Frozen the Musical Sydney opening night review

FIRST REVIEW: Frozen the Musical had a smashing opening night in Sydney and won’t disappoint whether you’re an adult or a child, arts editor Elizabeth Fortescue writes.

Frozen the Musical opened at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday night, with the joy of theatre’s return to Sydney enhancing the magic of the undeniably brilliant moment.

New York-based Disney Theatrical boss Tom Schumacher leapt on stage at curtain call, all Elton John glasses and Broadway pizzazz, to tearfully thank his Australian cast and crew and say the show had “created history”. It was the first major international stage show since COVID-19 blasted its own freezing cold air across the global entertainment landscape.

And what a show it was – tighter, better sung and better acted than the Broadway version this reviewer saw in New York last year.

Performances, staging, lighting, music – it all shone so brightly, thanks to the extraordinary talent residing in this country.

Thomas Schumacher at the Frozen Opening night held at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles

The acclaimed Jemma Rix and the less experienced but brilliant Courtney Monsma were inspired choices to play the leading princess roles of Elsa and Anna. Both sang and acted superbly.

Rix’s rendition of Let It Go – the musical world’s version of opera’s Nessun Dorma, in that people perch on their seats waiting for it – was far from overplayed. Rix stitched the number seamlessly but thrillingly into the fabric of the total production.

Her acting was achingly icy, befitting the role of the strung-out princess with special but unwanted powers to turn her kingdom to ice. In her rejection of her beloved younger sister, you really felt Elsa’s secret pain.

Monsma was wonderful as Elsa’s blythe younger sister Anna. Her voice was beautifully pure and she projected the innocence and determination of the storybook role with a very funny side-dish of contemporary sass.

Jemma Rix played Elsa and Courtney Monsma was Anna in Frozen the Musical. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Just as good in the roles of the young Elsa and Anna were Deeana Cheong Foo and Chloe Delle-Fedove who were cheeky and cute without for a moment descending into treacle.

Sean Sinclair was sincere, funny and sweetly klutzy as Kristoff, the honest “iceman” with the adorable reindeer Sven (a puppet brought to life by Jonathan MacMillan and Lochie McIntyre). Sinclair’s dancing and singing were terrific.

Matt Lee as Olaf, the “handsome, virile, humble snowman”, was outstanding. The scene where Olaf sees a fireplace for the first time was hilarious, thanks to Lee’s comic timing.

Thomas McGuane as Hans truly made us believe he was nothing but a nice, loving young man. Until he made us realise he wasn’t.

Ben Mingay, Sarah Roberts and James Stewart at opening night. Picture: Christian Gilles

Christian Wilkins and Caroline Oayda at opening night. Picture: Christian Gilles

As Weselton, Elsa’s pompous, punch-above-his-weight suitor, Aljin Abella was extremely funny.

The ensemble cast performed wonderfully.

The stunning costumes, Australian-made replicas of the Broadway ones, added hugely to the sense of plenty in the show. In the dance scenes, the gorgeously-lit swathes of sumptuous fabric were a visual feast and owed everything to hours of work by dedicated seamstresses and lighting designer Natasha Katz.

Pulling it all together was the music of Oscar Award-winning duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who are based in Brooklyn, New York. The show has a lot more memorable music than just Let It Go.

Frozen the Musical is a fabulous show, and won’t disappoint whether you’re an adult or a child.

* Frozen the Musical is on at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney until the end of March 2021.