PicksInSix Review: Disney's FROZEN The Broadway Musical-Paramount Theatre

For the First Time in Forever…
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

Paramount Theatre’s sensational production of Disney’s “FROZEN The Broadway Musical”— featuring the electrically-charged performances of Emily Kristen Morris and Beth Stafford Laird—opened Friday in Aurora to the thunderous cheers of fans both young and old who have helped to canonize the 2013 film’s anthems “Let It Go” and “For the First Time in Forever” into Disney’s musical lexicon and made modern day icons of a rambunctious reindeer with an attitude and a playful snowman with joie de vivre and a yearning for a summer vacation.  

The show that garnered three 2018 Tony nominations (Best Musical, Book and Original Score) features music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee based on the smash hit 2013 Disney animated film written by Lee. Paramount’s Midwest Regional premiere is directed by Trent Stork with a top-flight creative team including choreographer Tiffany Krause and music director Kory Danielson who also conducts the orchestra.

The story begins in the mythical kingdom of Arendelle and follows the child sorcerous Elsa (Everleigh Murphy shared with Genevieve Jane) and her younger sister Anna (Avelyn Choi shared with Elowen Murphy) whose loving relationship for each other is severed when their parents King Agnarr (Brian Hupp) and Queen Iduna (Allison Sill) discover that Elsa’s inability to control her mystical powers are a direct threat to Anna’s life. When Anna is saved by the Hidden Folk with no memory of the encounter, the parents venture off for a cure and disappear. As time passes, the coming-of-age Anna (Laird) is confused by her sister’s self-isolation in the castle and yearns to be reunited with Elsa (Morris). On the day of Elsa’s coronation, Prince Hans (Jake DiMaggio Lopez) arrives, sweeps Anna off her feet and proposes marriage. Elsa refuses to bless the sudden union and in a frustrated rage, drops her guard and is forced to flee from the castle when her powers are revealed. In the wilderness, Elsa then creates an icy sanctuary of her own, unaware that her awakening has plunged the kingdom into an endless winter. Anna, despondent and desperate, is left with no choice but to pursue her sister and try to bring her back. She is soon joined by the mountain man Kristoff (Christian Andrews), his trustworthy reindeer companion Sven (Adam Fane) and the irrepressible snowman Olaf (Ryan Stajmiger)—courtesy of puppet designer Jesse Mooney-Bullock. Not far behind is Hans and the conniving Duke of Weselton (Jason Richards) who have diabolical plans of their own.

Scenic designer Jeffrey D, Kmiec, projections designer Paul Deziel and lighting and sound designers Greg Hofmann and Adam Rosenthal have created a magical, ever-evolving icy landscape with superb scenic projections—including a wink to Aurora’s Fox River—and eye-popping special effects. Mara Blumenfeld’s stunning costume design has magical treats all their own.

The shimmering and flawless performances of Laird’s “For the First Time in Forever” and Morris’s “Let It Go” are highlights in a score that includes brilliant ensemble arrangements and specialty numbers including the fine company with Oaken (David Blakeman) in the hilarious trading post number “Hygge,” with Elsa in “Dangerous to Dream,” and Kristoff, Olaf and Hidden Folk in “Fixer Upper.”     

Life lessons abound here about remaining positive in the face of adversity, coping with loss and isolation, and understanding ourselves and our place in the world around us. But it’s Anna’s determination to put her love for others above all else that will warm your heart for “FROZEN,” a fun-filled musical extravaganza for the entire family.

PHOTO|Liz Lauren

PARAMOUNT THEATRE
presents
FROZEN
The Broadway Musical
through January 19, 2024

23 East Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL 60506

(630) 896–6666

WEBSITE

TICKETS

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PicksInSix Review: Billy Elliot The Musical - Paramount Theatre

Billy Elliot: “It’s Showtime Baby!”
PicksInSix® Gold Review | Ed Tracy

What’s happening right now at Paramount Theatre in Aurora will not soon come this way again. “It’s showtime, baby!” Bring it on!

“Billy Elliot The Musical,” the Elton John/Lee Hall ten-time Tony Award winner with a long, rich love affair with Chicago, opened Friday in what can only be described as a phenomenal, electrifying production. As directed by Trent Stork and choreographed by Isaiah Silva-Chandley, this quintessential “Billy Elliot” features an enormously talented cast led by Ron E. Rains as Dad, Michelle Aravena as Mrs. Wilkinson and, on opening night, the arresting performance of Neo Del Corral as Billy Elliot, the young boy discovering his life’s passion in the midst of a tumultuous period of unrest as his small hometown north of London is embroiled in the 1984 coal miner’s strike.

The story unfolds amid a visual feast—adorned with Izumi Inaba’s costumes on scenic designer Michelle Lilly’s colossal sixty-foot-high steel-themed coal mine set with two-story moving stairway systems that are reconfigured to frame the evolving scenes moving effortlessly in sync with Greg Hoffman’s dynamic lighting design, Mike Tutaj projections and a crisp sound design by Adam Rosenthal.

