BG Performing Arts Center shows are Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Seeing all the young girls dressed up as Elsa in the Bowling Green Performing Arts Center Friday started off the night with a smile at the opening of Bowling Green High School’s production of Disney’s “Frozen.”
The night only got better with the singing, dancing, fun, funny and heartwarming performances of a talented, high-energy cast, crew and orchestra.
Two shows remain at the Performing Arts Center, 540 W. Poe Road, at 7 p.m. tonight (April 18) and 2 p.m. on Sunday (April 19). Tickets, at $16 for students and senior citizens and $18 for adults, are available online at https://cur8.com/16902/project/136343 or at the door.
“Frozen” shares the story of sisters, Elsa (Calista Motisher) and Anna (Maggie Griggs), and their relationship from childhood into adulthood.
As children, Elsa, (Monica Crawford on Thursday/Saturday, and Hazel Headley on Friday/Sunday) and younger sister Anna (Emily Doren on Thursday/Saturday, and Quinn Schneider on Friday/Sunday) are best of friends. They play make-believe together and with the help of Elsa’s magical ice powers they build Olaf the snowman with “A little bit of you and a little bit of me; a part that loves to dream; a part that swings from a tree,” that embodies each of their personalities.
The sisterhood changes when Elsa accidently strikes Anna’s head with ice. She is saved by the love and powers of Pabbie (Cole Boswell ) and Bulda (Blade Woods), leaders of the Hidden Folk.
After the traumatic incident, their parents, Queen Iduna (Emarie Headley) and King Adnarr (Jack Byers) decide to keep the sisters apart to protect them both. They remain isolated from one another even after their parents are swept out to sea.
As adults, Elsa (Calista Motisher) is crowned queen of Arendelle, and Anna (Maggie Griggs) falls in love when she meets Prince Hans (Eddie Lyons) before the coronation celebration.
When Anna asks for Elsa’s blessings to marry Hans, Elsa becomes enraged and unleashes her powers and flees. The entire kingdom freezes in an eternal winter.
Anna becomes concerned for her sister and the kingdom’s future. She heads into the mountains to search for Elsa with the help of ice seller Kristoff (Aidan Thomas), his adorable reindeer friend, Sven (Zoe Brujic), and animated snowman Olaf (Amelia Bryant). The goal is to find Elsa and return warmth to the kingdom. Along the way in search of warmer clothes as the cold takes over Anna’s heart, they reach the trading post of Oaken (Jack Byers).
In the meantime, Duke Weselton (Sammy French) and his Lackeys (Greta Chung and Kas Morrow) have other plans. They plot to stop the blizzard by killing Elsa.
In the end, (spoiler alert if you aren’t aware how the story ends) sisterly love wins out.
Everything about the show is top-notch. The singing and dancing talent of all the high school performers is exceptional. The audience appreciated each scene by applauding for the energy and joy that emanated from the stage.
The crew behind the scenes did an amazing job of switching the scenery with exceptional professionalism, getting the job done quietly ad discreetly.
The scenery, while simple in design, provided the perfect backdrop to highlight the talent and storyline. From the walls of Elsa’s ice castle to Olaf’s summer fantasy, many of the sets were designed and led by student members of the crew.
The special effects—from Elsa’s glove and cape flying through the air to the mesmerizing snow that swirled about the kingdom (and the audience during the finale)—added those magical moments to the play.
And the music—with the fabulous 25-plus member orchestra supporting the vocalists and providing that all-important emotional tone and bridge during the scene changes—delighted the audience with those earworm songs you can’t get out of your head (at the top of my list—”Let It Go,” “Love is an Open Door,” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”).
Once again, Director Dr. JoBeth Gonzalez and the adult leadership, proved that Bowling Green High School’s talent is second to none.
The heartfelt story line between two sisters is endearing for young and old, but it is the well-cast talents of everyone from the leads and ensemble members to the discreet crew and awesome orchestra that make the show a success. If you don’t leave the theater wanting to belt out “Let It Go,” you might be one of the few whose cold heart didn’t get warmed up from the performance.
The cast, crew, and orchestra helped bring this magical Disney story to life.
Adult Leadership: Director Dr. JoBeth Gonzalez; Pit Director Andy Lewis; Dance Choreographer Bob Marzola; Vocal Director Beth Vaughn; Musical Coordinator Heather James; and Technical Director Adam Kohman.
Cast: Young Anna-Quinn Schnieder and Emily Doren; Young Elsa-Hazel Headley and Monica Crawford; Anna-Maggie Griggs; Elsa-Calista Motisher; King Adnarr-Jack Byers; Queen Iduna-Emarie Headley; Pabbie-Cole Boswell; Bulda-Blade Woods; Hans-Eddie Lyons; Kristoff-Aidan Thomas; Sven-Zoe Brujic; Olaf-Amelia Bryant; Weselton-Sammy French; Lackeys-Greta Chung and Kas Morrow; Oaken-Jack Byers; Bishop-Adelina Villarreal; Handmaidens-Calla Higgins and Chidigo Onyekelu; and Guards-Diego Aleman Rodas and Logan Seifert.
Ensemble Members: Calan Amos Kaylee Bonaguro, Cole Boswell, Aliyah Bridges, Jack Byers, Adelyn Davis, Alia Diamante, Brooklyn Grabe, Emarie Headley, Calla Higgins, Natalie Karlovec, Mack Maxey, Brooke Meyer, Ella Nickey, Chidiogo Onyekelu, Quinn Percival, Diego Aleman Rodas, Arih Rodriguez-McAffey, Addison Ruffner, Logan Seifert, Aolani Stiger, Zane Stockner, Adelina Villarreal, Lia Wagner and Blade Woods.
