REVIEW: Spectacular Spotlight production Melts Hearts With Disney’s “Frozen”
Aside from being familiar with the earworm “Let It Go,” and admirer of much of the leading voice cast of the Disney animated blockbuster “Frozen,” I came into Sunday’s Spotlight Theatre production of the 2018 stage musical knowing very little about the show.
As a friend of mine also in the nearly sold-out audience (in the big 500-seat theater) remarked, I am clearly not in the IP’s target demographic – young women and girls. Indeed, at last Sunday’s matinee, excitement fairly buzzed in the crowd, which included many little girls dressed up as the “Frozen” queen Elsa, who rules over Arendelle. As a Broadway superfan, I have long admired the original 2013 film’s lead actors – Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Santino Fontina.
After the hit movie earned $1.3 billion at the box office, a Broadway stage version was inevitable (as many other Disney film musicals have made the transition). It opened in 2018 with music and lyrics by husband-and-wife team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, and Spotlight co-owner Sara Tubbs heads the herculean task of bringing the show to its Quad Cities premiere, as director, and she succeeds spectacularly. Her top-notch team of women (natch) leading the effort includes music director Randin Letendre (the orchestral accompaniment is pre-recorded tracks), choreographer Bethany Sanders, and expert costumer/puppeteer Sara Wegener, who is marking her 75th production here as stylish, spot-on costume designer.
Kirsten Sindelar, left, Grace Wiborg, Callen Sederquist, and Jorge Mendez in Spotlight’s “Frozen.”
The well-known story centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses, Elsa and Anna. Elsa has magical powers to create snow and ice, which she does not know how to control. After inheriting the throne, Elsa flees, and is fittingly (though mysteriously) cold and cruel to Anna. She inadvertently causes the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter, and nearly kills her sister. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home.
Elsa struggles to control her monstrous powers, and must sacrifice and show true love to save the day. Ironically, the ice princess melts our hearts.
Molly Strickler, left, and Vella Peiper play young Elsa and young Anna in Spotlight’s “Frozen.”
Heading this consistently solid, energetic ensemble are the perfectly cast Kirsten Sindelar as Elsa, and Callen Sederquist as Anna. I also have long been fans of both women in their QC theatrical careers, and had the pleasure of accompanying Kirsten last year as a lead in the spring Music Guild show, “Escape to Margaritaville.” As a devoted fan of Disney princesses (and having played Jane in Spotlight’s “Tarzan”), I knew Sindelar was made to be Elsa, her dream role, and she obviously is having the time of her life, and pulls out all the stops here.
Kirsten Sindelar, left, Grace Wiborg, Callen Sederquist, and Jorge Mendez in Spotlight’s “Frozen.”
Compared to Sederquist’s more cute, perky and relatable Anna, Sindelar is appropriately more removed, regal and authoritative as Elsa, and when the two blend their glorious voices, the effect is heavenly. The anthemic, stirring “Let It Go” at the close of Act I is Sindelar’s obvious moment to shine, and it’s thrillingly triumphant and exhilarating, a literal showstopper. Sunday’s audience was with her all the way, and let out a roar when she ditched her cape and revealed Elsa’s dazzling, sparkling turquoise gown.
A scene from Spotlight Theatre’s “Frozen,” running through Aug. 16.
Sederquist has spread her musical wings in impressive roles at Moline’s Music Guild, and is a natural here in her Spotlight debut. She shares some lovely scenes with Tyler Henning, who plays the (initially) charming and handsome prince Hans, and their duet “Love is an Open Door,” is jaunty, irresistible and adorable. It’s preceded by one of many ensemble highlights, “Dangerous to Dream,” during Elsa’s coronation as queen, with a very cool, stately, reverential performance by the chorus.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Spotlight version is Tubbs’s use of rear-screen projections, which occasionally has been a regular feature at Spotlight. It quickly, easily adds atmosphere to most scenes, whether they are panoramic vistas of snowcapped mountains, falling snow, castles, or cathedral-like settings. The use of motion pictures with waterfalls or storms adds a lot to the setting, and one interior with a roaring fireplace in Act II cleverly includes Hans throwing water to put out a fire, and then Olaf re-starting it. There also many instances of dry ice and artificial snow falling on stage, which help complete the “Frozen” look.
A scene from the QC premiere of “Frozen,” at Spotlight Theatre, directed by Sara Tubbs.
Jorge Mendez is very good as the sympathetic iceman Kristoff, who accompanies Anna on her search for Elsa. I’m not sure whether it was on purpose, but he could be a double for co-creator Robert Lopez, who is one of the select group to win the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), and the only person to have won all four awards more than once, having won two Oscars, three Tonys, three Grammys, and four Emmys. Other hit musicals he’s collaborated on are “Book of Mormon” and “Avenue Q.”
Callen Sederquist and Tyler Hennng as Anna and Hans in “Frozen.”
The colorful, enthusiastic Spotlight cast includes Grace Wiborg as snowman Olaf (who carries the familiar character in front of her), and Zoe Zelnio as reindeer Sven (whose head is in the middle of his body, and she doesn’t really do his voice). Doug Alderman is the playful Oaken, who did the pre-show introduction, and leads the fun-loving Act II opener, “Hygge.” That word is a Danish and Norwegian concept that embodies coziness, comfort, and contentment.
That premise is a theme for the whole “Frozen” franchise, where love can help melt the coldest of hearts, and conquer power-hungry evil. Spotlight will conclude its performances this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., at 1800 7th Ave., Moline. Tickets are $24-$30, available HERE.
Kirsten Sindelar stars as Queen Elsa in “Frozen” at Spotlight Theatre, Moline.
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