Director Alex Timbers Departs Broadway-Bound FROZEN Musical; Christopher Gattelli Boards as Choreographer

Variety reports exclusively that director Alex Timbers has exited the highly anticipated Broadway-bound adaptation of Disney's FROZEN.

In a statement, Thomas Schumacher, the president and producer of Disney Theatrical Production commented: "Making the tough calls when creating a new Broadway musical is never easy, but this was especially painful. Alex Timbers is one of the most exciting and innovative theater directors I know, and we've proudly worked with him from my support of the early development of 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' through our work together on 'Peter and the Starcatcher.' Though we have chosen to go in another direction with this role, we are committed to seeing 'Frozen's' tremendous theatrical potential brought to life onstage."

As of now, a replacement for Timbers has not been named. It remains unclear whether his departure will affect the production's scheduled pre-Broadway run at Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the summer 2017, ahead of a spring 2018 opening on Broadway.

Timbers co-directed the Tony-winning play PETER AND THE STARCATCHER and most recently, THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM and HERE LIES LOVE. Earlier this year, he helmed a developmental lab of FROZEN, featuring Betsy Wolf as Elsa, Patti Murin as Anna and Okieriete Onaodowan as Kristoff. It is unclear whether today's announcement is a result of creative differences.

Several months ago, choreographer Peter Darling also departed FROZEN's creative team, citing scheduling conflicts. According to an Actors Equity casting notice posted yesterday for a FROZEN development lab to be held in New York City this fall, Christopher Gattelli (NEWSIES, KING AND I) will take over as choreographer. The hit film's creator Jennifer Lee will pen the book for the show while Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who received Oscars for the film's hit song "Let It Go," will compose the show's full score. Bob Crowley (set and costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design) and Stephen Oremus (musical director) will round out the creative team.

While not yet confirmed by Disney Theatricals, the production is believed to wind up at New York's St. James Theater, currently the home of SOMETHING ROTTEN.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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