Frozen musical to open on Broadway in Spring 2018

LET IT GO! It has been confirmed that the musical adaptation of Frozen will open on Broadway in Spring 2018.

The musical will play a pre-Broadway engagement in Summer 2017, with details to be confirmed. 

UPDATE (12/02/16): Frozen will play its out-of-town tryout at the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in Colorado in August 2017 with dates to be confirmed.

As previously rumoured, Alex Timbers (Here Lies Love) will direct whilst Peter Darling (Billy Elliot/Matilda) will choreograph the musical.

Frozen features music and lyrics by creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (In Transit/Up Here) and Robert Lopez (Avenue Q/The Book of Mormon/Up Here) and book by Jennifer Lee (Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and co-director (with Chris Buck). 

Frozen to be presented live in concert at the Royal Albert Hall

It has been announced that Disney's Frozen will be screened with accompaniment from a full live orchestral at the Royal Albert Hall on 29th October 2015. 

This will mark the first time Frozen, which is the highest grossing animated movie of all time, will have been presented in this way.

Frozen in Concert will see a high definition screening of the movie whilst the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Firman, and a chorus from the Maida Vale Singers bring the film’s score to life.

Carrie Hope Fletcher to lead 'Let It Go' world record attempt in Hyde Park this weekend

This Sunday (28th June), Barclaycard are hosting British Summer Time Hyde Park. As part of the family event, they will attempt to break the Official Guinness World Records title for 'Most people singing live on a radio broadcast’.

Having teamed up with Disney, the event will host a Frozen sing-along to 'Let It Go' which is sung by Idina Menzel in the film. The record attempt will be broadcast live on Funkids Radio. 

Disney’s Frozen is the biggest ever animation and fifth biggest film of all time. It won Oscars for Best Animation and Best Original Song for 'Let It Go', as well as BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe. 'Let It Go' has generated more than 800 million YouTube views and the hit song has helped the Frozen soundtrack become the UK’s biggest album last year. 

Disney confirm Frozen 2

Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee

At last it is official... Disney are working on a Frozen sequel! According to Deadline, Disney's Bob Iger made the announcement at a shareholder meeting yesterday (12th March).

Frozen directors and co-creators Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck will work on Frozen 2, although story details are yet to be finalised.

Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell aren't confirmed for Frozen 2; however, the pair recently reprised their roles of Elsa and Anna for a new short film Frozen Fever. 

Featuring a new song called 'Making Today a Perfect Day', Frozen Fever will be shown in cinemas with Disney's new live-action adaptation of Cinderella, released today (13th March). Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad also return to reprise their roles of Kristoff and Olaf the snowman. Chris Williams voices the owner of Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna.

Disney releases new Frozen song featuring Idina Menzel & Kristen Bell!

Disney have released a brand new Frozen song on iTunes. The number features Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell reprising their roles of Elsa and Anna. 

Entitled 'Making Today a Perfect Day', the song is from the forthcoming short film Frozen Fever which will be shown in cinemas with Disney's new live-action adaptation of Cinderella, released tomorrow (13th March). 

Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad also return to reprise their roles of Kristoff and Olaf the snowman. Chris Williams voices the owner of Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna.

Frozen is the highest-grossing animated film of all time, having taken $1.274 billion at the box office. Its soundtrack has sold over seven million copies worldwide.

GOSSIP: Frozen stage musical update - creative team aiming for 2017 premiere?

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed that the creative team working on a stage adaptation of Disney's Frozen are looking at the possibility of opening the musical on Broadway in 2017.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (who wrote Frozen's musical score) have reportedly met with Jennifer Lee (writer/co-director), Thomas Schumacher (head of Disney Theatricals) and Alex Timbers (director of Here Lies Love).

Lee is apparently writing the show’s book, whilst Anderson-Lopez and Lopez are working on new songs. 

Competition: Win a family ticket to see Disney’s Frozen Sing-along!

We are giving away a family ticket to Disney’s Frozen Sing-along at the Dominion Theatre! To enter the competition, simply sign up to West End Frame's mailing list below.

