cast the show twice. Alas, that was not a viable option. Braz knows there is a lot that audiences will like – definitely the music, dancing, comedy and drama, plus many colorful characters, including a royal family, a visiting prince, magical trolls, an “almost talking” reindeer and an enchanted snowman who thinks he loves summer. Braz also finds that kids appreciate the characters and their personal stories, which make the themes of self acceptance, loyalty and selfless love ring loud and strong. “I think many kids can really identify with Elsa, who struggles to come to terms with who she really is,” Braz says. “And we all can admire and learn from Anna’s loyalty and unflinching love for her sister, even when she doesn’t understand at first why her sister is shutting her out. It’s that kind of ‘true love’ that ultimately saves them and their world, not the fairy tale kind of ‘true love’," Braz points out. "Parents in particular tend to like the way this show both enjoys and cuts through many of the typical fairy tale tropes.”

Braz has (and needs!) plenty of help with this gigantic production; her veteran team includes a music director, producer, at least four seasoned costumers, set and lighting designers, props managers, a choreographer, a dance captain and assistant dance captain, stage manager, assistant stage manager and more. It takes a village to bring the Kingdom of Arendelle to life. With all this buzz, it’s clear that the Concord City Auditorium will be a magical place when Frozen, Jr. takes the stage on October 18th and 19th. In fact, Olaf the Snowman guarantees it.