Opening weekend for Frozen Jr. Included Sold-Out Matinee
December 11, 2024
Cretin-Derham Hall’s 2024 children’s production, Frozen Jr., opened on Friday, December 7 in the Lillian Theater with strong attendance and excellent reviews. The Saturday, December 8 matinee sold out.
Audience Reactions
The production has been well-received by audience members including Megan Smith '00, a CDH staff member who attended the show. She praised the show’s visuals and music, saying “The Olaf puppet was amazing, and the snow and scenery added so much to the story.” Ellen Schafer '10, a Science Teacher at CDH, was impressed enough to plan a second visit, saying “The play was emotionally moving and hilarious. The singing and acting were excellent. I thought the Duke of Weaseltown stood out with great comedic timing.”
Other audience members praised the humor, pointing out that comedic moments, particularly those featuring Olaf and the Duke of Weaseltown, drew plenty of laughter. The entire cast earned praise for their outstanding performances in their roles.
Cast Reflections
Cast members have worked hard to bring this production to life. Senior Sarina Zelch '25 shared her appreciation for the camaraderie backstage, describing how listening to music together and enjoying each other’s company added to the experience. “When we’re all getting ready backstage and listening to music together, it’s so fun to enjoy each other’s company,” she said. Andrew Ek '25 noted the excitement of performing for younger audiences. “The children bring a very exciting energy, which pushes the cast to perform with more vibrancy,” he said.
Others reflected on how rewarding it was to hear the audience’s laughter and applause, which made all the hard work feel worthwhile. The cast’s ability to grow into their characters and build the story into a complete production has been a source of pride for many.
New Theater Director Cullen Wiley '16 was praised by many for his role as director, with Cali Weckman '25 saying "We’ve gotten to know a new rehearsal process under new direction so quickly, getting to bring Mr. Wiley’s ideas to life."