FLASH FRIDAY: FROZEN Is Aiming To Freeze Up Broadway In A Big Way

Today we are celebrating this week's big news that FROZEN will be hitting Broadway with a song-packed score!

In Summer

Broadway and Hollywood are abuzz this week with the news of Disney's most successful animated film of all time making its way to the Great White Way in a brand new stage adaptation of FROZEN, purportedly eyeing a 2017 bow if recent unconfirmed reports are correct. Yesterday, the Academy Award-winning songwriters behind international chart-topping mega-hit showstopper "Let It Go", Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson Lopez, confirmed that they had completed about a doezen brand new songs for the new stage iteration, as BroadwayWorld reported here, while also confirming to me back in our InDepth InterView earlier this year, available here, that they would most likely not be utilizing any of the trunk songs originally written for the long-gestating project. At the time, the affable pair, who are also married in real-life, commented on the Broadway edition of the movie, with Mr. Lopez sharing, "Oh, I don't think anything from the bottom drawer would really fit - those songs were all meant for moments that were eventually cut. But, never say never...," whereas Mrs. Anderson Lopez said, "There's always fabric there, though. In everything you do for these characters there are pieces and motifs and feels and tempos that you can say, 'Oh, remember that one?' about when you're writing something new. We do recycle things, but they just aren't always recognizably recycled." Besides the songs in the film - many of which are ubiquitous and quickly becoming modern-day classics in their own right - the new Broadway score will be entirely fresh. Score one for snowmen!

Speaking of the memorable characters in the feature film, what then about the cast? Incidentally, Broadway baby turned global superstar Idina Menzel has revealed she would "love" being a part of a stage version, as would co-star Kristen Bell, while Jonathan Groff has similarly agreed that he would likely agree to participate in anything FROZEN-related down the line. Additionally, featured player Santino Fontana shared his enthusiasm for appearing in a big screen sequel in our InDepth InterView here, so perhaps he would be open to the idea of appearing onstage in the show, as well, given his penchant for multimedia performances - concurrently, as is often the case for the in demand Broadway and Hollywood headliner. As for Josh Gad, he has shared a slightly less enthusiastic response to being a part of the stage show - but, then again, an elaborate snowman costume as one would imagine would be used by the creative team involved would not allow the Tony-nominated actor much chance to truly shine. And, on the note of creative team, visionary and fiercely idiosyncratic director Alex Timbers, famed for his innovative stagings of ROCKY, HERE LIES LOVE and the Lopezes's new musical UP HERE, has been rumored to be in talks to direct the Broadway edition, as well. Time will tell, but Broadway is certainly ready to get frozen over - especially when suffering from hellishly hot weeks as those among us in NYC are currently experiencing. "In Summer," indeed!

Let It Go

So, now, let's look at some of FROZEN's finest moments as we anticipate the property hitting Broadway some season soon.

First up, revisit the trailer for FROZEN.

Also, remind yourself of the joys of summer (for a snowman) with Josh Gad's "In Summer".

Next, see the song that was heard around the world - "Let It Go", sung by Idina Menzel.

Go behind the scenes and see Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell record their leading roles.

So, what is your absolute ideal cast for a Broadway edition of FROZEN? Furthermore, what part of the story would you like to see expanded for a mainstage musical adaptation? With a story this iconic already and characters this beloved, the Lopezes have a mighty mountain to climb in bringing FROZEN to the stage and making its legions of fans happy with the result. Those who dare climb Mount Everest certainly have nothing on the gigantic challenge standing before these two.

Photo Credits: Disney