The winner will be randomly selected at 10am on Friday 30th January 2015 (entries after this time will not be included). The prize is valid on all performances until 28th February 2015. A family ticket consists of four tickets for a minimum of one adult and one child.

Even if you already subscribe to West End Frame's newsletter you still have to input your details below to enter this particular competition. You will not receive our newsletter twice (assuming you enter the same email address). Please read the terms and conditions below.

Disney’s Frozen will be screened at the Dominion Theatre for a limited period from 18th February 2015 in high-definition with onscreen lyrics, allowing audiences to join in, in true sing-along tradition. Sing-along Frozen is the perfect opportunity for all fans to dress up, “Let it Go” and sing their hearts out with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, Prince Hans and the mystical trolls!

Dominion Theatre to host Frozen sing-alongs

It has been announced that the Dominion Theatre will host a series of sing-along screenings of Disney's Frozen between 18th and 28th February 2015. 

Frozen, which is the highest grossing animated movie of all time, will be screened in high-definition with lyrics on the screen, allowing audiences to follow the music and join in.

Screenings take place at 2pm and 7pm Monday to Friday and at 2pm, 5.15pm and 7.45pm on both Saturdays. Tickets are now on sale. Please visit www.dominiontheatre.com for further information and tickets.

Editor's Blog: Christmas telly picks + odds & ends

Turkey? Check. Presents? Check. Stagey TV planned and set to record...?

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some stagey TV. Highlights on Christmas Day include Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms (BBC2 / 14.45) starring Ben Davis, Tony Yazbeck, Alexandra Silber and Louise Dearman, as well as The Sound of Music Live (Channel 5 / 12.35) which was originally broadcast live on US TV. It stars Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Christian Borle and Audra McDonald.

Louise Dearman in Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms

If you're looking for a classic musical movie there's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Channel 5 / 15.25) or documentary-wise there's Frozen at Christmas (Channel 4 / 20.00) and Tim Rice - A Life In Song (BBC2 / 22.30).

Big Interview: Willemijn Verkaik - "I couldn’t be happier!"

Willemijn Verkaik is currently starring as Paulina in the West End premiere of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane's musical opens at the Playhouse Theatre on Monday 12th January 2015 (previews from 17th December 2014) for a 20 week limited run. Willemijn is working alongside a stellar cast including Tamsin Greig, Haydn Gwynne, Jérôme Pradon, Anna Skellern, Ricardo Afonso, Haydn Oakley and Seline Hizli. Bartlett Sher directs.

Earlier this year, Willemijn won West End Frame’s West End Debut Award for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria). The Dutch star first played the role in Germany in 2007. She then starred as Elphaba in Holland before joining the Broadway company, making her the only actress to have played the iconic character in three different languages. Following a successful stint in New York, Willemijn joined the London production to tremendous acclaim. 

Willemijn is the voice of Elsa in the German and Dutch language versions of Disney's Frozen which is the highest grossing animated movie of all time. Her theatre credits also include: Donna in Mamma Mia (Stuttgart, Germany), Songs For A New World (Stuttgart, Germany), Amneris in Aida (Tecklenburg, Germany) and Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Cologne, Germany).

During a break from rehearsals, I recently spoke to Willemijn about her return to the London stage, why Women on the Verge is a new challenge and what the rest of the cast are like to work with. We also discussed her emotional departure from Wicked, why winning West End Frame’s Best West End Debut Award meant so much to her plus much, much more…

Women on the Verge has been completely re-workshopped since its Broadway run and is almost like a totally new show. At what point did you come on board?

I didn’t do any of the workshops so for me this is really fresh. I first heard of the show when I was auditioning and I started to do my research.

What were your first impressions? The music is so refreshing!

I thought the music was amazing! David Yazbek is a genius – the songs that he’s written for Pepa (Tamsin Greig) and Lucia (Haydn Gwynne) and for everyone are just so thrilling and special. All those Spanish influences are very refreshing. I just love the way he brings a song into a scene and gets that Spanish feeling. He captures the feel of the scene and the show… I am a fan [laughs]!

