Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical, now playing at The Arts Club Stanley BFL Canada Stage, until January 4, 2026, is a triumph of the magic of theatre. With Music and Lyrics by the award winning Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez with book by Jennifer Lee, based on Disney’s animated classic also written by Lee.
Directed by Ashlie Corcoran, with Assistant Director Jason Sakaki, guiding the company through a fan-favourite like Disney’s Frozen is a daunting task, and based on the exuberant opening night cheers from the smallest fans, they more than live up to the task. From start to finish the production is a joy, even if you’ve not seen the film or know its inspiration, Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” everyone can enjoy the music and magic of Frozen. Packed with a cast of Vancouver’s finest, every member lifts the next to reach the highest levels.
From the young heir Princess Elsa of Arendelle (portrayed as a child by Nora Cowan alternating with Leanne Uy) and mischievous Princess Anna (Adriana Buvyer alternating with Perla de Leon) to their grown up counterparts Chelsea Rose Winsby as the magical Elsa and Sythia Yusuf as a grown but still effervescent Anna – the duos, young and older, have perfect sisterly chemistry and joyfully play off each other. As a social butterfly, Anna makes friends throughout the kingdom especially a cohort of male admirers; Hans of the Southern Isles, a dubiously charming suitor played by Daniel Curalli, the ruggedly handsome ice vendor Kristoff, by Kamyar Pazandeh who is aided by his reindeer side-kick Sven, and the blithe spirit snowman Olaf magically brought to life by Joaquin Little. Kayvon Khoshkam is cartoon perfection as the smarmy Duke of Weselton, while Jacob Woike’s Oaken and the ensemble of sauna soakers deliver delightful laughs. The “hidden folk of the mountains” lead by Tanner Zerr as Pabbie and Steffanie Davis as Bulda, Kristoff’s foster parents come to Anna’s rescue when her real parents, King Agnar (Graham Coffeng) and Queen Iduna (Shannon Hanbury, on opening night), cannot help.
Opposite of Anna, the isolated Elsa, with the assistance of Set Designer Scott Penner, creates a beautiful albeit problematic world of ice. While special Effects Coordinator Kelsey John Torok and Lighting Designer Michelle Ramsay’s projections and effects crystalize the freezing feeling of magic gone wrong as ice grows across the set and Arendelle then heartwarmingly melts away for the climax.
Disney’s musicals succeed because of their familiar stories and grand ensemble dance numbers, (choreographed by Shelley Stewart Hunt with Lisa Goebel and Shannon Hanbury) but more so, because of their anthemic songs with Frozen being home to some of the most beloved hits. Musical Director Ken Cormier leads an eight-piece live band to deliver the music memories, as the melancholy musings of Do You Want To Build A Snowman give way to the welcoming For The First Time In Forever. Leaning into the hopeful Love Is An Open Door or keeling over with laughter from Hygge and Fixer Upper. However, no hit hits harder than Chelsea Rose Winsby closing the first act with a stunning rendition of the Academy Award Winning anthem ‘Let It Go’, which elicited spontaneous screams of joy for the song and the sensational costume illusions of Designer Alaia Hamer. So iconic a song, getting the musical and technical feats of its moment could make or break a production and this production delivers in aces. This entire cast and company, especially the enchanting Synthia Yusuf and powerhouse Chesea Rose Winsby, deliver on every note to much glee around the audience as the little voices can’t resist singing along and adults can’t stop humming into the night.
photo: JMinter
The Arts Club Theatre has brought Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical to life in so many creative ways, echoing the animated film but keeping a fresh ingenious approach to some of the most beloved characters. To maintain the magical experience for fans of all ages, many creatively brilliant aspects of production should not be described, you need to see them to (make)believe them. You and your family will not want to miss this production, and like the original film, you may want to see it again and again.
Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical plays at the Arts Club Stanley BFL Canada Stage, 2750 Granville Street, until January 4, 2026. For tickets and showtimes visit artsclub.com.
To bring even more to your Arts Club experience, look for special events;
Sunday Salon: November 9 at 2pm, arrive an hour early for a 30 minute with the child cast members before the show
Talk-Back Tuesday: November 18, stay after the show for a 15 minute chat with the artistic team.
Vocal Eye: November 23 @ 2pm & November 28 @ 7:30pm
Afternoon in Arendelle: matinee performances filled with fun for the young or young at heart, or join in a Sing-a-long performance with sur-titled lyrics, at Noon December 6 (Sing-a-Long), December 13 (Sing-a-Long), December 20.