‘It’s so magical’: Disney’s ‘Frozen’ plays at Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay

Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical is on stage at the Savoy where it’s heating up the box office.

The Savoy Theatre’s production of “Frozen” is now playing in Glace Bay, N.S., with a local cast and crew.

“It’s so magical and fun and uplifting, and there is so much beautiful music in this show,” said Katherine Woodword, who plays Elsa.

“I just feel that there is something about a Disney show that is so very important to have in a community because it’s for the kid in all of us.”

For Breagh Kelly, this is her first-ever major role on stage and it’s in her hometown.

“I love playing Anna,” the 22-year-old said Tuesday. “I feel like I relate to her a lot, I have an older sister.”

Kelly said it’s special to play a co-lead role in a production of a movie she first saw in theatres when she was only nine years old.

“I want people to take away just the story of love,” Kelly said. “I think it’s so important now to really embrace our love for one another and just have a story of so much hope.”

Pam Leader, the executive director of the Savoy Theatre, said a production like this helps with funding to keep the nearly 100-year-old theatre open.

“The rights became available and we grabbed them,” Leader said.

She added that while a locally-produced play with costumes and set is a lot more expensive than something like bringing in a musical artist, Leader says the local touch on a classic film makes it worth it.

“Adults at the intermission on the weekend were coming out into the lobby just crying,” Leader said. “It’s a happy cry, it’s a sad cry, it’s a very emotional show and the adults get that part of it.”

Leader said last weekend’s shows played to about 90 per cent seating capacity and two more shows have been added for this weekend for which tickets are still available.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of little Elsas and Annas,” Woodword said of when she looked out into the crowd.

While the local versions of Anna and Elsa say there’s nothing like seeing the expression on little girls’ faces, everyone involved in the production feels strongly that it’s a show for all ages.

“They were singing along in the crowd and that was so wonderful because we have been rehearsing this for a long time with just each other and we’ve been feeding off each other,” Woodword said. “And then when the audience comes in and they’re so willing to give you all this energy, it’s like taking that and giving it right back.”

The cast and crew plan to “let the storm rage on” with shows Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

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