INTERVIEW: Bobby Lopez, Kristen Anderson on the Golden Globes Red Carpet

By Elton Lugay

Excerpts taken from Philippine Daily Inquirer. With permission from Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Beverly Hills, CA, January 13, 2014--Filipino American and Tony Award-winning composer Bobby Lopez, who created and co-wrote "The Book of Mormon" and "Avenue Q," and his wife, Kristen Anderson, were nominated for Best Original Song "Let It Go" from the Disney animated feature film "Frozen," also nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, at the 71st Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Sunday, January 12.

"It's incredible, I know that there aren't that many Filipino American composers out there," Brooklyn native told me when I sought him out for comments. "But I know there's a lot of them who are talented enough to be. For them who'd see me and Kristen and realize that they can do it too, that would mean a lot to me." Bobby said he had no expectations, and they are just having "so much fun."

But Bobby and Kristen talked about the song they had written.

"The song is called 'Let It Go' and it's sung by Idina Menzel. The song just seem to have caught fire with everyone that has seen it. We've seen it on YouTube, there's all this different versions of people singing it in their living rooms, people's kids. People keep forwarding us videos of rooms full of children dancing and singing to the song," said Bobby, looking dapper in a Ralph Lauren tux.

"I think it's a combination of the beautiful animation," added Kristen. "Idina's incredible voice, a story and a character that really connect with people. I think everyone has some fear or shame holding them back from being as special as they can be. I think the idea of breaking free from that is something joyful to sing about."

Unfortunately, "Ordinary Love" by U2 and Danger Mouse won Best Original Song. It provided scoring to "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."

However, "Frozen" was named Best Animated Feature Film, beating "Despicable Me 2" and "The Croods."

"Frozen" tells the story of fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), who sets off on an epic journey--teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven--to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

Special thanks to Ruben Nepales, former chair of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and his wife, Janet. - Oliver Oliveros