Based on Walt Disney’s 2013 animated film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, FROZEN offered a long and complex journey to completion, ultimately costing Disney $30 million to produce. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, original songs morphed from eight into 20 before it finally came to Broadway in 2018 after shifting skills between three choreographers, two set designers, two Elsas, and two directors. Reviews were mixed, with the New York Times describing the production as “rousing, often dull, alternately dopey.” The show was nominated for several Tony Awards and eventually won the Drama Desk award for outstanding puppet design. FROZEN closed in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. Regardless of the hurdles FROZEN faced, it has become a favorite for the younger set and, after frequent facelifts, also popular among many adults. In 2025, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts proudly presents FROZEN.
Garrett Clayton and Cailen Fu – Photo by Jason Niedle/TETHOS
The place is in and around the kingdom of Arendelle; the time is somewhere between fantasy and fairytale. The king and queen of Arendelle realize that their older daughter Elsa (Jenna Lea Rosen) has a problem – and they are committed to solving it. Elsa literally has magic at her fingertips – but a strange and maybe even dangerous magic which allows her to create freezing temperatures and conjure up snow and ice storms. Then the unthinkable happens. While pre-teen Elsa is playing with her younger sister Anna (Cailen Fu), who begs her to make a snowman, she accidentally strikes Anna, causing Anna’s temperature to rapidly decrease until she is in a coma and on death’s doorstep. Elsa’s mother calls on a colony of the “Hidden Folk,” who manage to reverse the magic but also warn Elsa and her parents that her magic may lead to future disaster. After her parents perish in a storm at sea seeking answers to Elsa’s condition, the fateful decision is made to isolate Elsa from others, including her sister, until she learns to control her magical powers.
Cailen Fu and Alexander Mendoza and ensemble FROZEN cast – Photo by Jason Neidle/TETHOS
And so the royal siblings grow up separated and lonely until Elsa is finally crowned queen. When a comely Anna is swept off her feet by charming Prince Hans (Garrett Clayton) after only a few hours together and asks Elsa for permission to marry him, Elsa flies into a fury, accidentally unleashing her ability to create frigid conditions and lots of destruction around the castle. Horrified, Elsa flees to the mountains, and Anna must follow to bring her back – a journey which will lead her to Kristoff (Alexander Mendoza), his reindeer Sven (Thomas Whitcomb), and snowman Olaf (Mark Ivy). What will happen to Elsa? Anna? Kristoff? Hans? The kingdom of Arendelle? In true fairy tale fashion, will all end “happily ever after?”
Ensemble Frozen Cast – Photo by Jason Niedle/TETHOS
Directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges with musical direction by Brad Gardner, FROZEN is a charming musical fantasy which will delight and entertain. Tim Mackabee’s scenic design is eye-catching. Coleen Grady’s costumes for glittery and colorful. Voices are powerful and clear. Choreography is spectacular. The puppets are great. FROZEN is a production which will entertain both children and adults, and the enthusiastic youngsters observing the show were almost as much fun to watch as the show itself – with the kiddies decked out in colorful princess clothing and wearing crowns inspired by the musical. FROZEN is definitely a family-friendly productions with a PG rating, so be sure to include the younger set in your theater planning.
Jenna Lea Rosen and Cailen Fu – Photo by Jason Niedle/TETHOS
FROZEN runs through June 29, 2025, with performance at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, at 8 p.m. on Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays (no performance on Sunday 6/8 at 6:30 p.m.) La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA. Tickets range from $39 to $139 (group, student, and military discounts available). For information and reservations, call 562-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 or go online.
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