Frozen The Musical star Jemma Rix on playing Elsa, singing ‘Let It Go’
Musical-theatre star Jemma Rix is stepping into the coveted role of Elsa from ‘Frozen’, and she’s certainly not taking the responsibility lightly.
Stellar
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stellar. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Don’t recognise the woman in these pictures? Don’t feel bad – given that her skin isn’t an alarming shade of green, you’d be forgiven.
For eight years of her life, Jemma Rix looked more like a caterpillar than she did a musical-theatre star, thanks to her longstanding role as Elphaba in Wicked, which she performed across Australia and Asia.
In fact, as Rix looks over the portraits from her Stellar shoot, even she has a hard time digesting the transformation she’s undergone – one that’s taken her from rehearsal blacks to glamorous leading lady.
After several months in which curtains stayed drawn in theatres across the country, this week Rix underwent another transformation as she took her first bow as Elsa of Arendelle in the Sydney production of Frozen The Musical.
As she talks to Stellar from the show’s home, the Capitol Theatre, about the pressure of being one of the first and biggest productions to open since the country went into lockdown in March, there’s a flurry of activity.
Stagehands wrangle glittering sets, publicists field phone calls as they manage guest lists, and the very excited cast piles in for a dress rehearsal. All the while, Rix is perched on a seat in the foyer at a socially distanced four metres away (there are to be no risks taken with the leading lady).
“It’s an overwhelming feeling for us all,” she says. “When we did the first day of rehearsals and we sang through the music, people were literally crying. There’s a nervous energy, but also lots of gratitude. It won’t feel real until we hear applause from the audience.”
The 35-year-old says it feels like a lifetime since her agent called to tell her she had landed the role, but she can still remember the gruelling audition process like it was yesterday. “It was many rounds in front of a panel,” Rix says.
“And looking back on it now – probably because I’ve got the role – I actually really respect how they do it. There are multiple auditions over a fairly long period of time so they can see if you’re consistent and how elastic your voice is.
“It’s definitely nerve-racking, but I try to go into auditions with the ‘let it go’ attitude and think, ‘Well, this is who I am and I’ll do my best, and then it’s up to you guys. But I won’t hold my whole value of who I am in your hands…’ So, Elsa certainly taught me from day one to let it go.”
Die-hard Frozen and Wicked fans – and there are many – will have connected that Idina Menzel voiced Elsa in both Frozen films and originated her Tony Award-winning role of Elphaba on Broadway. And Rix is quick to credit Menzel with paving the way for voices like hers.
“It wasn’t until I heard voices like Idina’s that I realised that maybe I could have a career in musical theatre, because my voice is more of a pop/theatre sound, which is quite different to classic theatre.”
Rix considers Menzel an idol and lined up at the stage door after the New Yorker performed in a Melbourne production of Wicked in 2013. A stagehand spotted Rix in the crowd of fans and, recognising her as the star of Australia’s cast, brought her backstage.
“[Idina] was so warm and kind and generous when we talked,” Rix recalls. “The following day I had a call from the theatre telling me she had left something for me. It was a signed poster. She had written ‘Keep on defying gravity’. It’s one of my most treasured possessions.”
The seasoned performer, who has also appeared in Ghost The Musical, The Wizard Of Oz, Jekyll & Hyde and last year shared the title role of Evita with Tina Arena, admits she’s more nervous than usual due to the hiatus, but also because she knows every audience member will be anticipating her take on ‘Let It Go’, the runaway hit anthem from the 2013 Disney film.
The song – which marks the turning point in the story and sees the reserved and uptight Elsa evolve into a headstrong woman – long ago took on a life of its own, winning an Oscar and thus far clocking up more than 2.2 billion streams on YouTube alone.
“I can’t let myself overthink it too much,” Rix says. “I’ve obviously rehearsed it and sung it on my own plenty of times, but when I’m finally out there on that incredible set, wearing the most amazing dress that’s literally covered in hundreds of beads and crystals, singing to an audience? It’s going to feel very different.”
At time of print, nothing has been announced as to whether the production will be touring Australia following the Sydney run. However, along with her cast and crew, Rix hopes to take the show across the country. But she’s pragmatic, too, sounding like somebody who has taken to heart the big song she will perform from the stage in the weeks to come.
“If there’s one thing we learnt this year,” she says, “it’s to forget trying to make solid plans… and just take things as they come.”
Frozen The Musical is on at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney until March. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.au.
MORE STELLAR
Anne Hathaway: ‘It doesn’t bother me if people think I’m sweet’
The adorable story behind Delta’s first ARIAs gown
More Coverage
Originally published as Frozen The Musical star Jemma Rix on playing Elsa, singing ‘Let It Go’
Karl: ‘I’m surprised I haven’t been cancelled’
Karl Stefanovic reflects on his 20 years on The Today Show, who has made him a ‘much better person’ – and opens up about the distressing moment his daughter went missing.
‘Like a high school reunion’: Stars on AACTAs
Colin From Accounts stars Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer on what it’s really like to walk the AACTAs red carpet – and how they feel about being nominated.