Theater Review: 'Disney's Frozen Jr.' by Bethany Spartan Players

By Nancy Sasso Janis

The Bethany Spartan Players of Amity Middle School Bethany will launch a very ambitious production of “Disney’s Frozen, Jr.” this weekend only. The show is presented with generous support from The Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation.

The musical includes memorable music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez set to the book written by Jennifer Lee. The show is based upon the wildly popular Disney film written by Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Lee. The original Broadway production was produced by Disney Theatrical Productions in 2018, with five new songs written for the Broadway musical. For the Junior version, music was adapted and arranged by Madeline Smith and the script was adapted (and shortened) by Sara Wordsworth.

I was invited to watch one of the final dress rehearsals, only the second time the middle school performers had worked while wearing their microphones. The Spartan Players’ production is lovingly directed by Andrea Kennedy and her choreography, designed with assistant choreographer Lilli Querker, shines. There are some unexpected special effects to enjoy.

Musical direction was provided by Dr. Keith Smolinski, a science teacher at the Middle School and a supremely talented musician. He made sure that the students sounded their best when singing along to the recorded musical tracks. Singing with recorded accompaniment requires that everyone listen closely to the music, and most of the students did just that at the rehearsal I attended.

The performers get to sing the expected musical numbers from the film version, including “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” “For the First Time in Forever,” “Love is an Open Door,” and Olaf’s “In Summer” in the first act, and “Fixer Upper,” and the iconic “Let It Go” in the second half.

Three actors play the leading characters of Anna and Elsa. Samantha Stark covers the role of Young Anna, Madelyn Brooks plays Middle Anna and Jane Nolan sings the role of the grown up version of Anna. Sharlotte Winter plays Young Elsa, Hana Maria Aboian portrays Middle Elsa, while Maeve Culbertson shines as the Ice Queen as an adult.

Adam Liu plays both King Agnarr, the father of the sisters, and Guard 2. Rosemary Wilkinson plays the girls’ mother Queen Iduna in a lovely gown. As the leaders of the Hidden Folk, Junia Croasmun is Pabbie and Grace Meacham plays Bulda. Colin Mann covers the roles of Oaken ("Hygge") and the Bishop.

Andrew Mordecai does well as the local ice harvester Kristoff, with Nathaniel Del Prete managing his unwieldy costume as the reindeer Sven. Alexios Selearis is a strong villain as the supporting role of Prince Hans. Kane D’Amico Jr. is quite adorable in the role of the magical snowman Olaf. Derek Melo plays Weselton, the arrogant Duke.

There are a very large number of middle school students that make up the busy ensemble, who play Townspeople, Castle Staff, “Summer” Chorus, Snow Chorus, the Oaken Family, Hidden Folk, and Ballroom Guests. '

I was most impressed with the beautiful costumes assembled by Costume Director Amy Benton. The students looked so good in all of their many costume changes and I looked forward to seeing what the ensemble members would be wearing the next time they entered the stage. Don’t miss the light up snowflake capes, the lovely floral wreaths and much more. Kudos to the costume crew for helping with the many changes, and everyone in the huge tech crew that keeps everything moving.

The set design by Matt Benton and others is charming in its simplicity. Everett Rende serves as lighting engineer and Robert Fragione was kept very busy as sound director. The program has grown from owning four microphones to allowing most of the principal actors to wear a mic. There are some lovely graphics that are projected on a screen at the back of the stage.

Marissa Nall served as the show’s producer. In the printed program, special thanks go out to the director’s husband and Amity High School Drama Teacher Rob Kennedy, as well as alumni Anna Edwards, Rohan Hebar and Victoria Pocwierz. If you leave early, you will miss the wonderfully choreographed curtain call. Also be sure to notice the lobby “winter wonderland” decoration that will be ready for opening night; Amy Benton is credited as the Lobby Decoration Chair. There is also a long list of parents that stepped up to serve on many parent committees that supported this production.

Kudos to the talented students and the adults that worked with them on an impressive production that is perfect for younger patrons. The members of the cast will be available after the performance to pose for photos. The musical is presented with one intermission for concessions. Performances are scheduled for Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 at a 2:00 p.m. matinee.