The stage is set

Coal City Middle School to present Frozen, Jr.

LOVE COMES QUICKLY for Princess Anna (Ava Houston) who finds Hans (Jared Counterman) to be somewhat of a prince charming upon their first meeting during the Princess Elsa’s coronation. However, the announcement of their engagement sets off a series of events that leave the kingdom in eternal winter. The story of Princess Anna and her sister, Elsa will be told as Coal City Middle School presents Disney’s Frozen, Jr. during a three show run that begins Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Coal City Performing Arts Center.

By: 
Ann Gill
Editor

A royal family beloved by all with two princesses who’s story starts when they were small. It’s a story first told on the big screen and later adapted to the stage, and this week a group of talented young students will share the story of the princesses of Arendell in Coal City Middle School’s production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. The production is a junior version of the Broadway show that began its run in 2018 and is based on the popular animated film of the same name. When the curtain goes up, audience members will be transported to Arendell at a time when Princesses Elsa and Anna are young and playful. As they build a snowman, an unintentional accident occurs that separates the sisters for years. The two come back together when Elsa assumes the crown, but it isn’t long until they are once again separated by the magic that tore them apart as youngsters and casts eternal winter on their kingdom. Princess Anna heads off in search of her sister and comes upon some interesting characters including the mystical snowman the young royal once built from a ball and a boat. The popular tale has generated a great deal of interest locally, as the upcoming production is nearing a three show sell out. Producer/director Jack Micetich is not all that surprised at the interest in the show knowing the popularity of the film and its lovable characters. In just the first 12 hours of sales over 1,000 tickets were sold. As of early this week just a handful of tickets remained for the Saturday and Sunday performances, and Micetich reported just about 100 remained for the opening performance on Thursday. The students have been working on the show since September beginning with choreography and vocal rehearsals. The past few weeks have been dedicated to blocking and adding the technical elements. “The students have been working hard on every element of this show and are looking forward to sharing it with audiences,” he said. The set design, costumes, technical elements and lighting add to the magic that come with a Disney production and for the actors it’s among the highlights of performing in a Coal City Theatre Department production. For the audience, it’s the finishing touch on a production that is based on outstanding acting, vocals and movement by the actors who in this show are led by Elaina Patten and Ava Houston who take the stage as Elsa and Anna, respectively. The young princesses are played by Kylee Kennell and Katie Huston. Sixth grader Dane Noffsinger appears as the show’s hug-loving snowman, Olaf. Stage veterans Stephen Byers, Jared Counterman and Mason Natyshok also take on leadership roles in the cast as Kristoff, Hans and Weselton, respectively. Logan Housman takes on the role of Oaken and the king and queen of Arendell are played by Michael Smith and Eliana Chernesky. And, leading the colony of hidden folk are Kilen Davidson and Bulda and Max Hone as Pabbie. They take the stage with a talented ensemble of middle schoolers who round out the 40-member cast. The ensemble is comprised of Olivia Sage, Bella Byers, Lily McCants, Gianna Savrino, Destiny Medina, Dakota Clubb, Sophia Vota, Sydney Hughes, Bridget Feeney, D’Arcy Ness, Stana Milinkovic, Alaina Morales, Melody Kinder and Amelia Fritz. Also, William McArdle, Netty Arthur, Austin Harding, Mae Connor, Martin Ramirez, Mackenzie Brown, Angel McNear, Cassidy Jenke, Tyson Sample, Chessa Kuhel, Ethan Scrogham, Ethan Rakes and Elsa Bunton. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the evening performances and 1 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. Seating begins 30 minutes prior to each performance. Ticketed audience members should arrive to the theater no later than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled performance. Those looking to purchase tickets at the door can do so beginning one hour prior to each performance. Sold out shows will have a standby line should seats become available. Information on same day ticket sales, the standby line process and general rules for this production can be found on the theatre department’s social media pages.