A Sprinkling of Snow and Magic
As Christmas approaches once again there’s a chill in the air and the snow’s beginning to fall. At the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, there’s also a generous sprinkling of magic. Winter heralds a change and the arrival of a new holiday season. Hans Christian Andersen’s enchanted fairy tale, adapted and given a modern feel by Kristin Brandt & Rick Lombardo, boasts songs from almost every genre of music. They’re written by Haddon Kime and Rick Lombardo, with lyrics by Kirsten Brandt, Haddon Kime, and Rick Lombardo. Family audiences and upper grade school age children will lose themselves in this story about two devoted friends, a cold and vain Queen and a shattered magic mirror. It’s a tale filled with a colorful array of memorable supporting characters, including an evil troll, a tough robber girl and her mother, a ditzy witch, a helpful reindeer, a goofy raven, a kind prince and princess and a talking Reindeer.
We first meet this talented troupe of five actors who will transform into a multitude of characters. First, there’s the heroine of the story, Gerda, along with her neighbor and best friend, Kai. These two devoted playmates tend their little window box rose garden together. Then we’re introduced to an evil Goblin, who mischievously steals a magic mirror belonging to the Snow Queen. He drops it and the mirror shatters. Two shards of glass fly through the air, piercing the eye and heart of young Kai, and causing him to turn cruel and cold.
The seasons gradually change and the weather grows colder. Gerda’s Grandmother tells the children that snowflakes will soon fall because the Snow Queen is traveling through the land, on the way to her ice palace. While he’s sledding with his friend, the cold, selfish Monarch of the Northland approaches Kai and makes him forget about Gerda. The Snow Queen invites him to join her whereupon they set off for her ice palace. When Gerda discovers that Kai is missing she begins searching for her beloved friend. Along the way she meets a host of unusual characters who help Gerda in her quest to rescue Kai.
“The Snow Queen” is the longest of the many fairy tales written by 19th century Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen. He’s the writer of such well-known stories as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” and his most autobiographical work, “The Ugly Duckling.” Published in 1844, Andersen’s popular tale centers around the eternal struggle between good and evil. In addition to being the inspiration for countless adaptations on film, dance, opera, and in other stories (The White Witch in the Narnia novels may have been inspired by Andersen’s fairy tale), “The Snow Queen” has also been dramatized for the stage many times. It was even the motivation for Disney’s film and stage musical, “Frozen.”
In true Marriott Theatre fashion, this cleverly creative production is totally immersive, partly because it’s presented in-the-round. The production even spills out into the aisles, allowing the story to become up close and personal with its young patrons. Properly paced and directed with flair and finesse by Landree Fleming, featuring fine musical direction by Michael Mahler and spirited choreography by Katie Johannigman, the production faithfully keeps to its 60-minute running time. After the story ends, a short question-and-answer session allows children to learn how some of the behind-the-scene secrets of the production. The show also features colorful, costumes by Janelle Smith; a simple, but versatile scenic and properties design by Eleanor Kahn; glorious sound and lighting by Michael Daly and Daphne Agosin; and an expressive and creative media design by Tony Churchill. Through our imagination, Gerda’s journey travels from a cozy home to a snowy landscape, a raging river, a palace and even beneath the starry canopy of the Northern Lights.
Landree Fleming has guided her talented cast, infusing them with lots of energy and empathy for her audience. From the beginning, the five actors welcome their young audience to enter into the story. They create dozens of characters who breathe life into Andersen’s sometimes dark and somber story about friendship.
Golden-throated Joryhebel Ginorio is sweet and sincere as Gerda; high-spirited Jeremiah Alsop makes a plucky and playful Kai, along with several other characters; and Alanna Chavez is properly cool and commanding as the selfish and coldhearted Snow Queen, also playing the lonely Robber Girl and the bright, young Princess. Caron Buinis is genuinely maternal as Gerda’s Grandmother, while she brings a zany zest to the Witch and the Robber Girl’s conniving mother; and Ryan Stajmiger is simply terrific and quite funny as the Troll, a blushing rose, a gently supportive Reindeer and, in particular, a droll and daffy Crow.
Grandmother lovingly comforts Gerda by saying that winter doesn’t last forever. Spring will come again, warming the earth and causing new things to grow. Flowers will bloom, birds will sing and life will go on, as before. That’s also true of friendship. Through thick and thin, friendships prevail. Bad times may trouble us, but good days will once again return. Marriott’s latest offering for young audiences is primarily aimed at older children and adults, who have a longer attention span. But the message that the everyone will take away from this lovely production is both positive and perfect for the holidays.
