When Disney’s Frozen debuted in theaters nearly three years ago, it touched young and old in a way that previous films had not. The magic of Disney is in part, due to the creative team’s ability to immerse audiences in stories, characters and worlds that are compelling, relatable and believable. The beautiful story of love and sisterhood depicted in Disney’s Frozen set against the backdrop of picturesque Arendelle resonated with audiences to their core and may in fact be one of Disney’s best animated film, amongst the likes of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.
Now, for the first time in forever, families visiting the Disneyland Resort can see a brand new theatrical interpretation of the film. “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” recently debuted at Disney California Adventure Park, and from our first-hand experience of the show, it is absolutely magical.
I have been taking in Broadway shows since I was a teenager, and this show feels like it could be playing at the New Amsterdam Theatre in the heart of New York’s theater district. From the set design and costumes, to the music and talent, “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” employs a level of artistry you would expect from Broadway.
Rather than re-tell what has now become an iconic Disney story, the creative team at the Disneyland Resort conceived a new theatrical interpretation for the stage. The poignant story of Anna and Elsa is brought to life as audiences are immersed in the world of Arendelle. The familiarity of the characters and music complements the creative team’s imaginative take on the classic story. Because the story is performed live on stage, some of the tender moments between Anna and Elsa are conveyed in a beautiful, express way that can’t be replicated on-screen (hint: bring a tissue). The production preserves the heart and soul of the film while offering audiences a fresh, exciting lens to engage audiences.
From the moment you walk into the the Hyperion Theater, you are transported to the icy kingdom of Arendelle with a stage that’s surrounded by a specially lit aurora borealis-inspired curtain made from 45,000 square feet of custom-dyed fabric. At 6200 square feet, the theater is larger than I imagined, with elaborate sets that include built-in ice spikes, an impressive ice chandelier with more than 500 points of light, and seven pairs of doors re-created from the original film. The costumes are absolutely stunning and the attention to detail was realized by using materials from around the world. In one momentous scene, Elsa sings her infamous song Let It Go while embracing her icy persona and the costume change that ensues made many a head turn.
Equally impressive are the technology and special effects employed throughout the stage show. Custom sound design draws audiences into the music while the set design and movable set pieces create a cinematic energy enhanced by state-of-the-art projections. This helps create a dynamic show where everything, including the stage comes alive. When Anna and Christophe are being chased by wolves deep in the wintery forest, the intensity of this scene is enhanced by video projections. And through the magic of Disney’s technology, families will experience a beautiful, wintery snow fall. Perhaps the most creative use of technology in the show is the use of skilled performers and intricate puppets to bring Olaf, Sven and the rock trolls to life.
Music played an integral part in the film’s resonance amongst audiences, and the creative team understood the importance of selecting an orchestra that would measure up to the film’s musical legacy. The orchestra features 65 of the top musicians in Los Angeles, and while the music for the show is recorded, all of the vocals are sung live with a quality that mirrors the original film. Some of the songs in this live stage show have been expanded into ensemble pieces with dance breaks to create large-scale production numbers. “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” features six full musical numbers with music and lyrics by the creators of the film score, Kirsten Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
To learn more about “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” visit Disneyland.com.
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