***** The Paramount Theatre in Aurora has done it again! They have become the first regional theater in the Midwest to get the rights to “Disney’s Frozen”, and what a wonderful production they have put on their stage. Under the quality direction of Trent Stork with choreography by Tiffany Krause, the Paramount has taken this musical to a level that  will make this a memory for every audience member who attends. Based on the animated film, and inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tale, “The Snow Queen”, with a book by Jennifer Lee,this is a powerful story about two sisters, their powers, their friendship, their characters, their love for each other and their ability to adjust to what life brings to them.

This story has music by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and of course features the blockbuster hit, “Let It Go” that ends act one and becomes part of the curtain call. While the stage version follows the story it is a little different to have live performers instead of animated drawings, and Stork has found a way to make the animated “stars” come to life. The puppetry portions of the show (designed by Jesse Mooney-Bullock) are terrific. Adam Fane plays Sven and this reindeer truly looks real. Olaf, the snowman that was built by the sisters when they were young is played to perfection by Ryan Stajmiger, who even though he is on stage with the puppet, seems to blend in with the character.

Credit: Liz Lauren

The girls are played by  Avelyn Choi  as Young Anna. and Genevieve Jane as young Elsa. These roles are also played by alternates Everleigh Murphy (Elsa) and Elowen Murphy(Anna). They start the story and we learn a great deal about Elsa’s magical powers. Her powers are such that she traps the entire city into a frozen community. The spell must be broken and Elsa ( Emily Kristen Morris is magnificent, and when she delivers “Let It Be”, the entire sold out audience was in shock at the glorious way this scene was handled)must be  found. It is younger sister, Anna ( played to perfection by Beth Stafford Laird) who travels with her friends, Olaf ,Sven and Kristoff ( deftly handled by Christian Andres) to find her.