Disney’s Frozen, the Musical opened at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter MI this week and it is a beautiful holiday treat for the entire family.
Directed by Dan Cooney, the production quickly flies through the show with impeccable vocals, a great orchestra, lovely sets, and a great well-known story. You have a sense of getting to know these characters which are more fleshed out in the stage version, but Cooney knows how to keep the tale flowing with no gaps. Told in cinematic style, the action flows beautifully on Sarah Tanner’s intricate Rubik’s Cube set consisting of multiple panels that slide in and out, augmented by some wonderful projections as well as floor lighting. Stripped down to smaller stage proportions, I did not miss the large Broadway set pieces (even though that ice bridge was ultra cool looking) instead enjoying this version for its own lovely visual merits.
Three sets of young Elsas and Annas rotate for each performance, Emerson Davis and Arianna Berlongieri were swell at my Friday night performance. Vanessa Dominguez plays a formidable Elsa, while Madeline Dick is an energetic and personable Anna. Conor Jordan is all swagger and bravado as Hans, and Nicholas Alexander Wilkinson II is a charming Kristoff. Vaughn Louks controls a masterful Reindeer Sven (an outstanding body puppet by The Rock Shop) while Ash Moran is delightful operating Olaf the Snowman (another outstanding puppet).
Also terrific in supporting roles are Sarah Stevens as Queen/Weselton, David Moan in multiple roles, and the entire cast which is professional and pitch perfect.
As to the show itself, it is padded out with additional songs, none of which are better than any of the original movie songs, but all of which are tuneful and creative. It still clocks in at 2:10 including the intermission. Choreographer Liana Wise and Musical Director R. Mackenzie Lewis have done excellent work. Abby Sage Hall has created lovely costumes. The offstage 10-piece orchestra sounds terrific.
This is a delightful and creative musical for the entire family for this holiday season. Perhaps fittingly, it was 7 degrees outside on show night, but inside everything was warm and happy.
Frozen runs through January 11th but get your tickets soon – online at theencoretheatre.org or by calling 734-268-6200.
Highly Recommended
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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