Photos by Nicki Behm
—Jan Farrington
It’s all here, straight from the original Disney musical of 2013: the two princesses, big sister and little sister, growing up in a castle that holds a secret about one of them. The games, the chases, the loving parents, the little snowman they create with Elsa’s magic…and the sudden, sad accident of that magic that pulls them apart.
A Casa Mañana opening night audience of kids, teens and parent/grandparent tagalongs cheered the wonderful performances of two pairs Elsa’s & Anna’s: Lana Gatlin and Ella Butler as the young princesses, and Leandra Ellis-Gaston and Sydney Dotson as the grown versions. The end of Act One, with special effects blazing and Dotson raising the roof with the epic song “Let It Go” was the peak of the night, with tiny princess-clad girls perched in Dad’s arms and doing their best to levitate toward the stage.
It was something to see and hear.
Of course, there was another whole act to go after intermission, and a great many twisty-turny plot points that even in the original movie seemed like tough sledding for some younger viewers. For one thing, the show’s much-expanded song list (8 movie songs become almost 20 for the musical) adds time, but not a lot else: the original numbers are still the best of the bunch. On the other hand, some new “pop” numbers, and dances to go with them, seemed to excite the teens around me, so perhaps things even out.
If I had a piece of advice for adults bringing smaller kids: save some treats for Act Two, when interest levels may shrink as the plot gets more complicated. At the end, happily, there’s plenty of lively dancing, singing, and sister hugs & kisses…and the little guys and gals perked up to wave wands and loudly cheer the cast until their Elsa wigs tried to fall off.
All in all, Casa’s quality production of the Broadway Frozen has plenty to recommend it. More than half the cast are Equity players (always a good sign of a “pro” company), and it shows in the many standout performances.
We’ve mentioned the four Elsa/Anna characters onstage, and can’t help but mention them again: Gatlin as young Elsa holds her own as a mix of child and almost-adult, her lovely seriousness and care for little Anna a touching way to begin this story. Buckner as young Anna is, as she says herself, a “tornado” of action, a darling, non-stop rascal whose sense of trust in the love surrounding her is suddenly broken—and we feel the sadness of it.
The two older versions of the sisters carry the weight of years and tragedy, but never lose their ability to show flashes of their earlier, happier relationship. And can they act the parts! Ellis-Gaston’s rich, resonant singing voice pulls our hearts toward the troubled Elsa, and Dotson’s goofy gift for comedy brings the older (but still rascally) Anna to vibrant life. (It’s worth noting that Ellis-Gaston is coming off a run as Sugar — the Marilyn Monroe part — in the national tour of Some Like it Hot, and that Dotson’s been seen at Casa as two other Disney princesses, Ariel and Belle!)
Among the many other top performances are: David Postlewate as Olaf (both puppet and puppeteer)—between the two of them, “they” create a character who steals every scene they’re in … Justin Showell as a warm, down-to-earth Kristoff (gotta love a guy who loves a reindeer) … Logan Rafanelli as the dastardly Weselton, preening and singing his way to the top of the heap in Arendelle, with a ‘30s Disney villain-stache you can’t miss) … Paul Schwensen as 13th son Hans (w/ a grand voice), whose number Elsa has right off … Simon Kowalski as Oaken the store/spa keeper, a tuneful one-man sales force—and making the most of his stage time … and though I still don’t like the add-on plot, both Braxton O. Johnson and Kayla Haskins as leaders of the “hidden folk”—mountain rescue specialists who build into lively characters with a side line as wedding planners. (You’ll need to see it all.)
Kudos to music director/conductor Jesse Warkentin and the live orchestra (great music, sound, balance), and the enormous production staff. Music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, story/book by Jennifer Lee. Runs under the Dome through November 15, followed quickly by Casa’s production of A Christmas Carol.
In the end, perhaps the best thing about this musical version (it’s my first time seeing it) is that it keeps the heart and soul of what made the original Frozen movie such a global hit: the tender, strong, tested-and-true relationship between two sisters who find that “A Little Bit of You (and Me)” — working out life together — is something to be treasured.
WHEN: November 7-15, 2026
WHERE: Casa Mañana, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth
WEB: https://casamanana.org/
