Four stars of 'Frozen, the Musical" can't wait to play dream roles under the spotlight

Mollie Pedersen, a junior, who plays Anna, takes to the stage during the the play's first dress rehearsal last month (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - In the realm of television, movies and musicals, there are few plot lines that feature two powerful women whose interactions could determine the devastation or deliverance of an entire kingdom.
But that is what happens in "Frozen, the Broadway Musical," which premiers on March 18 in the Spaulding High auditorium where Disney's wildly popular 2013 animated "Frozen" will come to life when more than 60 cast members take to the stage for a five-day run.
The two most consequential women in the musical, sisters Anna and Elsa, will each be played by two cast members who will alternate performances.
Suffice it to say, all four are unbelievably thrilled to get a chance to play such pivotal roles.
Mollie Pederson and Violet Nelson said they can't wait for opening night and look forward to the challenge of playing Anna, the protagonist.
"This has always been my dream role," said Pederson, a junior. "I'm looking forward so much to singing her songs."
Violet Nelson, a senior, said she's focusing on just one thing.
"I'll be concentrating on just thinking of the character in the (2013) Disney animation," she said. "I'll be channeling her."
Meanwhile, Elsa, who possesses dangerous ice powers and accidentally plunges her kingdom into an eternal winter, will be played by Zsofia Perron and Hannah Breton.
"Elsa is very serious in character, but I think she can be inspiring to little girls," said Perron, a sophomore.
"I can't wait to play her," added Breton, a senior. "I just love her voice and mannerisms."
Nikki Luciano-Bourgeois, Spaulding's director of Choral and Theater Activities, said the exuberance among the cast and stage hands is building in anticipation of their opening in less than two weeks.
Cast and crew have been rehearsing for almost three months.
Luciano-Bourgeois added that the fast-paced musical will feature all the original characters, great special effects, and a couple of "amazing" puppets that play the lovable reindeer and snowman.
Beside the cast, there will also be 15 Spaulding musicians in the orchestra pit, 20 students working the lights and a backstage crew of another 20.
She added that the students are having a great time getting ready for the much-beloved children's classic.
"They are really enjoying themselves," noted Luciano-Bourgeois, "but the are taking the show process very seriously."
The play opens March 18 with a 6:30 p.m. show and runs through March 22.
For more info including tickets click here.