Frozen returns with short special next spring

According to Broadway.com, it has been revealed that a new animated short based on Disney's Frozen will premiere next spring.

The film, called Frozen Fever, will include a new original song by Frozen's composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

Variety report that Frozen Fever will take place on Anna’s birthday, as Elsa and Kristoff plan to throw her a perfect celebration. However, Elsa’s magical powers get in the way, putting more than just the party in jeopardy. It is suggested Olaf will also make an appearance. 

Cast of Let It Be cover 'Let It Go' from Frozen

The West End cast of Let It Be - a theatrical concert celebrating the music of The Beatles - have released a clever cover of 'Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen featuring some slightly different lyrics... watch the video below!

Following runs at the Prince of Wales and Savoy Theatres plus a UK Tour, Let It Be recently returned to the West End where it runs at the Garrick Theatre until Saturday 20th September 2014. Seen by over 700,000 people worldwide, Let It Be has recently been staged in Germany, Japan, Moscow and on Broadway.

Frozen becomes 5th highest-grossing film of all time & announces live ice skating stage show

Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee 

Frozen has become the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide, after reaching nearly $1.22 billion. 

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee (pictured right), the animated musical is now the second-highest grossing movie for Disney, just behind The Avengers. The Marvel superhero epic is third on the overall list, after making $1.5 billion globally. 

Frozen has also overtaken Iron Man 3 in the chart. The Robert Downey Jr film took $1.2 billion during its run, and is now left in the sixth spot, while Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is in fourth with $1.34 billion. 

Frozen has already become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing Toy Story 3, which took $1.06 billion worldwide. 

Louise Dearman releases 'Let It Go' from Frozen!

It's the moment we've all been waiting for... Louise Dearman (the Goddess of musical theatre) has released her version of 'Let It Go', the Oscar winning song performed by Idina Menzel in Disney's Frozen.

The cover appears on a new album entitled Film Music 2013 which was released earlier this week by Silva Screen Records, the record label behind Dearman's latest studio album It's Time. You can listen to the track below.

Frozen recently became the sixth highest-grossing movie in box office history. Louise Dearman is currently starring in Water Babies at the Leicester Curve, she is the first and only actress in the world to have played both Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked.

Frozen becomes 6th highest-grossing movie of all time!

Frozen has become the sixth highest-grossing movie in box office history. Disney's animation film has surpassed Transformers: Dark of the Moon with a worldwide total of $1.129 billion (£670 million).

Idina Menzel

Richard Harbaugh / © 2013 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Frozen was the second highest-grossing film of 2013 after Iron Man 3, which currently sits in fifth place on the all-time chart. Disney/Marvel Studios' Avengers occupies the third slot. With its continuing success in some international markets, Frozen could potentially continue its climb up the list. The soundtrack for the Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell film has spent ten weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart.

Disney's Frozen triumphs at the Oscars

Disney's animated musical movie Frozen triumphed at the 86th Academy Awards last night (Sun 2nd March). The film won Best Animated Feature and 'Let It Go' picked up Best Original Song. 

The film's soundtrack, which topped the US music charts, is composed by Robert Lopez (who won Tony awards for The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q) and his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The film stars Broadway actors Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff. Menzel performed 'Let It Go' during the ceremony. The star's new Broadway show If/Then begins previews this week.

Idina Menzel to perform LET IT GO at the Oscars

Idina Menzel
Imeh Akpanudosen / 2013 WireImage

It has been announced that theatrical legend Idina Menzel will perform 'Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen at the Oscars on Sunday 2nd March 2014. 

'Let It Go' which is written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez is nominated in the Original Song category alongside 'Happy' from Despicable Me 2, 'Ordinary Love' from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and 'The Moon Song' from Her.

The event will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Idina won a Tony Award for her performance as Elphaba in the original Broadway production of Wicked. She received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in Rent and earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance in Manhattan Theater Club's off-Broadway musical The Wild Party.

Disney to release sing-along version of Frozen in cinemas next month!

Idina Menzel
Imeh Akpanudosen / 2013 WireImage

A special all-new sing-along version of Disney’s Frozen will be released in cinemas from 7th February 2014!

