Theater Review – September 27, 2025

“DISNEY’S FROZEN” DEBUTS NEW TPTC THEATER WITH SPARKLING GRANDEUR

“Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Stephenson Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Two huge and very positive occurrences are happening at The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC).  One is the opening of the new 488-seat Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J Stephenson Theatre (which will be called in this and all future reviews as the Stephenson Theatre).

The other is the theater’s premiere production, an elaborately lavish and utterly captivating staging of “Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical,” a charmer show based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” and Disney’s successful animated film.  It will prove a magical experience for families with little ones being introduced to live theater for the first time.

At the opening, there were many small theatergoers who sat quietly spellbound and were enraptured by the wonderful show as it unfolded exactly like the Broadway original.  But even if you don’t have children, the stunning production will delight adult audiences.

“Frozen” has only played here once in the Broadway tour staging at ASU Gammage but TPTC’s glorious production equals and in many artistic ways exceeds the tour.

Why?  Michael Barnard, TPTC’s Producing Artistic Director, helms the local production with his usual staging brilliance and theatrical flourish.  He puts the new theater to expert use with fanciful sets, well-conceived special visual effects, a top-notch cast, clever staging pluses, wonderful Sam Hay choreography, and eye-popping costumes that turn the musical into a glorious entertainment extravaganza.  The musical hit “Let It Go” is staged with creative flourish.

Some production details without ruining the show for future audiences.  Tijana Bjelajac’s spiffy sets, Leon Dobkowski’s colorful costumes, Eric Wright’s puppet designs, and Keith A. Truax’s dazzlingly pointed lighting turn the well-equipped stage into a storybook fantasy world.

The cast is flawless.  Caelan Creaser’s perfectly sung and enchanting Elsa and Chelsea Cree Groen’s wonderfully comic Anna, Elsa’s sister, head the cast with musically dynamic characterizations. The plot splits the two loving sisters but by the end everything couldn’t be better.

Joseph Paul Cavazos makes the puppet Olaf a rich animal do-gooder.  Brandon S. Chu is a wickedly evil Hans and Adam James King executes Anna’s savior Kristoff with dashing aplomb.  Matravius Avent is a regal King with Alyssa Chiarello his perfect Queen.  D. Scott Withers plays a wonderfully lusty tavern keeper, Oaken, plus he brightens the magnificent ensemble which dance with spunk and sing with amazing sparkle.  Kevin Robert White’s 14-piece orchestra plays the enchanting Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez music with dynamic lushness.

“Disney’s Frozen” dazzles in a superb production that takes full advantage of the new Stephenson Theatre.  Remarkable acoustics allow every word to be clearly understood. On opening night, sound issues delayed the opening curtain but once the musical was underway, everything played perfectly. The only quibble with the new theater is that the tight seating rows don’t allow much audience comfort.

All in all, a huge triumph for TPTC with the technically sharp new Stephenson Theatre and an incredible staging of “Disney’s Frozen” which rivals the Broadway original.  Thank TPTC and Michael Barnard for bringing Broadway caliber musicals to local audiences. “Disney’s Frozen” continues to October 26. To order tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre Company box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: A