I’m sure I am not alone in recalling the childhood wonder of curling up with a beautifully illustrated book of Grimm’s Fairytales and the like. There was a special enchantment in being transported to magical kingdoms in the far-off lands of our imagination. So it was that last weekend was the perfect opportunity to revisit such mysterious and wondrous places, right on the stage of the Nancy Bock Center for the Performing Arts here in The Woodlands, Texas. And it was no surprise that such magic would be created by producer, Keith Brumfield’s legendary Class Act Productions youth theatre company, now in its 23rd season of making musical theater magic several times each year. The vehicle for this latest success is the already very popular story of Disney’s Frozen, presented here in the “JR.” edition designed especially for young performers. The enormous and talented cast of fifty-five singing and dancing youngsters was beautifully directed by Stacy Jones, with outstanding Musical Direction from Debra Moses, and sensational dance designs from Choreographer, Mieka Phillips. The elegant and very magical costumes of designer, Romy McCloskey were the “icing on the cake” of this beautiful production. With the music and lyrics of Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, and a book by Jennifer Lee, the story of Frozen takes place in the kingdom of Arendelle, ruled by Queen Iduna (Arden Blake) and King Agnarr (Henry McCloskey). The show opens splendidly with the beautifully staged, “Let the Sun Shine On,” and we see the first of many scenes in no need of extensive scenic design because the Disney package includes amazing and colorful projections. They’re on a full back wall the equal of a theater movie screen. That gloriously costumed opening number was full of lovely singing and charming ribbon dancing. Based on the 2013 Disney film of the same name, the real magic here enters the picture when we meet the royal couple’s two daughters, Young Elsa (Fiona Monreal), and Young Anna (Tori Rouswell). It is with their appearance that dangerous magical powers begin to complicate the plot, because the older princess, Elsa, has the frightening ability to freeze anything or anyone that comes under her magic spell. A sweet duet of “A Little Bit of You” offers a delicate snowflake ballet with featured dancers including Tiffany Twellman (Captain), Arden Blake, Shea McLeod, Addyson Phillips, and Lindsey Twellman. Mischievous Anna coaxes her sister into making snow, and they create a very animated snowman named Olaf (spryly played by Peyton Jones). But the magic backfires as Anna is seriously injured and the sisters are separated in the palace. Events move so quickly that the girls age right before us, as Grace Ann Jones plays “Middle Elsa,” and Cassidy Buday plays “Middle Anna.” The king and queen are tragically lost in a shipwreck at sea before we finally meet the grown Anna (Coral Petillo), and the grown Elsa (Mady Tozer), now reaching her 21st birthday when she can be crowned as queen. Coronation Day is celebrated with “For the First Time in Forever.” The cheerful singing and dancing of the palace staff, and more stunning projection magic, creates the convincing illusion of the ceremonial chapel. Anna is smitten with the arrival of handsome Prince Hans (Oliver Tipler), and their sweet song, “Love is an Open Door,” is perfected by the gorgeous surrounding dancing of the ensemble. Before the first act concludes, a bright-eyed and beaming young actor named Matthew Hernandez arrived looking very at home in the amusing role of Kristoff, an ice merchant with a friendly reindeer named Sven. (Delightfully played by a mystery actor apparently uncredited in the printed program). The pair’s charming duet is a silly delight, followed by a sudden transition from the frozen world as Olaf, the snowman, imagines a tropical world “In Summer.” That world explodes with colorful costumes, gay parasols, and splendid singing from Miss Jones and the great Show Chorus Singers anchoring the production, and nicely closing out Act One on a high note. Act Two would immediately be full of pleasures of its own, beginning with the Germanic folk dance flavors of the merry and dazzling opening number, “Hygge,” deliciously led by Oliver Tipler in the role of Oaken, the owner of Wandering Oaken's Trading Post & Sauna. The catchy tune featuring the complex choreography of the dancers whirling concentric circles, and an emerging high-kick line calling to mind the Rockettes, was simply a pure joy to witness. If that was not enough happiness, it was quickly followed by Miss Tozer’s splendid delivery of the show’s iconic and best-know tune, “Let It Go,” which was beautifully embraced by stardust, snow showers, Northern Lights and the graceful ballet dancing of the cast. My one regret was that the beautiful cast & production publicity photos usually made available by Class Act Productions were not forthcoming. Nevertheless, I found myself thinking back to the Act One song, “Dangerous to Dream,” and considering how that notion has never been a problem for Class Act founder, Keith Brumfield. He’s clearly in his 23rd year of fearlessly making dreams come true. Bravo!
