A modern Disney classic has been adapted for the stage and will play in Moose Jaw this week, starting today.
The Sawatzky Studios School of Performing Arts will present Frozen Jr. from June 6-8 at the Alliance Church auditorium. You can expect to hear all your favourite songs from the hit animated film, along with a few new numbers written specifically for the Broadway production.
This is the first time that Frozen Jr. will be performed in Canada and director Evie Koop Sawatzky is excited to bring the production to Moose Jaw.
“It wouldn’t matter if we were the 120th Canadian production, but it is kind of special to give that to the kids too, to say that they were the first Anna or Elsa in Canada.”
There are 29 kids in the cast, ranging in age from kindergarten to Grade 11, all with different levels of experience performing on the stage. They come from across southern Saskatchewan, including Regina, Mortlach, Assiniboia, and Moose Jaw.
Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, Koop Sawatzky says she did not have an opportunity to participate in Broadway-style shows, so she is happy to give the kids this experience.
“We have students who travel two hours to come in for rehearsals — one way — because they are so passionate about telling stories through the medium of musical theatre. We have a really special group because they just love it.”
Kids will have their time to shine on the stage, no matter their age.
“In this show, as in the movie, we see young Anna and young Elsa and how she got her powers…So we have a young Anna and a young Elsa who are five and six, and they are the stars of the show for 20 minutes or so before we go to the middle Anna and Elsa and learn the next part of the show. I think that is pretty special,” said Koop Sawatzky. “Working together, regardless of age or experience, really makes the show more about being a team and telling the story than about having seniority. I think that is a really special lesson for kids to learn.”
Moreover, Koop Sawatzky says it is a challenging production.
“Most kids, even if they are in the ensemble, they are doing probably five or six costume changes. And they are running. Because we are doing this in the Alliance auditorium, there are six different doors from the audience that the kids will be coming in from, as well as two entrances from behind the stage. They are running constantly throughout the show to come through all these different entrances. There are a lot of easier ways to stage this, but I think our way is pretty magical.”
There are matinees on Thursday and Friday, beginning at 12:30 p.m. These shows are typically meant for school classes, but the performances have been opened up to the public. Thursday’s 7 p.m. performance will have a pay-what-you-can component, as Koop Sawatzky says they don’t want anyone to be hindered by finances.
More than anything, she wants the audience to have fun at the show. To that end, audience members are encouraged to dress up as their favourite character.
“We would love to have the space filled up with princes or princes or queens or kings,” said Koop-Sawatzky. “I want to have a room filled with people who are part of the story and are not just observers.”
There will also be games in the foyer, a play area for kids who need to take a break, and a “queen’s chamber” for nursing moms. Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase.
Frozen Jr. will run Thursday and Friday at 12:30 and 7 p.m. The final performance will be Saturday at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25/$20 for general admission rush seating. VIP upgrades are available for $10 each. Tickets can be purchased online through sawatzkystudios.com, at Dream Drop Terrarium Shoppe (located at 50 Stadacona St. West), or at the door 60 minutes before the show.
