Frozen - Live at The Hyperion

[flynnibus]

Looks promising... Of course the Elsa cast is going to be a difficult role to fill and like the genie before, which you get can have a huge impact on your show experience. Of the two Elsa' I have seen in the clips.. One seemed reasonable except some weakness at the most difficult part of let it go... Which is kind to be expected, but I don't care if it's not 1:1 to the film... Modify it if needed to avoid the cringe worthy parts. Second Elsa I really didn't like.

Glad to see Disney went big with this one. How anyone finds the stage shows in wdw entertainment still baffles me. But they also still lineup to see those horrible daytime castle shows... So I guess different strokes for different folks

 

[Rich T]

I don't want to sound awful... but in all seriousness, I'd love it if they set aside one performance a day (the last one) that was guaranteed NO BABIES. I'd pay extra for that.

 

[Disney Analyst]

This is the girl from the first day, first show. I don't know which day this was, but her vocals are MUCH improved here! Fantastic! I didn't mind the costume flub either. Looks cool either way.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Watched it via YouTube earlier today. It's basically a retelling of the movie with little to no deviation. Absolutely no uniqueness or reason to watch it more than once. I was impressed by the special effects and laughed at some of the jokes but overall it fell flat with me.

So it's bad that a stage production of a movie is identical to the movie it's based on? You were expecting perhaps a sequel?

 

[VJ]

So it's bad that a stage production of a movie is identical to the movie it's based on? You were expecting perhaps a sequel?

Well, what's the point of watching a stage show if you might as well watch the movie? Don't these things usually differ at least a little bit from their cinematic counterparts? What I'm trying to say is the show is pretty much the movie verbatim.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Well, what's the point of watching a stage show if you might as well watch the movie? Don't these things usually differ at least a little bit from their cinematic counterparts? What I'm trying to say is the show is pretty much the movie verbatim.

I get what you're saying. Maybe a little more creative license should have been taken with the material so that it stands completely on its own rather than relying on the film in every way possible. I too would prefer a less literal interpretation of the film.

On the other hand, risking one of your biggest brands with an expensive theme park show for the sake of artistry could backfire. Disney is probably better off leaving a re-imagining of the story to Broadway for now. Frozen Live has expanded the limits of what a theme park stage show is, and if it's successful it'll be interesting to see how the sophistication of the productions at the Hyperion progress.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Disney theme park shows have always been the movie-on-stage. Aladdin was a 45 minute version of the movie on stage with little to no deviation. Finding Nemo at DAK is the biggest deviation from source material, simply because it adds original songs. The story is beat for beat the same as the film.

It's Broadway where Disney expands and changes its films for stage adaptations, not the parks.

 

[Curious Constance]

From the Miceage update this week:

"Speaking of showtimes, the show is currently only running three shows per day while the cast and crew continue to rehearse in the mornings. Expect Disney to ramp up to five showings per day this summer."

 

[Rich T]

Well, what's the point of watching a stage show if you might as well watch the movie? Don't these things usually differ at least a little bit from their cinematic counterparts? What I'm trying to say is the show is pretty much the movie verbatim.

It's a theme park show. As mentioned by others above, this is the norm; they have to appeal to all ages and, especially, those *expecting* to see the film story performed live. Already, one repeated expression of disappointment is that it's *not* verbatim--they left out Marshmallow. In this show, the real fun comes from seeing the clever solutions to creating impossible action sequences with live performers ( I LOVE the goofy brilliance of the chasm leap!). And, give 'em credit, they actually improved the movie's ending by adding that bit in the balcony. And the Olaf and Sven puppets/performances are a joy to behold.

 

[VJ]

Disney theme park shows have always been the movie-on-stage. Aladdin was a 45 minute version of the movie on stage with little to no deviation. Finding Nemo at DAK is the biggest deviation from source material, simply because it adds original songs. The story is beat for beat the same as the film.

It's Broadway where Disney expands and changes its films for stage adaptations, not the parks.

Aladdin at least had a new song (Jasmine's song, can't exactly remember the name right now). I dunno, everyone's entitled to their opinion and I don't wanna argue with anyone; I just feel like they could have been a bit more liberal with the source material instead of sticking to it so much if that makes sense. I'm really not trying to start an argument or anything.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Aladdin at least had a new song (Jasmine's song, can't exactly remember the name right now). I dunno, everyone's entitled to their opinion and I don't wanna argue with anyone; I just feel like they could have been a bit more liberal with the source material instead of sticking to it so much if that makes sense. I'm really not trying to start an argument or anything.

