Review: FROSTY Serves Up an Adventure

Gene Autry's famous song, "Frosty The Snowman" (written by Jack Rolling and Steve Nelson) first the radio in December of 1950 and since then there have been many incarnations of Frosty: from famous recordings like The Chipmunks or The Jackson 5 to the beloved 1969 animated special, which airs on TV every year. A new version of this holiday classic written by William Francis is currently playing at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo Park.

The play, with a few songs including the famous one, is a simple story of children home on a snow day and find a magical hat that makes their snowman come to life. The story, like the song, is non-denominational holiday fare, so even those who do not celebrate Christmas will not have to fret over being inundated with Christmas references. The original story, not based on the 1969 animated special, is fun, but not particularly memorable, but that doesn't matter to the multitudes of children enjoying the show at the performance I saw.

As is the case with these shows, the success hinges solely on the cast, and these seven actors do their part. Anchored by Frosty himself, Dallas Tollentino is a truly gifted physical performer. With little dialogue, he really conveys the story through his playful movement and acrobatic skills. The two "adults" of the cast, the bumbling police officer (Matthew Aldwin McGee) and the stereotypical villain (Farrell Parker) are both well cast and do a wonderful job with the material. Ms. Parker, a gifted actress I have seen in many other plays in the area, is a bit wasted here. I would have loved more of her "Natasha Fatale" character and might have added more conflict to the story. The quarter of lovable "children" kept home from school is nicely played by Hasani Allen, Julia Klavans, Jordan Lee, and Taylor Witt.

When entering the theater, audiences are greeted by a nostalgic recreation of Glen Echo Park, designed seamlessly by Jos. B. Musumeci, Jr and coolly lit by Brian S. Allard. Sydney Moore's costumes, are simple, yet effective, particularly Frosty's Al. White suit. Director Jason Schlafstein does a nice job of bringing this story to life, with the assistance of choreographer Michael J. Bobbitt and fight director Jonathan Ezra Rubin.

Adventure Theatre MTC does Theatre For Young Audiences very well, and they do so again in this fun production that every child I saw was enthralled by. While some shows at ATMTC have some nice laughs for the adult chaperones, this one is geared solely towards the kids. And that's all that really matters, because at this time of the year, seeing a child smile is enough enjoyment for any adult.

Frosty The Snowman plays through December 31, 2017 at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD 20812.

Box Office: (301) 634-2270 or online.

Photo Credits: Michael Horan & Sarah Straub

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