The icy Disney classic Frozen: The Broadway Musical comes to life at Casa Mañana, running through November 15
Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and the real meaning of true love. When Princess Elsa is crowned Queen of Arendelle, the magical powers she’s tried to hide burst forth, cursing the land into a forever winter. As Elsa flees into the mountains, her sister Anna sets off on a journey to find her and bring her home. Along the way, she gains the help of ice harvester Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.
Frozen: The Broadway Musical stars Leandra Ellis-Gaston as Elsa, Sydney Dotson as Anna, Paul Schwensen as Hans, Justin Showell as Kristoff, Logan Rafanelli as Weselton, Landon Thompson as Sven, David Postlewate as Olaf, Simon Kowalski as Oaken, Taylor Jo Bryant as Queen Iduna, Zach Sutton as King Agnarr, Braxton O. Johnson as Pabbie, Kayla Haskins as Bulda, Lana Gatlin as Young Elsa, and Ella Buckner as Young Anna. Ensemble includes Allison Bridgeman, Steven Rios, Evan Hussey, Danny Tran, Bennett Cooper, Van Leonard, Ally Kay Ramsey, Maria Shorunke, and Grace Moore.
Eugenio Contenti (Director/Choreographer) is a director, choreographer, and writer whose work has been seen across the U.S., Italy, Spain, and Mexico. Most recently, he directed the Italian premieres and national tours of Amélie and Murder for Two. Casa Mañana credits include: Rent, Come From Away, The Lightning Thief, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once, and A Man of No Importance. Other notable credits include A Little Night Music, Nine, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Italian National Tour), Bring It On, The Full Monty, Cabaret, and Footloose, as well as the Italian and Spanish productions of Legally Blonde, for which he also served as artistic consultant. Eugenio teaches masterclasses internationally and has collaborated with performing arts institutions throughout Italy, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. As a writer, his plays What a Drag! and Escape the Music received national premieres in Italy. His translation and adaptation credits include the Italian productions of First Date, Curtains, and Legally Blonde, as well as the upcoming national tour of Mrs. Doubtfire.
Jesse Warkentin (Music Director) served as musical director and conductor for the International Broadway Tour of An American In Paris, traveling to China, Taiwan, and Paris. US Broadway Tours include Wicked, An American In Paris and Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Jesse has performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular orchestra, music directed and performed at numerous regional theatres including: MTWichita (The Wizard Of Oz, Beauty & The Beast, Matilda), Ogunquit Playhouse (Beautiful), NorthShore (Spamalot), Casa Mañana (Beautiful, Jersey Boys), A.C.T. of CT (Frozen), City Springs Theatre (Les Misérables, White Christmas, Frozen), Tuacahn (Beautiful), and enjoys working on new theatre projects when home in NYC.
Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Elsa)is a multi-disciplinary artist from Columbia, South Carolina. She was recently seen as Sugar in the National Tour of Some Like It Hot. She has also appeared in Six and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and the National Tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Sydney Dotson(Anna) is super excited to be back under the Dome, this time playing her dream redhead! Favorite credits: Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr., Carrie in Carrie the Musical (Casa Mañana), Maggie in A Chorus Line (Theatre Arlington), Fiddler on the Roof (Paper Mill Playhouse).
Paul Schwensen(Hans)began his acting career at the age of six, performing in Bye Bye Birdie with his parents. Broadway: Elder Price Standby, The Book of Mormon. National Tours: Fiyero u/s, Wicked; Chris u/s, Miss Saigon.
Justin Showell’s (Kristoff) credits include: Hamilton (National Tour), Floyd Collins (Broadway), Buena Vista Social Club (Atlantic Theater Company), Damn Yankees (Arena Stage and upcoming Broadway Production). University of Michigan Class of ’19.
David Postlewate (Olaf)previously appeared at Casa Mañana in The SpongeBob Musical (SpongeBob), Hairspray (Fender and Link u/s), and West Side Story (Baby John). He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas Tech University and trained at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, where he is currently based. Other regional credits include Cats and Guys and Dolls (Utah Festival Opera), as well as Kinky Boots and Fiddler on the Roof (Interlakes Summer Theater).
Additional creative staff include J Branson as scenic designer, Samuel Rushen as lighting designer, Brian Pacelli as projection designer, Allan Branson as sound designer, Tammy Spencer as costume designer, and Catherine Petty-Rogers as hair/wig/makeup designer.
Frozen: The Broadway Musical ticket prices start at $39 and can be purchased by visiting www.casamanana.org. Tickets are also available at the Casa Mañana Theatre Box Office, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth.
Remaining performance dates and times are as follows: Wednesday, November 11 at 6pm, Thursday, November 12 at 7:30pm, Friday, November 13 at 8pm, Saturday, November 14 at 2 pm and 8pm, and Sunday, November 15 at 2pm.*
*This performance includes ASL interpretation.
About Casa Mañana
Casa Mañana Theatre has produced professional Broadway and Children’s Theatre in Fort Worth for over 65 years. As a performing arts organization, Casa Mañana strives to create, nurture and advance live professional theatre unparalleled in artistic excellence for the enrichment and education of its diverse community and its future generations of artists and patrons. Casa Mañana’s Broadway, Children’s Theatre and Reid Cabaret Theatre productions are seen by nearly 110,000 people annually and over 45,000 school children attend its Children’s Theatre productions each year. Learn more at www.casamanana.org.