Opening night of Disney's Frozen dazzles theater-starved fans

From the producers of The Lion King and Aladdin, Disney’s Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, began its exclusive 11-week premiere engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph), Friday night, October 19. Every seat was filled and when the VOG (voice of God) announced, "Welcome back to the theater", the crowd erupted with applause.

It was a thrilling night on every level--a return to live theater, hearing a live orchestra and seeing a full house of smiling faces including so many adorable young girls dressed as the productions' main characters-- Elsa and Anna.

The production quality was off the charts with every scene more dramatic and spectacular than the one before--Elsa's dress being whisked away before your eyes as if by magic to reveal a stunning, sparkling evening gown underneath. Lightning bolts, sets filled with falling snow, an Alpine village complete with smoking chimneys, palace scenes with elaborate twinkling candelebra, characters turning into living statues and so much more. The visuals were jaw-dropping and this is even before reindeer Sven's and Olaf's thrilling appearances.  

Frozen emerged as the biggest musical hit during last year's Broadway season, breaking four St. James Theatre house records and placing in the top 10 best-selling shows every week since opening in March 2018. It features songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards.

Caroline Bowman stars as Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler as Anna. The entire cast can do it all, sing, dance, act but the performances by the two Annas, older and younger (played by Olivia Jones on opening night) stole the show, in my opinion.

The production tells the story of a mysterious secret. A family torn apart. As one sister struggles with being an outsider and harnessing her powers within, the other sets out on a thrilling adventure to bring her family together once again. Both are searching for love, but they’ll learn that to find it they’ll have to look inside themselves first.

Frozen, a Broadway in Chicago production is a must-see, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, now through January 22. Tickets start at $33. (For tickets, more info, visit, broadwayinchicago.com)

(Oh, and the selection of Frozen gift items in the lobby would make perfect Christmas presents and thrill the hearts of both young and old fans!)