“Frozen Junior” Special Gifts Theatre reviewed by Julia W. Rath

The Tuesday cast of the Musical Theatre Winnetka Program of Special Gifts’ Theatre performed in Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” to a virtual audience on Vimeo during the weekend of the March 6-7, 2021. With a script adapted by Sara Wordsworth and music orchestrations adapted and arranged by Madeline Smith, this prerecorded virtual adaptation of the Disney film was initially recorded on Zoom and subsequently edited for video. The entire show was closed captioned.

Meg Wanland, the program manager for the Winnetka Musical Theatre Program introduced this original adaptation and explained how Special Gifts’ Theatre (SGT) is “a lot about adaptation.” “Our students and peer mentors did an amazing job of adapting to Zoom and bringing their characters to life.” She also thanked District 36 and Skokie School for their continued partnership and support. Her introduction was succeeded by that of Nate Buursma, the production manager at the Winnetka location, who explained just how SGT is a lot like the theme of the movie “Frozen.” “Be proud of your special gift,” he said. “Elsa has this ability to make ice and snow with her hands, and that’s what makes her unique and awesome. Our actors also have very special gifts and different abilities and that’s what makes them amazing!”

Buursma went on to describe that the performers this year were going to try out role sharing, meaning that different people were going to be playing the same roles so that each can get the part they wanted to play. The actors playing a given role can always be identified by the fact that they are wearing almost the same costume. “For example, Olaf will always have that carrot nose. Sven will always have his reindeer antlers!” Since cast members rotated roles and played more than one role, I will simply list their names: Blake Banas, Quinn Campbell, Spencer Campbell, Stacy Dodd, Maddy Gillespie, Robyn Gray, Sean Grynberg, Will Karp, Kelly Kogen, Nick Kotsinis, Erin Mallicoat, Saaraa Merchant, Josie Mueller, Nico Mueller, Sarah Quinn, Mark Shaw, and Macey Staff.

There was usually one performer per Zoom box, but oftentimes siblings shared a box. Peer mentors (who serve as acting coaches) usually coached from separate boxes; though on occasion, they were in the same room as the performer in a socially distanced way. Peer mentors included: Lexi Cadkin, Claire Cohen, Liam Gillespie, Lily Ingram, Sofia Martinez, Malika Merchant, Fiona O’Sullivan, Zoe Raptis, Isabella Rechtin, Juliette Rechtin, Peyton Reisman, Sydney Robenstein, Ruthie Schweidel, Emerson Singer, Lily Welch, Ellie Wilens, and Brooke Waltenburg.

One of the highlights of the show was when Erin Mallicoat, one of the actors who played Elsa, created her own special song called “Frozen in Time.” With the help of staff, she was able to add her meaningful words to a lovely melody, which she sang during the performance. The song describes the many challenges of the disabled. She applauds the work of the theatre company in giving her a voice. “Because of now, all my troubles are frozen in time.”

As Elsa’s special gift grows stronger as time goes on, her talent becomes harder to conceal. There is a saying, “Don’t hide your light under a bushel.” So it goes with both the performers and the peer mentors. Everybody needs to further their own abilities whether they are disabled or not, in line with the theatrer’s motto: “Embrace your own uniqueness.” Special Gifts Theatre brings out the talents of each and every child and for that we are very grateful.

The Wednesday cast of the Musical Theatre Winnetka Program of Special Gifts’ Theatre will perform in the same musical adaptation of “Frozen Jr.” online during the weekend of March 13-14, 2021.

Tickets are: $15 for each online performance, but there are many options available, such as family viewing and subscription packages.

For more information on this show and how you can purchase tickets, please go to: https://specialgiftstheatre.org/tickets-for-upcoming-shows/.

For general information on Special Gifts Theatre, future shows, and their programs in Winnetka, Palatine, and Libertyville—and how to become a student or a peer mentor—visit https://specialgiftstheatre.org or email info@SpecialGiftsTheatre.org or call 847-564-7704.

Due to the pandemic, Special Gifts Theatre cannot host live performances at this time and is thus experiencing a loss in revenue. In order to boost the box office, please consider making a donation in any amount. If you wish you can honor of a performer or loved one, that generosity may find its way into a commercial within the larger performance. Please go to: www.SpecialGiftsTheatre.org/donate to find out how you can help. You can also donate by texting SGT to 44-321.