Fans will be able to join in with the film's stars Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff with lyrics at the bottom of the screen and a bouncing snowflake to follow along the song. 

"Frozen’s music is at the core of its critical and box-office success,” said Tony Chambers, Head of Studio Sales and Distribution for EMEA and UK/Ireland. “With an Academy Award nomination for Best Song, a chart-topping soundtrack and the multi-language ‘Let it Go’ YouTube worldwide phenomenon, it makes perfect sense to create and release a sing-a-long version for everyone to enjoy“

Frozen continues to be a box-office avalanche and has now passed The Lion King with $810 Million at Global Box Office and a massive £35 million in UK and Ireland. The animated comedy adventure is the biggest title from Walt Disney Feature Animation and trails only Disney.Pixar’s Finding Nemo as Disney’s highest-grossing original animated movie ever.

Gossip: Disney's Frozen for stage adaptation?

Frozen, Disney's biggest animated success in almost 20 years, will one day become a Broadway musical, the company's CEO and chairman has revealed.

Speaking to Fortune magazine, Robert Iger confirmed that early discussions were taking place regarding a possible stage adaptation, though at present the project hasn't been given a set timeline. "We're not demanding speed," he said, "We're demanding excellence."

The film, loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Snow Queen, achieved the highest-grossing debut weekend of any Disney animation and has taken in excess of $669m (£407m) worldwide since November. It is being tipped to overtake The Lion King, Disney Animation's current bestseller with a worldwide gross of $987.5m. Adapting that for the stage has raked in more than $1bn on Broadway alone and last year, it took the title of Broadway's biggest seller with approximately $96.9m worth of receipts.

Big Interview: Lisa Stokke

Lisa Stokke was part of the first class ever to graduate from LIPA, Paul McCartney's Drama School in Liverpool, and only months after doing so she secured her first West End leading role – originating Sophie in Mamma Mia! At the time nobody knew how the show would be received, but the show is currently preparing to celebrate its fifteenth anniversary in the West End and hundreds of actresses all over the world have played the part Lisa created.

Lisa, originally from Norway, left Mamma Mia after a year and has gone on to have a hugely successful and varied career. Her stage credits include: Grace Farrell in Annie (Folketeateret in Oslo), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre and UK Tour) and Florence in Chess (Bømlo, Norway). She recently provided the Norwegian voiceover for Idina Menzel in the Norwegian language version of the new Disney movie Frozen, playing Elsa.

The star is currently rehearsing for The World Goes ‘Round which opens at the Union Theatre on 15th January. No stranger to working at the Union Theatre, London’s top fringe venue, Lisa has previously appeared as Genevieve in The Baker’s Wife and Emma Goldman in Assassins. Directed by Kirk Jameson, The World Goes ‘Round celebrates the music of Kander and Ebb. The show features music from their most notable work, including songs from Cabaret, Chicago and Kiss of the Spiderwoman.

I recently spoke to Lisa about why she thinks Kander and Ebb’s music is so timeless, how voicing a Disney princess was a dream come true and her dream to return to Mamma Mia as Donna for the shows twentieth anniversary…

First of all we have to discuss Mamma Mia! When you were cast in the original production did you have any idea the show was going to become this long-running global phenomenon?

No! Just before we opened, while all the cast had faith in the show we were so scared that we were going to be the laughing stock of London. Not because we didn’t believe in it, but because London critics can be pretty cruel and Abba were yet to have their big revival. So when we started doing previews and the audiences laughed at stuff we were all like “Oh my god, we’re a comedy!” Seriously, up until then Jenny Galloway (the original Rosie) understood that it was funny whereas I didn’t think Sophie was a funny character. All the people who were playing comedy roles went flying when the audiences started coming in. We were doing new things right up until opening night, everything was changing every minute. None of us could ever, ever have dreamed that fourteen years on Mamma Mia would still be one of the bestselling shows in the world! I’m crossing my fingers that in a few years, for the twentieth anniversary, they’ll let me play Donna – that would be really fun!