OREM — SCERA Shell’s production of Frozen: The Broadway Musical directed by Brodee Ripple opened June 5, and it continues a trend that has become increasingly apparent over the last several years: the quality of productions at the SCERA Shell keeps getting better and better. Frozen, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee, is a musical adaption of the popular Disney Animated film released in 2013 about Elsa who has chosen to isolate herself from others, including her sister Anna, because of her magical ice powers. With a talented cast, impressive staging, creative effects, and an affordable family-friendly atmosphere, Frozen is another example of why summer theater at the Shell has become a favorite tradition for so many Utah families.
The cast was strong across the board, and that strength was one of the production’s greatest assets. Josephine Reynolds in the role of young Anna was a standout from the very beginning. Reynolds brought incredible energy, humor, and personality to the stage, making every scene she was in enjoyable to watch. Her performance felt natural and authentic, capturing the playful spirit that audiences expect from the character. She has a bright future ahead of her. Rebecca Varney continued that momentum as the adult Anna and truly embodied the role. Varney was lively, entertaining, and fully committed to the character, creating a performance that was both funny and heartfelt. Mae Soelberg’s portrayal of the fan-favorite Elsa was solid. Soelberg’s vocals were more difficult to hear compared to the remaining cast. Soelberg did manage some of the biggest moments of the show, a quick change, and spectacle with success.
Jake Nilson, portraying Kristoff, was equally engaging, bringing strong comedic timing and solid vocals to the role. While the leads carried the show well, the production’s success did not rest on them alone. The entire ensemble delivered. Their vocals were powerful, their dancing was polished, and there was a sense of chemistry throughout the cast that helped bring the world of Arendelle to life.
Production Stage Manager Crysta May Lamb, Scenic Designer Garrett Roblyer, and the rest of the creative team’s staging and set design also contributed significantly to the show’s success. Frozen is a challenging production because audiences come in with high expectations for magic and spectacle. The design team did a nice job finding ways to bring those elements to life on an outdoor community theater stage. The snow effects were particularly effective and helped create some genuinely magical moments. The ice castle was impressive and provided a visual centerpiece that audiences clearly appreciated. Some of the magical ice effects leaned a little cheesy at times, but in the context of community theater, they felt more creative than distracting. In fact, it was easy to appreciate the ingenuity behind many of the effects and the effort to create a sense of wonder within the scope of the production.
The choreography by director Brodee Ripple was another highlight. Managing a cast of this size on the Shell stage is no small task, but the choreography consistently kept the stage feeling full without becoming cluttered. Performers were moving, dancing, and lifting throughout the production, adding energy and excitement to many scenes. The choreography enhanced both the humor and the magic of the show. One particularly impressive moment was the transition from young Anna and Elsa to their adult counterparts during a musical number. The change was seamless and so well executed that it felt effortless, helping maintain the emotional momentum of the story.
Costuming designed by Deborah Bowman and Kelsey Seaver also played an important role in bringing the production to life. The costumes were high quality, fit the characters well, and contributed to the overall visual appeal of the show. The standout moment, of course, was Elsa’s quick costume change during “Let it Go”. It was executed so smoothly that audible gasps could be heard from audience members around me. Even knowing it was coming, the moment still felt magical and remains one of the production’s most memorable effects.
As with any live performance, there were a few minor technical issues. A handful of microphone cues were missed on opening night, but they were corrected quickly and did not significantly impact the audience experience. In contrast, the lighting design by Elizabeth Griffiths was particularly effective. As the sun set and darkness settled over the outdoor venue, the lighting became an even stronger storytelling tool. The effects used to represent Elsa’s powers added another layer of magic and were especially fun to watch once the stage lighting could fully shine.
What continues to impress me about the SCERA Shell is not just the quality of individual productions but the overall experience they create. Frozen demonstrates how far these productions have come over the years. The talent level is high, the production values continue to improve, and the atmosphere remains welcoming and accessible. Watching theater outdoors under the stars is simply fun, and the affordable ticket prices make it accessible for a wide range of viewers. If you’re looking for a fun summer outing, I’d recommend taking the whole family to see this production.
Production Photos will be added when they are received.
MORE INFO: Frozen: The Broadway Musical plays Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm through June 20th, 2026. All performances are at the Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre (600 S 400 E, Orem, UT 84058). Tickets range from $10-$25 and are available online at https://scera.org/events/disneys-frozen/ or at the gate.