It is definitely worth a trek through the snow to enjoy the magical, frosted treat that is FROZEN at Wharton Center’s Great Hall. 

I continue to be amazed by how electronics and projections can make “impossible” things that could only happen in a cartoon come to life on stage. It’s a light show tribute to Jack Frost. Maybe Elsa is related? 

As the many little girls in the audience wearing Elsa dresses could attest, Frozen is amazing… if maybe a little long/complicated for very young kids. (2 hours) It’s another hit in Disney’s latter-day pantheon of women-empowering fairy tales, this one about the power of sisterhood and love — and figuring out what “true love” is.

Young Anna (Olivia Jones) and Young Elsa (Arwen Monzon-Sanders) establish the exuberant bond between the sisters in the early scenes (played alternate shows by Natalie Grace Chan and Vitoria Hope Chan — real life sisters!) Grown-up Anna (Caroline Innerbichler) retains the childlike energy of her “young self” and evolves it into an utterly charming, awkward, endearing, strong, devoted adult version. Adult Elsa (Caroline Bowman) is powerful, conflicted, magnificent. Her “Let It Go” ends act 1 with thrills and chills.

I was particularly taken by F. Michael Haynie’s Olaf, an adorable puppet with his white-clad operator in full view. Michael somehow manages to disappear in full view as he brings our goofy friend Olaf to life. Likewise. I was charmed by Kristoff (Mason Reeves) and his silent but very expressive reindeer Sven (Collin Baja).

FROZEN continues through February 6. Ticket info and availability at https://www.whartoncenter.com

CATS— there’s a reason it keeps coming back…to be “fed” at our back door of applause…?

The first time I saw Cats I got frustrated/confused looking for more of a plot — but it’s really a series of captivating song-and-dance self portraits of an assortment of “Jellicle” cats (supposedly a contraction of “dear little cats” from T.S. Elliott’s poems which inspired the show.) Each cat is special in their own way, not unlike people. The idea that Elder Cat “Old Deuteronomy” will chose one cat to ascend to the “Heaviside Layer” can be adapted to whatever form of afterlife/reincarnation/redemption you like.

Knowing not to fret over plot allowed me to relax and be charmed and amazed by these performers who were spectacular in every way. it’s all music and dance, predictably cat-like but also varied and surprising, creating magical stage pictures in the spooky junkyard set with fabulous costumes and lighting effects. The live orchestra was continual and so was the amazing choreography. The soaring Andrew Lloyd Weber music lifts us all to that “heaviside layer.”

Note that Wharton center is now requiring the audience not only to wear masks throughout, but also present vaccination cards or negative COVID test results within 72 hours, along with photo i.d. Kids 11 and under skip these requirements but must be accompanied by a compliant adult. 

CATS continues at Wharton Center’s Great Hall through January 9. Get tickets at http://whartoncenter.com