Does the Disney Wonder's Frozen: A Musical Spectacular Live Up to the Hype?

*Please note, that out of respect for proper theater protocol, I did not take pictures during the performance.

     On a recent back-to-back sailing on the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder, Mickey Chick had the good fortune to view the new Broadway-quality stage show, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular not once, but twice.

       I’m glad that we had this opportunity for several reasons – the first being that the show is so popular that if you don’t show up at least 30 minutes in advance, you will not get seats. Disney Cruise Line would be wise to offer a daytime showing during the sailing’s sea day in order to accommodate more guests. We were taken by surprise when we arrived during our assigned time and wound up sitting on the side staircase with at least fifty other passengers. Even from that uncomfortable vantage point, the show was stunning and we made a note to arrive early on the next sailing.

       I will be the first to admit that I didn’t buy into the whole Frozen phenomenon until my then 14-year old daughter commandeered the family-room TV and put on the DVD. At the opening notes, I recognized the Broadway-inspired score and knew it was destined for the stage. Now, here we are, only 4 years later and the show is taking the seas by snow-storm while the St. James Theater in NYC gears up for its Broadway debut.

       First, the show is inventive in its sets and staging. It relies heavily on puppetry as well as the use of the numerous trap doors on the Walt Disney Theater stage. The story opens with the depiction of a young Kristoff and Sven calf, which gives us a deeper understanding of the characters than depicted in the film.

       The sets move, change and interlock imaginatively and, as we found out due to a 15-minute delay during the second performance, are extremely sensitive to the movement of the ship. The costuming is stunning, spectacular, and offered a few surprises throughout the performance. I was impressed by the ingenuity.

       As the time for the show is limited, the story is compressed to its most basic elements and progresses quickly.  The dialogue is witty and the presentation engaging, with Oaken and the Duke of “Weaseltown” hysterically represented. The Act I climax is a rousing rendition of “Let It Go” with pitch-perfect portrayal by the highly-talented professional performer playing Elsa.  This, of course, leads into the introduction of Olaf – a brilliant and entertaining combination of acting and puppetry.  Act II rolls downhill with the trolls and back to Arendelle for the snowflake-filled crescendo.

       All-in-all, the show delights Frozen fans of all ages and non-fans alike, and is a welcome addition to the Disney Cruise Line offerings. Be sure to get there early!

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Are you excited to see Frozen: A Musical Spectacular on an upcoming sailing on the Disney Wonder - or Frozen on Broadway? Be sure to comment or like us on facebook to share your thoughts.