Weather 
A cold front might be working its way through South Florida, but there’s no need to worry—The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of Frozen is guaranteed to warm your heart even on the chilliest January day. Directed by Tony nominee John Tartaglia, the story (based on the beloved 2013 Disney film) follows sisters Elsa (Tristen Buettel) and Anna (Brooke Quintana), princesses whose once-unbreakable bond is now on thin ice, severed by isolation.
Elsa has the magical power to freeze objects and people, which often spirals out of control, despite her fear of hurting the people she loves. After being crowned queen of Arendelle, Elsa accidentally casts a spell that traps the entire kingdom in a perpetual winter, and almost costs Anna her life, causing Elsa to flee and hide herself away again. Desperate to salvage their sisterly bond and encourage Elsa to reverse the spell, Anna embarks on an icy journey along with some unlikely friends, including the loyal “mountain man” Kristoff (Justin Showell) and his reindeer sidekick Sven (Darrell T. Joe), as well as the fun-loving Olaf (Wesley Slade), a snowman Elsa and Anna once created together as a child who has now come to life. Back in Arendelle, the seemingly-perfect Prince Hans (Dan Hoy) just might throw a wrench in the group’s plans. Can the sisters reunite to save the day—and can the power of true love, in its many forms, really conquer all?
Frozen is one of my personal favorite Disney movies, and seeing it brought to life onstage was nothing short of magical! The performances by the cast elevate the story to new heights, helmed by Anna (Quintana) and Elsa (Buettel). Brooke Quintana’s performance beautifully showcases the many sides of Anna’s character, from her persistent optimism to her endearing quirkiness to her undeniable bravery. Tristen Buettel is equally impressive as the reserved, regal Elsa, highlighting her desire to connect with her loved ones and confront her painful past, even when she might be afraid. Both Anna and Elsa are easy to relate to and root for, and this was only enhanced by Quintana and Buettel’s respective takes on the characters. I especially enjoyed the way that they used even the most subtle of facial expressions, hand gestures, and overall mannerisms to convey the sisters’ personalities and character development.
The audience can feel Anna’s giddiness as she flirts with Hans or attempts to connect with her estranged sister; can sense Elsa’s need for control as she clenches her fists or puts on a brave face to keep her powers and emotions under lock and key. Both actors do a fantastic job of showing that while Anna and Elsa are polar opposites, that also makes them perfectly complementary—the sisters bring out the best in each other, even when they don’t quite realize it.
Beyond our leading ladies, the supporting cast also dazzles in their roles. Justin Showell is the perfect romantic lead as the stubborn yet steady Kristoff—Kristoff and Anna’s banter and chemistry light up the stage from their shaky first meeting to their swoon-worthy first kiss. Dan Hoy captures Hans’s deceptively charming, quietly sinister nature, right down to the famous line that sends gasps echoing throughout the audience. And Wesley Slade and Darrell T. Joe lend some delightful comic relief to the story as Olaf and Sven respectively, their performances made even more show-stopping by the work of puppets. Along with the actors, acclaimed Puppet Designer Eric Wright helps these lovable characters come alive.
It certainly can’t be easy to translate the magic of Frozen from screen to stage, but this crew makes it look effortless. Thanks to the work of crew members including Lighting Designer Rob Denton, Projections Designer Lisa Renkel, Scenic Designer Tijana Bjelajac, and Sound Designer Scott Stauffer, the audience is absorbed in this memorable journey with Anna, Elsa, and their friends. The show’s special effects are astonishing at every turn—whether it’s Elsa building her ice castle in the mountains or the chilling moment when she accidentally freezes Anna’s heart, viewers will be captivated from start to finish. You might even see some snow (yes, even in South Florida).
What’s more, with the help of Choreographer Kristyn Pope and Music Director Eric Alsford, theatergoers will be able to enjoy all of their favorite songs from the Frozen film, including “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, “For the First Time in Forever,” “Love Is an Open Door,” “In Summer,” and “Let It Go,” as well as several new numbers created specifically for the stage musical, such as “Dangerous to Dream,” “What Do You Know About Love?”, and “Hygge,” which lend even more depth to the characters and their stories (plus, the latter will surely have you dancing along in your seat).
Costume Designer Leon Dobkowski and Wig Designer Kevin S. Foster II also transform Anna, Elsa, and the rest of the cast into the characters everyone knows and loves—from Anna’s brilliant green coronation dress and updo to Elsa’s glittering icy blue dress, complete with ice crystals, sequins, and beads, and her signature braid. The entire cast and crew draws the audience into this wonderfully wintery world, down to every last detail.
Frozen was the first show I saw in the new year, and I couldn’t have asked for a better theatrical experience to kick off my 2025. Now, it’s your turn to see for yourself! When a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite cozy sweater just isn’t doing enough to combat this cold front, take a trip to the Maltz and let this fabulous production bring you some much-needed warmth.
Frozen runs at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre through January 26. Purchase your tickets here.
The post ‘Frozen’ at The Maltz Warms Hearts During a Chilly January appeared on South Florida Theater.
