I'm so grateful that pro shots (professionally filmed live performances) are becoming more of the norm. The release of "Hamilton" on Disney+ did more than lift our spirits during the pandemic, it made great art easily accessible to the masses, and preserved the show, forever (on a much wider scale than the Lincoln Center Archives.) In recent years the trend is becoming more and more mainstream - with England's National Theater Live leading the charge with their cinema releases of their MainStage shows, which are now also available to stream on their website.
Theater always seems to be a bit on the back foot when it comes to "keeping up with the times" in terms of technology and PR tactics. Actors Equity, the American union for stage actors, while claiming (and I'll take them at their word), good intentions regarding protecting their performers, has done a huge disservice to the very art, and artists, they're supposed to be championing. Yes, the way the original "Chorus Line" artists were taken advantage of was very wrong, but I think we can all agree that media agreements forged in the 1970's are, in the nicest terms, no longer very relevant. I'm glad to see that AEA is taking steps to make archival and pro shot footage easier and more accessible, while protecting artists, but I do with things would move along a little more briskly. The UK figured it out (for the most part) long ago.
One of the reasons the film adaptation of "Chicago" was so controversial leading up to it's premiere was that the musical was still (and as of this writing continues to be) a successful, long term Broadway mainstay. One of the biggest arguments against adapting a Broadway musical, or releasing a film version was (and is): "Who's going to go see it live when they can just see the film?" It turns out the answer is: "pretty much everyone," as, contrary to popular thinking, ticket sales for the Broadway show skyrocketed after the film came out - and is likely a huge reason the show is still running today.
There will always be a draw to see something live - otherwise music concerts would have died out long ago. No one says "No one's going to see Taylor Swift's "Eras" Tour when they can just download the album, or stream a filmed version of the concert." The LIVE element of theater has always been what sets it apart, and audiences will always want to see something, for real, in person.
That being said, it's wonderful that audiences who might not be able to get to NYC, the West End, or afford a ticket to a show will still get to experience it in some capacity. The "Frozen" pro shot has been a long time coming, and it's absolutely charming. The cinematography and editing are top notch (I find it interesting that the pro shot was done of the West End production - Britain has long been an expert at filming live performance - just look at the recent pro shot of the "Next to Normal" revival, or the National Theatre's "Frankenstein"). The cast is wonderful (who doesn't love an opportunity to see Samantha Barks?) and the production elements are lovely.
For those who haven't seen the musical, the story has been expanded a bit from the hit animated film. There are several musical additions - some wonderfully fun (like the new "Charm Song" sung by the patrons of the famous Sauna), others a bit forced (as much as I love Barks, and Elsa needs an Act 2 song, "Monster" comes a bit out of nowhere and feels not up to the standards of the original score... it doesn't help that the director of the show compared it to Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy (really???). The puppetry used for Sven and Olaf is wonderful.
I have to say though, my personal favorite thing about this production was Martha Bailey Vine as Young Anna... we get to see much more of Anna and Elsa as kids (a great choice!) and Vine absolutely steals the whole show... she even stands out in "Fixer Upper" where she doubles as an ensemble character.
If you or your family enjoy "Frozen" this is a wonderful opportunity to whip up some hot coco and have a family night in. If you're a theater lover this is a fantastic chance to see a show, or a cast, you may not have had the opportunity to experience.
Beth Hartley
FROZEN is currently streaming on Disney+
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