Frozen Jr.
Acting For Young People
Photo credits: Michael Chapman and Suz Redfearn
In the shadows of a frozen kingdom, the spirited cast and crew were bursting with sunlight.
This joyous production of Frozen Jr, sponsored by Acting For Young People, rekindled the memories of a movie that undoubtedly shaped our generation. They redefined the characters we know and love, and brought new life to the tunes we grew up hearing on repeat.
Acting For Young People
Founded by Mary Lechter in 1997, Acting For Young People is a non-profit company that provides theatre experiences for young artists of all ages. They’re part of the Mason Community Arts Academy, and perform right on the campus of George Mason University.
Each fall and spring showcase contains multiple casts, with age brackets ranging from 5-6 all the way up to 13-18. Rehearsals take place on Saturdays over the course of a few months, and draw performers from all over the DMV. For the sake of this review, I saw the advanced (AKA oldest) cast with performers ranging in ages from 13-18.
Acting For Young People also holds multiple workshop-based programs throughout the summer. Visit afyp.org for more information.
Standout Performances
Right from the opening number, Catie Morton and Celia Hershaft filled the stage with warmth as Young Anna and Young Elsa. With playful handshakes and cheeky giggles, the audience got a glimpse into the joyous childhood of the later-separated princesses. Their performance of “A Little Bit of You” was especially charming, as Morton and Hershaft innocently built Olaf the snowman while singing in harmony.
Once the sisters grew, Cam Carter and Angelica Emord transformed the plucky girls into polarized young women. Carter’s portrayal of Anna began with excitement and plenty of courage, as she twirled across the stage in a vocally-rich rendition of “For the First Time in Forever.” Angelica Emord contrasted her sister’s sunny demeanor, and began her characterization of Elsa by tightly clutching her hands: the portrait of a soon-to-be queen ridden with anxiety. As events unfold and snow continues to fall (or in this case, gracefully dance in a choreographed number), the sisters both transform. Anna is forced to face the harsh realities of the world beyond the castle gates, and Elsa learns to embrace the freedom of living without constraints. This evolution truly reaches its peak when the sisters confront one another in “For the First Time in Forever (Reprise),” where Carter and Emord’s strong vocals intertwine in parallel to their rising emotions. By the end of the show, the sisters’ final reconciliation was certainly sweet enough to melt a few hearts.
Another standout was Lucas Schnotala as the twisted Hans. While he began the production with a polite, respectful demeanor, Schnotala was quick to unmask Hans’s true character once Elsa fled. He revealed his greedy intentions to Anna with a malicious smirk, which cemented his conniving nature.
Sarah Dakin was the adorable Olaf. She presented her own spin on the classic snowman, and her constant smile radiated with childlike innocence. Dakin skillfully navigated the snowman’s mature side, as well, when Olaf sweetly comforted Anna near the end of the show and taught her the true meaning of love.
No kingdom is without its people, and the ensemble filled the snowy mountains of Arendelle with life. Whether they mingled together as coronation guests or danced gracefully as wisps of snow, the entire cast was totally immersed in the scene. Even still, performers found the space to establish their own unique characters. Charlotte Fay, Grace Verne, and Abby Kavinski conveyed a sense of earthy wisdom as the trolls, whereas Ryan Lynch flaunted the Duke of Weselton’s larger-than-life personality. Each actor weaved their individuality into the fabric of Arendelle, and remained invested during every scene.
Who is it For?
Whether you grew up with the frozen movies or just have younger siblings who can’t stop singing “Let it Go,” this production of Frozen Jr rekindled a sense of childhood magic for all ages. Not only that, but it reminded us of the true meaning of love.
I’d recommend it for all ages, but especially younger kids who grew up with the movies. I can certainly tell you that watching the show with my younger sister added a whole new level of sweetness to the story.
If you’re a young performer and looking to grow your skills in a supportive, encouraging environment, I highly recommend checking out Acting For Young People’s programs; each cast clearly becomes a tight-knit community. Visit www.afyp.org for more information.