Displaying items by tag: Nick Berninger

Disney's Frozen the Musical arrives at Marriott Theatre's intimate in-the-round stage with a story most audience members already know, though its enduring appeal relies on far more than ice castles and snowstorms. At its center is a moving tale of two sisters struggling to reconnect after years of fear and misunderstanding. Surrounding the audience on all sides, the production draws patrons directly into the kingdom of Arendelle, where family ties prove stronger than any spell.

The musical follows Princesses Anna and Elsa, whose childhood changes forever when Elsa's unexplained ability to create ice and snow accidentally puts her younger sister in danger. As Elsa grows older, she retreats into isolation, afraid her powers will hurt the people she loves. When those abilities are exposed during her coronation as queen, Elsa flees into the mountains, unintentionally plunging Arendelle into an endless winter.

Refusing to give up on her sister, Anna sets out to find Elsa and save the kingdom. Her journey introduces her to the rugged ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and the endlessly optimistic snowman Olaf. Together they navigate frozen landscapes, unexpected obstacles, and long-buried truths as Anna searches for a way to bring Elsa home.

While the show delivers plenty of humor, adventure, and recognizable songs, its real strength lies in its focus on acceptance and unconditional love. As Anna and Elsa confront the fears that have kept them apart, Disney's Frozen the Musical reminds audiences that true love does not always look like a fairy-tale romance. Sometimes it means having the courage to accept who you are and holding tight to family.

The production is led by Morgan Anita Wood as Elsa and Chloé Nadon-Enriquez as Anna, whose sisterly relationship anchors the entire evening. Wood is fabulous in the role; her voice is truly special because she combines disciplined, commanding vocal range with an effortless, rich, and velvety tone that you simply cannot teach. Opposite her, Nadon-Enriquez is a ball of energy whose lively animation completely wins over the crowd, delivering plenty of laughs alongside enjoyable singing.

Chloé Nadon-Enriquez as Anna and David Terrell Moreland as Kristoff in Marriott Theatre's production of Disney's Frozen the Musical. Photo by Justin Barbin.

They are joined by David Moreland, who delivers an earnest, disarming, vocal-rich performance as Kristoff. Fresh from his riveting, powerhouse lead turn in Jekyll & Hyde - a collaboration between Broadway In Chicago and Kokandy - Moreland proves he is a talent to watch. Rounding out the principal cast are Nick Berninger as the ever-cheerful Olaf and Justin Albinder as a smoothly charming Hans, both helping bring the beloved world of Arendelle to the stage. The puppetry is equally impressive, with Olaf (designed by The Rock Shop) and the reindeer Sven (designed by Jesse Mooney-Bullock) bursting with personality. Like Berninger, Garrett Lutz brings Sven to life with remarkable skill, operating the puppet with expressive movements that make the character feel genuinely alive. Their work is further supported by a talented, richly utilized ensemble that fills the stage with memorable townsfolk, bustling crowd scenes, and lively theatrical touches.

The score remains one of the show's biggest draws, with crowd-pleasing favorites such as "Let It Go," "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?," "For the First Time in Forever," and Olaf's delightful "In Summer" earning enthusiastic applause. The stage adaptation also benefits from several numbers written specifically for Broadway, most notably Elsa's soaring "Monster," which digs deeper into her inner turmoil.

Much of the production's success belongs to the creative team. Ashley Rodbro's direction keeps the characters' relationships front and center, even during the splashier production numbers. Katie Spelman fills the space with choreography that feels purposeful rather than decorative, and Ryan T. Nelson's music direction gives the score warmth and clarity, helping the cast tackle big vocal demands with confidence. Visually, the design turns the theater into a winter wonderland. From the moment audiences walk in, they are greeted by a snowy Arendelle artfully staged in the round, complete with dazzling special effects that bring the magic right to their seats. Swirling snow falls on and around the stage and wraparound lightboards encircling the theater shift dynamically with the action, flaring to life with icy brilliance whenever Elsa unleashes her powers.

Disney's Frozen the Musical succeeds because of the genuine humanity running through its core. Beneath the dazzling stagecraft, Elsa’s ice powers serve as a poignant metaphor for the truths we fear are too dangerous, too different, or too overwhelming to share with the world. The endless winter that overtakes Arendelle becomes more than a fairy-tale curse; it reflects the quiet, aching isolation we create when we lock away our authentic selves out of fear of hurting the people we love. Ultimately, the story reminds us that shame thrives in secrecy, and that real thaw only begins when we allow ourselves to be fully seen and accepted. Marriott Theatre's immersive staging delivers that message of forgiveness and self-acceptance with real theatrical flair.

Running November 4, 2026, through January 3, 2027, Disney's Frozen the Musical is a crowd-pleasing holiday outing that will delight longtime fans while welcoming a new generation to Arendelle.

Recommended.

For tickets and/or more show information, click here.