The Snow Queen – Park Square Theatre
By Bev Wolfe
Park Square Theatre presents a fairy tale for the family in its regional premiere of The Snow Queen. This musical is based upon the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and was adapted by Michael Peter Smith who also composed the music for production. Under the direction of Doug Scholz-Carlson and musical director Denise Prosek, the production provides a sluggish first half which is more than made up for by the lively and enchanting second half.
Although based upon the same Andersen tale as the Disney animated feature Frozen, it is a decidedly different story. The show begins at a campfire with the ensemble working their way through the seven stories which are portrayed in words and song. As the show transitions between stories, the narrator announces each new story.
The first story begins with Gerda and Kai who are summertime friends. Kai has his eye and heart pieced by pieces of the Devil’s mirror causing him to turn away from Gerda and being spirited away by the Snow Queen. Legend has it that no boy taken by the Snow Queen ever returns. When Kai does not return, Gerda undertakes the difficult journey to find him. Along the way she gets delayed by a magical woman with a garden, is assisted by a pair of ravens and a princess, travels with a Robber Girl and her mother, and is befriended by a Helpful Reindeer.
The first part of Smith’s score is heavy on ballads. Certain songs have some ambitious alternating melodies, but too many ballads result in a slow pace and a lack of humor. Immediately after intermission, the shows pace and humor takes off and provides a lively entertaining second half. The highlight was a series of fish jokes that even the narrator had to stop the action to get her pun in.
The true charm in this production comes from the talented cast. Cast members work smoothly as an ensemble, with most playing multiple roles. Emily Gunyou Halaas does a marvelous job as the narrator. Caroline Amos puts in a strong performance as Gerda showing Gerda growing in confidence as she seeks to rescue her friend. Sara Ochs plays multiple roles, but the most memorable one was as the Sami woman obsessed with fish. Elyse Edelman is a steady part of the ensemble effort, but is a standout as the Robber Girl who can’t shake her mother. Theo Langason as the Helpful Reindeer conveys an incredible amount of humor through his facial expressions.
The performers both sing and play the instruments for musical compositions by Smith; appearing to be a cross between medieval troubadours and 60’s folk musicians. The action effortlessly switches from word to song and song to word.
Set designer Erik Paulson, projection designer Miko S. Simmons and light designer Michael P. Kittel work together to create a stunning mystical wonderland with the use of lighting, video projections and shadow plays. The moveable asymmetrical ice designs with the projections help move the action along, especially in the second half of the show.
The Snow Queen is advertised for the entire family but the first half would not keep the attention of children younger than seven. But older children and adults alike will find the second half of the show an absolute delight.
PARK SQUARE THEATRE
20 W. Seventh Place
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Box office: 651.291.7005
Performances running through December 27. 2015
Wednesday – Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2”00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
No performances on December 24 – 25, 2015
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