The 2013 Animated film, Frozen, is set to have a production in Denver this summer, and then is transferring to Broadway next spring. Disney Theatrical Productions decided who they are casting for the various characters. Caissie Levy will play Elsa and Patti Murin will play Anna in the musical adaptation. Levy appeared in five previous Broadway productions including a revival of “Les Miserables” as Fantine and “Lysistrata Jones” which lasted only a short time but was very well reviewed. Murin has been involved with the Frozen production since the beginning of its development while Levy is a fairly new addition. Other decided cast members include Jelani Alladin as Kristoff, Greg Hildreth as Olaf, John Riddle as Hans and Robert Creighton as the Duke of Weselton. The production will be directed by Michael Grandage and choreographed by Rob Ashford. These two men are replacing the previous director and choreographer who decided to part ways with Disney. The music feautured in the production will be the same music used in the film and written by the married couple, Robert and Kristen Lopez who composed the film score. The film, “Frozen”, inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Snow Queen”, was a huge hit with the general public as well as with Academy Awards. I believe this should probably put tremendous pressure on the directors of the stage adaptation as they have big shoes to fill. “Frozen” is scheduled to run from Aug. 17 to Oct. 1 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
I love the movie and now I wish I could see the musical. I can’t wait till it goes on Broadway.