FROZEN to Arrive on Broadway in Spring 2018

[neonlightsxo]

adamgreer said: "The two standbys are significantly more interesting casting than the two women they're covering for. "

 

Truth!!

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Truly, though!

[Sondheimite]

Aside from the understudies, what an boring and OLD cast.  Patti Murin is on the end side of 30 and, frankly, looks way too old to play Anna.  Boring, boring, boring. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

She's 36.

[Sondheimite]

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "She's 36.

 

"

Woops!  Typo, I meant to say other side of 30!  Thank you!

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I'm happily surprised at the diversity in the cast--multiple POC in the ensemble. Thank you, Disney.

[ozjust4]

If I find myself in NYC, I'll try to attend a standby performance because I am sorry but I also think Murin and Levy are not age appropriate for the roles and if they say anything about their characters being 18 or 21, I am going to die laughing. Also, Alyssa Fox is my favorite Elphaba that I have seen and I adore her.

[JennH]

ozjust4 said: "If I find myself in NYC, I'll try to attend a standby performance because I am sorry but I also think Murin and Levy are not age appropriate for the roles and if they say anything about their characters being 18 or 21, I am going to die laughing. Also, Alyssa Fox is my favorite Elphaba that I have seen and I adore her.

 

"

Alyssa is over 30 so...

[ozjust4]

JennH said: "ozjust4 said: "If I find myself in NYC, I'll try to attend a standby performance because I am sorry but I also think Murin and Levy are not age appropriate for the roles and if they say anything about their characters being 18 or 21, I am going to die laughing. Also, Alyssa Fox is my favorite Elphaba that I have seen and I adore her.

 

"

Alyssa is over 30 so...

 

"

Alyssa can read younger though, Patti & Caissie look their age.

[VintageSnarker]

oncemorewithfeeling2 said: "I'm happily surprised at the diversity in the cast--multiple POC in the ensemble. Thank you, Disney.

I agree. I hope none of the parents make a fuss if they get one or both of the standbys. Sorry, my optimism is feeling a little crushed lately. 

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Has there been any fuss over the multi-cultural casting of the version that runs at the theme park (I think it's in California Adventure)? If the theme park crowds can handle it I'm sure the Broadway crowds will be equally ok with seeing a cast that's not as lily-white as the movie version.

[Valentina3]

VintageSnarker said: "oncemorewithfeeling2 said: "I'm happily surprised at the diversity in the cast--multiple POC in the ensemble. Thank you, Disney.

I agree. I hope none of the parents make a fuss if they get one or both of the standbys. Sorry, my optimism is feeling a little crushed lately."

I doubt it will happen because the understudies are not white, the fuss would come from them being understudies. I worked as an usher at our local theater when Lion King was in town for 2 months - and I never once saw patrons being upset about understudies. I don't think kids care that much unless they know the cast members through videos etc., and parents would hopefully be reasonable. I think we can safely say that Frozen audience members would be mostly parents who will take their kids and don't care who they see all that much.

Alyssa Fox is a phenomenal performer. I didn't know anything about her when I saw her go as Elphaba when Wicked was touring. I was very upset because I had been looking forward to seeing Wicked for a good 10 months at that point, but she had me completely in the palm of her hand after "The Wizard & I".

I keep thinking about the Denee Benton's interview where she refers to the little black girl who came up to her at stage door and exclaimed that she didn't realize black girls could be princesses. I'm very happy for all black girls who'd get a chance to see Alisha. Here's hoping for a better generation.

[adamgreer]

AEA AGMA SM said: "Has there been any fuss over the multi-cultural casting of the version that runs at the theme park (I think it's in California Adventure)? If the theme park crowds can handle it I'm sure the Broadway crowds will be equally ok with seeing a cast that's not as lily-white as the movie version.

 

No, not that I'm aware of. But it's California. Their clientele is very different than the clientele down here at the Florida parks. 

