Mr. Finder
On May 14th and 15th, Greenport High School presented its spring musical, Disney's Frozen JR. After the drama department endured a three-year hiatus, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the decision to perform the heartwarming, bright, and magnetic musical was a no-brainer. The pressure was especially on, considering that a Disney musical is no small feat. However, the talented cast dazzled audiences performance after performance. The crew worked effortlessly backstage with sets, projections, snow machines, and colorful lights to transport audiences into the magical land of Arendelle.
Disney's Frozen JR. is an adaption of both the 2018 Broadway musical and the 2013 animated film. It includes Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez's marvelous original songs For the First Time in Forever, Love is an Open Door, Do You Want to Build a Snowman?, and Let It Go. Greenport's middle and high school students did an astonishing job at tackling the musical's demanding and famed score.
Based very loosely on Hans Christain Andersen's fairytale The Snow Queen, Disney's Frozen JR. follows the adventures of royal sisters Anna and Elsa. Growing up, the duo was inseparable and enjoyed playing around with the snowy and magical powers that Elsa was born with. Their endearing relationship was portrayed perfectly by Faith Welch (Young Anna) and Devin Stanton (Young Elsa) in the exuberant opening number Let the Sun Shine On. After Anna is accidentally struck by Elsa's powers, the two princesses are separated and Anna's memory is erased of all magic. Jayda Hubbard-Wirts (Middle Anna) used her irresistible voice to beautifully depict Anna's loneliness and, later, devastation over the passing of her parents.
After ten years, Elsa's coronation day has arrived and she is about to be crowned queen. Anna (marvelously portrayed by the bubbly, energetic, and gifted Brianna Rivas) can barely contain her excitement, while Elsa (dynamically embodied by senior Anabelle Odell with the perfect amount of refinement and warmth) is dreading the event. After Elsa's powers are exposed and she accidentally triggers an eternal winter, she flees to the North Mountain. Anna enlists the help of Kristoff (deftly played with humor and punch by Richie Kaffaga), Sven (joyfully played by Isabella Sarabia), and Olaf (brought to life by natural-born ham and showgirl Cameron Stanton) to save her kingdom and bring her family together again.
Along the journey, beloved characters from the film appear to aid Anna and company or at least entertain with a song. Raelynn Hayes portrayed Prince Hans with a devilish charm, Savannah Corwin-Hall conveyed sauna-owner Oaken with perfect comedic timing, Alex Rowsom played a hilarious and entertaining Duke of Weselton, while the duo of Shayla Bouyer and Lea Rodger portrayed hidden folk Pabbie and Bulda with hilarity and flair. Throughout the musical, ensemble members shined and each had a moment of their own (Janet Carbajal, Stefany Chapeton Azama, Makayla Harvey, Jocelyn Jacobi Holmes, Alisson Salazar Herera).
After each show, children in the audience topped off the magical experience by meeting and taking pictures with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. Kudos to the cast and crew for a successful run, the Greenport community is looking forward to seeing the cast utilize their talent in many future productions to come.
Special congratulations are also in order for Cristal Galicia-Sarmiento (Artistic and Projection Design), Ray Versheck (Costume Design), and Josh Versheck (Lighting Design) on their East End Teeny Award nominations for exceptional technical contributions.