The lovely and talented Aravena commands the stage in a fierce performance as the dance instructor who first discovers Billy’s true potential in ballet and fights for his opportunity to pursue a dream. Del Corral—who alternates the role of Billy with Sam Duncan—plays the 1,900 seat Paramount Theatre with extraordinary poise, presence and a strength of character that belies his years. And when Billy and his gay friend Michael (Gabriel Lafazan) get together, it’s showtime, baby! — a dynamic duo of pint-sized firebrands tap dancing and singing up a storm with a streak of sassy larceny a mile long in the show-stopping hit “Expressing Yourself.”

One of the most impressive ensembles ever assembled at Paramount includes many of Chicago’s most accomplished actors who cover the citizenry of life-worn miners opposed by an army of police along with a bevy of early career prima ballerinas all under the brilliant musical direction of Kory Danielson who conducts the Paramount Orchestra. Rains returns to a role he has played previously with a seasoned, passionate and superb multi-layered performance as Billy’s Dad. Barbara Robertson is exquisite as Billy’s endearing Grandma and Jennie Sophia is a beacon of purity as Billy’s Mum in the tender, emotionally charged ballad “The Letter” with Aravena and Del Corral.  Dakota Hughes (Mr. Braithwaite), Joe Foust (George), and Spencer Davis Milford (Tony) are all stellar, as is the stunning Swan Lake ballet with Billy and Older Billy (Christopher Kelley)— a work of art that utilizes the full range of the Paramount’s expansive stage.

The sheer grandeur of the closing moments of this production left me in awe and ranks as the most beautiful visual tapestry I have ever—repeat, ever—seen in a theatre. I am still thinking about it and how Paramount's stunning production of "Billy Elliot" will now occupy a permanent place in my memory box of this show.

PHOTO|Liz Lauren

PARAMOUNT THEATRE
presents
Billy Elliot The Musical
through March 24, 2024

23 East Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL 60506

(630) 896–6666

WEBSITE

TICKETS

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

ARCHIVE

PicksInSix® is a registered trademark of Roxbury Road Creative, LLC

PICKSINSIX Review: LEGALLY BLONDE

‘LEGALLY BLONDE’ “SISTERHOOD. IT’S FOREVER!”

A champion we can believe in… Elle Woods, the fashionista-turned-law-school-student-turned-goddess in “Legally Blonde,” is a champion we can believe in to succeed at every turn. One of those turns — a dramatic and inappropriate confrontation with a professor — may jolt you like it did everyone I sat next to in a recent matinee. But Elle (the shimmering Casey Shuler) sends a defiant message to Callahan (James Rank) in that moment, firmly standing her ground. It’s powerful stuff and with a mantra like: “Sisterhood. It’s Forever!” there is no doubt that the underlying message of this new age edition has crystalized in the hands of Director Trent Stork. For “OMIGOD!” so many reasons, the Paramount Theatre production of “Legally Blonde” is a monster must-see hit!

"LEGALLY BLONDE" starring Casey Shuler now playing at Paramount Theatre through October 21st. TICKETS

Effervescent romp… There may be no more timely musical on stage in Chicago at this moment than “Legally Blonde.” The rollicking 2007 pop anthem for female empowerment with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe/Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach is an effervescent romp that will make you giddy enough to accessorize in pink, get a dog of your own and get into Harvard Law School. (Good luck with that last one!)

Amazingly versatile company… Pursuing what she believes is her endless love, Elle hopelessly yearns for Warner Huntington III (Tyler Lain) the elitest boyfriend who dumped her and took up with Vivienne Kensington (Jacquelyne Jones) who is a bit of a snob. Elle finds that there is more to being accepted than just getting into Harvard. Along the way, she meets Emmett Forrest (Gerald Caesar) an earnest student mentor who sees Elle for herself. The amazingly versatile company includes a terrific Greek Chorus following Elle’s every move led by Serena (Lucy Godinez), Margot (Sara Reinecke), and Pilar (Kyrie Courter) who shake the pillars and rock the house.

Paramount Theatre production of “LEGALLY BLONDE” now playing through October 21st. TICKETS

Pump-It-Up… In the sidetrack to the main story, Paulette (Sophie Grimm) is a hair stylist who enlists Elle and Emmett’s support to retrieve what is rightfully hers. Paulette gets some advice of her own to help break out of her shell in “Bend and Snap.” When the murder mystery points to Brooke Wyndham – the electric, ‘Pump-It-Up!’ workout number “Whipped Into Shape” by Jenna Coker-Jones – things start to go into hyperdrive all the way to the show-stopping courtroom scene “There! Right There!” Featured performances abound but watch for the debonair UPS guy Kyle B. O’Boyle (James Doherty), Carlos (Yando Lopez) a key witness, and a couple of lovable canines named Bruiser (Frankie) and Rufus (Romeo) the two rescue-dog stars.

Top-flight production team… Director Stork, who also choreographs with Megan E. Farley, has assembled a top-flight production team that includes Jeffrey D. Kmiec (Scenic), Theresa Ham (Costumes), Mick Belley (Lighting), Mike Tutaj (Projections) and Adam Rosenthal (Sound). Music Director Kory Danielson conducts the impressive orchestra, so, in short, as the kids say: “OMIGOD! OMIGOD, You Guys! GO!”

PHOTOS|Liz Lauren
VIDEO|Paramount Theatre
Originally Published: September 29, 2018
Revised: October 1, 2018

PARAMOUNT THEATRE
Presents
LEGALLY BLONDE
through October 21st
23 East Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL
(630) 896-6666

WEBSITE

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

ARCHIVE