[ggersten]

Just got our tix for late September in Denver

[bk]

Selective memory is a wonderful thing.  Do you think Patti just went on a rant without having a reason to do so?  Back when that happened this board was frequently filled with snide remarks, some of which were personal and stupid, and yes, some of which were directed at her.  She made a post on HER blog and called people out.  And the people she called out got all bent out of shape because they then got to play the VICTIM.  Doesn't work that way.  Own your behavior is what works.  Make snarky comments then anyone anywhere, including the person to whom they refer, has the right to call whoever did it out and loudly at that.  And she did it under her own name, which is a lot braver than posting anonymously, thinking you can get away with anything.  It's been like that from the beginning of this board and it's always been the low side of things here.  And the people who go on and on about it still?  C'mon, seriously.  Just stop.  If you don't want to go don't go, for whatever reasons.  But stop dragging her back into it at every opportunity.  She IS talented and she works for a reason.  The five huffy people here who won't go aren't going to make on whit of difference to anything, so you're not exactly getting back at her.

So, putting all that silliness aside, I'm rather surprised that no one has mentioned the one thing that will stop me from seeing this EVER (I wouldn't see it anyway, as I loathed the movie and it's musical numbers - with Let It Go, for me, being just about the worst "classic" song ever written for an animated film - it literally has no ending, it just stops) - and the thing that would stop me from seeing it EVER is the name Rob Ashford.  The End.

[dianamorales]

I'm SO excited for the colorblind casting here- representation is going to be especially important in a show like this with so many kids in the audience. I also agree with adamgreer that the standbys are far more interesting than the stars.

Diversity aside, I strongly second that Patti and Cassie play much too old. While they might be in their 30s, the characters are 19 and 21. I understand that its hard to hire college age actors, but at least cast actors that look and act like theyre the right age. Cassie isn't my first choice for Elsa for other reasons, but I'm okay with her playing Elsa older than 21. However, Patti is completely wrong for it.

[shrekster224]

Will definitely be holding out to see Alyssa and Aisha on. Funny how the standby's are more exciting choices than the leads....

[Sally Durant Plummer]

I don't get all the hate for Cassie. I loved her in First Daughter Suite and saw it multiple times - each time she sounded marvelous and that it a difficult score full of high belting. She basically had a 30 minute sing monologue in the third vignette and believe me, she was incredible. 

It's probably just me, but Betsy's voice is like nails on a chalk board. That Last 5 Years album (especially "Summer In Ohio" is unlistenable.

[greenifyme2]

My husband and I were planning to go to Denver sometime soon to check out the city... I somehow convinced him that it would be a great idea for me to go to FROZEN while we are there so I just bought a ticket for September. I don't have a plane ticket or anything else yet but I am so freaking excited!!

[BroadwayConcierge]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BREAKING-Its-Coronation-Day-See-Photos-from-FROZENs-First-Day-of-Rehearsal-20170619

Still yawning, but I have to say Caissie is looking gorgeous.

[GeorgeandDot]

Patti looks...... very mature.

[Call_me_jorge]

The little glimpse of the set is very intriguing. Is that like wood paneling sorrounding the proscenium arch? 

[neonlightsxo]

If nothing else, Christopher Oram's sets will be stunning. He's one of the most talented designers working right now, IMO. 

[JennH]

adamgreer said: "AEA AGMA SM said: "Has there been any fuss over the multi-cultural casting of the version that runs at the theme park (I think it's in California Adventure)? If the theme park crowds can handle it I'm sure the Broadway crowds will be equally ok with seeing a cast that's not as lily-white as the movie version.

 

No, not that I'm aware of. But it's California. Their clientele is very different than the clientele down here at the Florida parks. 

 

"

Some, but not alot, but it wasn't race specific per se. It was along the lines of a couple things. If the Parks, just the PARKS mind you, are so strict on character integrity on the meet and greet characters then it needs to carry over into the shows as well. Another was that if they would never cast a non Asian as Mulan or a few other roles, then it would stand that it doesn't make sense to do this for this show either, since neither show is about race, it' sabot where they're located, which is true. I have my own complex thoughts on this, but I'm just quoting the rumblings I heard about this. 

And I have to say Oram's designs are already intriguing. 

[ozjust4]

Aaaah. I am so excited/scared for this show. I loved the movie from the second it came out and I just really want it to be good for me and everyone else. I hope we hear some rehearsal reports.

[RippedMan]

I don't see this show being a contender for anything - save for Cassie Levy who I think is a star. I'm curious to see the stage/design. I didn't see much in the pics, but I LOVE design and so curious what they do with this. This is the biggest Disney property in awhile, and I'm so surprised they went with such a dark, moody director. Wonder if Casey was ever asked?