No, I understand what you're saying, but it's just very unusual for big creative changes to occur in adaptations for theme park shows. They're usually pretty paint by numbers.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

They're usually pretty paint by numbers.

I haven't seen this production, but it looks like it pushes the boundaries of that framework quite a bit. As theme park shows go this appears to me to be just short of Broadway quality. Add a live orchestra and they'd basically be across the line.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I haven't seen this production, but it looks like it pushes the boundaries of that framework quite a bit. As theme park shows go this appears to me to be just short of Broadway quality. Add a live orchestra and they'd basically be across the line.

This is the first time that they've hired an actual Broadway director to create a new show for them. Previous directors they've brought in did Broadway shows later, but not before their Disney park projects. I haven't seen Frozen yet, but the production value is clearly a step above previous efforts and a LOT of money was poured into it.

WDW used to use live orchestras for some of their shows, up until just a few years ago even. Those days are sadly gone.

 

[Brer Panther]

Aladdin at least had a new song (Jasmine's song, can't exactly remember the name right now).

And it also had jokes that weren't in the original movie.

 

[FigmentForver96]

I guess I don't get it...but to each his own I suppose.

 

[Phroobar]

This is the girl from the first day, first show. I don't know which day this was, but her vocals are MUCH improved here! Fantastic! I didn't mind the costume flub either. Looks cool either way.

She totally messed up the costume change. She should of had it unbuttoned and reversed during the black out. I guess it is just a clever costume change rather than real time motion tracking on the dress.

 

[Disney Analyst]

She totally messed up the costume change. She should of had it unbuttoned and reversed during the black out. I guess it is just a clever costume change rather than real time motion tracking on the dress.

Yeah this one is a practical costume trick. It just didn't time properly, looks like the piece she pulls wasn't where it normally is. Still looks cool

 

[Travel Junkie]

I saw the show on Memorial Day. It's a very high quality theme park stage show. Disney seems to be obsessed with projections, but in this case I thought it worked very well. I don't see a problem with a lack of physical sets. It was a stylistic choice and in some cases adds to the show. Having seen and participated in many stage productions, minimal physical sets is hardly a rare thing even in higher end productions.

Some minor criticisms. The pacing is off in several places. Part of this will work itself out over time as the casts get more reps in. At times you can tell they are aware of the long running time and zip past nice moments instead of letting them play out properly. Also I think they should have probably left out certain story lines and instead focused on the core elements that made the movie so popular. Marshmellow I believe is the only part taken out and they race through the movie in fast forward most of the time. I didn't have a problem with the running time of the movie and I didn't notice any children getting restless either. I felt if they would have taken out a minor subplot here or there and expanded on other parts, it would have been stronger.

Overall though it a very nice show and by far the best use of Frozen in the theme parks.

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

I saw the show on Memorial Day. It's a very high quality theme park stage show. Disney seems to be obsessed with projections, but in this case I thought it worked very well. I don't see a problem with a lack of physical sets. It was a stylistic choice and in some cases adds to the show. Having seen and participated in many stage productions, minimal physical sets is hardly a rare thing even in higher end productions.

Some minor criticisms. The pacing is off in several places. Part of this will work itself out over time as the casts get more reps in. At times you can tell they are aware of the long running time and zip past nice moments instead of letting them play out properly. Also I think they should have probably left out certain story lines and instead focused on the core elements that made the movie so popular. Marshmellow I believe is the only part taken out and they race through the movie in fast forward most of the time. I didn't have a problem with the running time of the movie and I didn't notice any children getting restless either. I felt if they would have taken out a minor subplot here or there and expanded on other parts, it would have been stronger.

Overall though it a very nice show and by far the best use of Frozen in the theme parks.

From what I hear from people around the production, they didn't really have time for previews or fine-tuning. Basically they're doing that this week. Pacing and timing aren't there yet. I haven't seen it yet and I'm getting this second- and third-hand. But they basically opened flying by the seat of their pants.

I can't wait to see Olaf!

 

[Disney Analyst]

This is the first I've seen of this Elsa, love her voice.