Theatre review: Frozen’s wintry spell carries the magic of the Disney original
With sparkling effects and powerful performances, the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of the beloved musical captures imaginations of young audience members
Synthia Yusuf and Chelsea Rose Winsby in Disney’s FROZEN. Photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company
The Arts Club Theatre Company presents Frozen at Stanley BFL CANADA Stage to January 4, 2026
“FOR THE FIRST TIME in Forever”, Vancouver has the chance to see a local production of Disney’s Frozen, thanks to the Arts Club Theatre.
Under the direction of Ashlie Corcoran, it brings Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and other beloved characters to centre stage, radiating the story’s heartfelt message of love and family. It’s a production of impressive scale, featuring dazzling costumes and sets, memorable musical numbers, and performances that honour the spirit of the Disney original.
The musical adaptation remains faithful to the animated film’s story, following the journey of sister princesses Elsa and Anna. When Elsa’s magical ability to conjure ice and snow inadvertently harms Anna, their parents, King Agnar and Queen Iduna, shield Elsa’s powers, urging her to “conceal, don’t feel.” This leads Elsa to withdraw from the world—as well as from Anna, who grows up lonely and dejected, especially after the sisters are orphaned by a tragic shipwreck.
However, Elsa cannot remain hidden forever; her coronation as queen brings her face to face with Anna and the world once more. Add charming suitors, a loyal reindeer, a high-spirited snowman, and a magical winter landscape, and it’s easy to see why Frozen remains a Disney favourite.
The most pressing question for audiences is: How do Elsa and Anna fare onstage? After all, the Disney princesses are pop-culture fixtures, as proven by the sea of children’s Halloween costumes each year. Fortunately, Chelsea Rose Winsby and Synthia Yusuf are terrific in these roles. With her stunning voice, Winsby does justice to Elsa’s extreme vocal demands. Moreover, she fully captures Elsa’s fearful outlook early in the show, and later offers a sensational performance of “Let It Go”, complete with stage effects that include a brilliant costume reveal.
As Anna, Yusuf shines with playful energy, endearing self-consciousness, and strong vocals. Yusuf and Winsby share a touching and authentic sister dynamic, with their complicated emotions beautifully expressed in “I Can’t Lose You”. Yusuf also plays delightfully off Daniel Curalli’s equally endearing Hans in the first act, and Kamyar Pazandeh’s rugged but warm-hearted Kristoff.
One of the highlights of this production is Joaquín Little as Olaf, who steals the spotlight with his exuberance. As is the norm with the stage adaption, Little supplies Olaf’s voice and manipulates a giant puppet. But with his terrific vocal and physical comedy, watching Little behind the puppet is as enjoyable as the puppet itself.
Synthia Yusuf, Steffanie Davis, and the cast of Disney’s FROZEN. Photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company
The production’s visual appeal owes much to Alaia Hamer’s costume design, from Elsa’s sparkling ice queen dress to the storybook-inspired look of the royal court. Set designer Scott Penner pulls us further into this fairy-tale world, with some gorgeous designs including the interior of the royal castle and Elsa’s ice palace. Penner also makes creative use of the Stanley’s stage, including an onstage trap door that elevates to create some exciting “magical” effects.
On the topic of magic—a central theme in Frozen—reproducing the huge effects of the film or the Broadway production is a challenge. The result here is mixed, with some lighting effects in key moments that don’t pack enough punch. However, there are also creative moments that stir the imagination. One highlight is in “Let It Go”, when Elsa’s belongings seem to fly off her as she casts blasts of ice into the ether. There’s also inventive prop work throughout, as when Young Elsa and Anna build their prototype of Olaf.
Among the show’s many charms is Shelley Stewart Hunt’s imaginative choreography, assisted by dance captain Shannon Hanbury. The opening number makes creative use of traditional maypole dancing infused with balletic leaps, and “Hygge” is a laugh riot, cheekily pulled off by the ensemble. Among the ensemble on opening night, swing Kate Malcic stepped in with little notice, complete with radiant smile and high energy.
Adding to the show’s appeal was the pair of Adriana Buvyer and Nora Cowan (who alternate with Perla De Leon and Leanne Uy) as Young Anna and Elsa, who demonstrated exceptional talent and stage presence.
But the key indicator of success here? The show effectively captivated the imaginations of the many children in the audience on opening night. Throughout, young audience members (some of whom were dressed in princess attire) pointed to the stage and quietly said “Elsa” or “Anna” in wonder. At one point, one child even wandered in front of the stage, staring up in awe at Winsby as she sang. Clearly, for this key audience, Frozen casts the right spell, and that’s something truly magical to see. 
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