Palo Alto Players' 'Frozen' has treats for all ages

 

Anna (Lauren Berling in red) reunites with  her sister, Elsa (Astraea Brown), to the delight of (from left) Kristoff (Sadat Hoosain), reindeer Sven (Peter Bullen) and Olaf (Ralph Shehayed). (Photo by Scott Lasky) 

Palo Alto Players’ production of “Frozen” seemingly has something for everyone, especially the younger set.

The sold-out audience at the April 26 matinee on opening weekend included dozens of excited little girls outfitted like princesses and clearly delighted at what they were seeing and hearing.

Their outfits emulated the two principal characters, Anna (Lauren Berling) and Elsa (Astraea Brown), sisters who were princesses in the mythical kingdom of Arendelle.

Elsa, the older sister, had magical powers to create ice and snow that her parents tried to keep in check. However, after they died and she became queen, she accidentally revealed her powers and plunged Arendelle into endless winter, forcing her to flee.

Therefore, Anna set off to find her and try to melt the ice and snow. She was aided by an ice courier, Kristoff (Sadat Hossain), and his reindeer, Sven (Peter Bullen), along with a snowman, Olaf (Ralph Shehayed).

Based on the 2013 popular animated Disney film, “Frozen” is full of songs with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez with a book by Jennifer Lee.

Under the direction of Janie Scott, the 25 members of the Palo Alto Players’ production imbue it with fine singing, acting and dancing sure to delight people of all ages.

Many of the actors play multiple roles defined by the colorful costumes designed by Patricia Tyler.

Patrick Klein, PAP’s artistic director, is credited as creative director, working with Tyler as well set designer Kevin Davies, lighting designer Edward Hunter, sound designer Jeff Grafton and projections designer Alanna Bardell. Richard Hall is the musical director and orchestra conductor.

The lively choreography is by Karen Law and Stacy Reed.

Together these designers as well as the actors conjure up theatrical magic sure to enchant people of all ages.

Running about two hours and 40 minutes with one intermission, “Frozen” will continue through May 10 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

For information and tickets, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org.                  

 

'Come From Away' focuses on human aftermath of 9/11

 

The cast of "Come From Away" joins together in song. (Kevin Berne photo)

Much changed on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in Pennsylvania, killing thousands of people.

In the immediate aftermath, air traffic was halted in the United States and Canada, forcing 38 transatlantic planes with some 7,000 people aboard to land at the airport in the small island town of Gander, Newfoundland, which had fewer than 10,000 residents.

“Come From Away,” a musical presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, focuses on people who must adapt to the situation.

The versatile six women and six men in the cast portray both the passengers and townspeople.

When the play opens, the townspeople are preparing for an ordinary day as news of the attacks begins to surface. They soon learn that they’ll have to accommodate all the people from the diverted planes.

Therefore they muster up all available resources and welcome their unexpected visitors. Despite some initial wariness and cultural differences, the hosts and visitors warm to each other.

By the time the planes are allowed to leave after several days, friendships and a romance have blossomed, but another relationship has ended under the strain.

As directed by Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks’ retired founder and artistic director, the talented ensemble cast smoothly switches characters as the story unfolds. The result is a heartwarming, uplifting salute to humanity rising above the evil and tragedy of 9/11.

The music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein distill the events into about an hour and 40 minutes without intermission. Therefore, some of the information is delivered so quickly that it’s hard to absorb everything.

However, the essential spirit comes through thanks to the cast, Kelley, musical director William Liberatore, choreographer/assistant director Alex Perez, set designer Wilson Chin, costume designer B. Modern, lighting designer Pamila Z. Gray and sound designer Cliff Caruthers.

This outstanding production of “Come From Away” continues through May 10 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

For tickets and information, call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.theatreworks.org.