Theatre Cedar Rapids to debut Disney’s ‘Frozen’ for the holiday season Nov. 14

An exciting holiday event is snowballing its way onto the stage at Theatre Cedar Rapids next week, and the cast and crew promise it will feel like a warm hug.

Disney’s “Frozen” is set for its regional premiere Nov. 14 and will bring a particularly magical touch to TCR’s 100th anniversary season.

TCR’s Artistic Director Angie Toomsen is the director of the show and says it’s easily the organization’s largest show ever; it features a turntable on stage, elaborate costumes, puppets, unique lighting elements and more.

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“Our production aspirations continue to grow, and we consistently punch above our weight, always aiming a bit past what might look achievable. But our production team, cast and crews constantly surprise ourselves,” she said. “Seeing audiences delighted and inspired and, above all, proud of our local talent, makes it all worth it.”

“It's a happy, busy chaos with near-constant new elements, both onstage and in our patron spaces,” Toomsen added, noting the show must go on despite TCR’s huge building construction project. This has meant rehearsing across the street in a bank building, but Toomsen says everyone has adapted well.

Tatum Calderwood is playing the role of Elsa and is excited to be making her TCR debut and taking on her first role of such caliber.

“It’s a big thing to live up to, but there is a lot of newness I want to come across. It’s the Elsa audiences grew up watching, but she’s a fresh character and I want to keep them on their toes,” she said.

While the show is based on Disney's movie, cast members want theater goers to know this production is distinct, featuring new songs and material.

“The songs added for the stage are all amazing and all do what they need to do for the plot,” said Molly Owen, who plays the role of Anna. “Getting to go through this literal journey together with the audience with the themes being so present throughout is very special. But they should also know we aren’t changing the ending.”

Mic Evans says playing the role of Olaf is a dream come true. The character is a puppet he’ll operate, and Evans says it has been a very cool process to learn.

“Olaf is a burst of sunshine and to get to play that all winter long is going to be a big joy,” he said.

Tatum Calderwood will make her Theatre Cedar Rapids debut as Elsa in the organization's production of Disney's "Frozen," premiering Friday, Nov. 14. (Theatre Cedar Rapids)

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Molly Owen as Anna in Theatre Cedar Rapids' production of Disney's "Frozen." (Theatre Cedar Rapids)

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Evans also works as director of education for TCR and hopes the show inspires the next generation.

“Our holiday shows at TCR are such a tradition for so many people, but inevitably this is someone’s first show. When they do come in to see this production, I hope they find a spark of magic and think just maybe this is something I can do,” he said.

Everyone involved in the show hopes audiences connect with the themes of Frozen as well, including isolation, finding community, accepting each other and building a found family.

“Amid increasingly fractious division in our world, I think Frozen delivers a very poignant message about the power of genuine love and understanding,” Toomsen said. “Elsa’s fear of her own strengths, and the resulting fear her differences inspire in others, is a universally relatable condition. Anna, by contrast, embodies an unwavering optimism and a relentless pursuit of connection, revealing that true love is not a romantic ideal but, rather, an act of selflessness.”

“The arts have the power to elicit joy, elation, empathy and to remind us of such attributes as kindness, bravery and the resolution of conflict,” Toomsen added. “I believe that, when differences seem most pronounced, reconciliation and the willingness to reframe our understanding of a person or situation can be a radical source of healing.”

Creating a special experience for audience members has been a big goal as well.

“To create the world (of the show), we immersed ourselves in Norwegian culture, drawing heavily from Norwegian folk art,” Toomsen said, noting that Iowa’s Vesterheim Museum in Decorah and its collections served as source imagery for many elements of the design. She and cast members hope audience members will appreciate the details they see in costuming and the sets.

“As a person of Norwegian ancestry, I have fond memories of the cultural traditions my mother incorporated into our holiday celebrations — including Norwegian tree ornaments and making lefse bread. I even wore a traditional ‘bunad’ to school for second-grade ancestry day,” Toomsen said, adding that cast member James Odegaard’s grandmother was known for painting Norwegian rosemaling and had works selected for display in Norway. “We were inspired by her work as well.”

The cast and crew’s biggest message is that this show has something for everyone, young and old.

“So many people have worked so hard and given their best, aiming past the mark to bring this story and its spectacle to life,” Toomsen said. “As folks enter Elsa and Anna’s world of weather extremes, magic and sisterly bonds, we hope each element — the story, music, the top-tier local talent, the effects and so on — inspires wonder, reflection and hope in their hearts this holiday season.”