Women’s History Month- Musicals

As many are aware, March is Women’s History Month. That makes me wonder are there any musicals that celebrate women. As a matter of fact, there are- at the moment, I can’t think of many. So, what musicals do celebrate women?

Frozen

This musical centers on Elsa and Anna, two sisters born into royalty. They both are strong and brave women. Elsa was born with snow and ice powers, and the eldest. She doesn’t know how to control them, and hopes to protects Anna. Elsa grew up ashamed of her powers and was labeled to be a “monster”. Despite that, she still was a strong woman.

Anna, on the other hand, wants to be closer to be sister as in having a stronger bond. She trusts her sister. Anna was the one to go after her sister, and that is how she came across Kristoff, the only one who can help her get through the mountains. She is full of life, outgoing, and impulsive ). She was pretty brave considering she never left the castle.

Wicked

Well, this is yet another musical centering on two female characters. The sisterhood in Frozen is very similar to the friendship in Wicked. I see parallels between Elsa and Elphaba (both born with powers they don’t know how to control and are misunderstood), and even Glinda and Anna are similar (the outgoing nature).

Elphaba and Glinda have a powerful and strong bond, as shown in “For Good”. Both girls are brave, strong, and complex. Their friendship really strengthens thanks to the love triangle- it is a way to test their loyalty.

For the First Time in Forever

Finally, I saw Frozen in person. This time around, I was even more excited. Originally, I was supposed to see the stage show October 2020, but that got postponed. So seeing it now is why I was more excited.

The Cast

Young Anna- Aria Kane

Young Elsa- Arwen Monzon-Sanders

Anna- Lauren Nicole Chapman

Elsa- Caroline Bowman

Hans- Austin Colby

Kristoff- Mason Reeves

Sven- Evan Strand

Olaf- F. Michael Haynie

My Review

I loved how in the stage show, the bond between Elsa and Anna felt stronger. As in, they started developing it further when the two girls were only children. That is what the two opening songs were able to accomplish- “Vueile/Let the Sun Shine On”, and “A Little Bit of You” shows a lot more bonding time between the sisters. I really loved the two actresses I saw playing the girls- you for sure could apart who who was older and who was younger (my Young Anna was smaller than Young Elsa.

Caroline Bowman was an incredible Elsa. Always had an incredible stage presence. Her moments with Lauren Nicole Chapman (Anna) were incredible. Even when they were older, there was a lot of bonding time- like the party after the coronation (you saw them interacting a couple of times). Even when they meet up again at Elsa’s palace- at the song, “I Can’t Lose You”. She really captured Elsa’s emotions well.

Lauren Nicole Chapman’s Anna was fun to watch- Anna is who I relate to the most when it comes to the two sisters. As a matter of fact, this actress played Anna on Broadway, so she has experience in the role.

Mason Reeve’s Kristoff was amazing as well. He really was able to speak in two voices- both Kristoff’s and Sven’s. Kristoff Lullaby was emotional- coming in, I knew the kind of emotion required for that song.

F. Michael Haynie as Olaf was a delight- I mean, what is as fun a talking snowman. Yes, a snowman who is interested in Summer.

*On a side note, I also got the Pabbie I wanted——I wanted the main one because he was a Charlotte native*

Songs

Yes, I do love the additional songs in Frozen. However, there is still one small disappointment- the cut of “True Love”, which I only know once existed due to it being on the Original Broadway Soundtrack. I still really missed the chance of getting to see it performed live- it is a heartbreaking solo meant for Anna. I thought the addition of “I Can’t Lose You” will make up for the loss of “True Love”, but it didn’t despite loving that one new song.

For the longest time, I had a hard time understanding “Hygee”, but now it makes sense. Now that I was seeing the scene. I wasn’t expecting Oaken to say “Welcome Charlotte”. I have heard people say that song is unnecessary, but Kristoff and Anna have to make it to Oaken’s eventually—so it would not be surprising if a song happens there.

Special Effects

I loved the way they showed Elsa’s powers. It was very magical and wonderful to watch. The moment Elsa changed her dress in “Let it Go” was unbelievable. Even during “Colder by the Minute” when Anna freezes how the ensemble comes together to get the effect. How in the world?

Relating to Anna (Frozen)

Now that is June, I now have BIG plans. Every year, I always have a goal of seeing at least one musical. June will be the start of that- as it the month Frozen will be touring to my hometown. Frozen was originally planned for October 2020, but got postponed. So basically, June 2022 is a makeup, so in many ways I am even more excited. Which sister do I relate to more?

Anna

For starters, I am the youngest in my family. I am also full of life, outgoing, and optimistic. I even share one of her flaws, which is impulsivity. I can understand her struggle of being closer to her sister- even I wish I had a stronger relationship with my sister. So I get it- the struggle of sisterhood. Because I relate to Anna so much, she is the contemporary Disney princess I am most like.

Disney Princesses I am A Combo of

For many people, we are a combo of one classic and one contemporary Disney princess. Now, let me say who my combo belongs to.

Belle

The most obvious similarity between the two of us are the bookworm side of us. Not only are we both bookworms, but unique as well.

Anna

The two of us share a lot in common. For starters, we are the both the youngest. There is a lot in common when it comes to personality- outgoing, optimistic, and impulsive. We both want to have a stronger relationship with our sisters.

The Next Right Thing Analysis

This is a heartbreaking song sung by Anna from Frozen II. Musical sequels tend to struggle, but I really enjoyed Frozen II.

I’ve seen dark before
But not like this
This is cold
This is empty
This is numb
The life I knew is over
The lights are out
Hello, darkness
I’m ready to succumb

I follow you around
I always have
But you’ve gone to a place I cannot find
This grief has a gravity
It pulls me down
But a tiny voice whispers in my mind
You are lost, hope is gone
But you must go on
And do the next right thing

Can there be a day beyond this night?
I don’t know anymore what is true
I can’t find my direction, I’m all alone
The only star that guided me was you
How to rise from the floor
When it’s not you I’m rising for?
Just do the next right thing
Take a step, step again
It is all that I can to do
The next right thing

I won’t look too far ahead
It’s too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath
This next step
This next choice is one that I can make

So I’ll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing
And with the dawn, what comes then?
When it’s clear that everything will never be the same again
Then I’ll make the choice
To hear that voice
And do the next right thing

Frozen II

Anna sings this song after losing Olaf and Elsa. She is totally devastated at the moment, but needs to find a way to move on. In the story, Anna and Elsa were trying to save The Enchanted Forest. In the song, Anna discovers how she can do “the next right thing”, which is destroying the dam, which could possibly damage Arendelle. She has to find that inner strength and determination. Despite being heartbreaking, it still talks about moving on.