Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) Drama staged three performances of Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” (Lee & Buck, 2013) Nov. 14-15. Friday’s performance felt more like a dress rehearsal, but the cast rallied to iron out kinks and deliver high-energy, blissfully arctic shows to Saturday’s sold-out crowds. The stage, minimally set, allowed space for a large ensemble, highlighting Susie Taylor’s ornate costume designs while the club’s new digital projection system established a dynamic mise en scène. Addie Barter and Maya Rhys Jacobs delivered impeccable lighting, perhaps the best to date at a BRHS production, outside of One Acts competitions.

Sophia Mansfield (Anna) shocked no one by delivering utterly flawless performances. Perfect singing, perfect acting, and maybe a sore hip from performing her own stunts, Mansfield has become synonymous with stage perfection. Elevating the performances of those around her, Mansfield hones her last bastion, separating hobbyist from professional. Her chemistry with Titan Lewis (Kristoff) was a lifetime in the making, a connection the audience absorbs. Lewis, the quiet, understated realist of the story, symbolizes friendship as the foundation of love. “Ultimately, I took inspiration from my dad,” said Lewis. “He’s gruff and often grumpy, but he loves us so much … he’d do anything for us.”

Natalie Flagg’s (Elsa) refined balance in a complex role is outstanding. Both regal and powerful, but unable to control her ice, she voluntarily withdraws into herself to protect the ones she loves, yet longs for them endlessly. Straddling between well-deserved confidence in her vocal abilities in songs like “Let it Go” while holding character as an insecure royal is a tall order Flagg nails. Backed up by the Snow Chorus: Chau Nguyen, Isabel Fanslau, MacKenzie Thyen, Makayla Fairservice, Aryana Gray and Sammy Colby, Flagg shifts effortlessly between the blended sound of a choir and the technical acumen of a soloist.

All of Disney's stories need a dark and brooding villain; enter Kora McKenny (Hans). “I watched a lot of TV and studied the villains. I was afforded room for improvisation and the scene where I leave Anna to die, I did all of that on my own,” she said. McKenny and Chloe Joneth were recognized at the end of the show by Director Dr. Mary Miller as seniors in their final year of drama club. “This is my fifth year in drama since I started in eighth grade. I’m going to miss it so much, but there’s more this year, and as soon as one show ends, I start looking forward to the next one,” said Joneth.

Aubrey Holmes (Olaf) was on fire, even if cast as a snowman. Delivering the story’s wisdom, fanning the flames of eternal optimism, her punchlines ruled supreme. How many of us can pick a lock with a carrot nose? “I’ve always been in the ensemble, but Olaf is so funny, the perfect role for me to try to do more,” she said. Holmes and Olaf are kindred spirits. “I try to be positive all the time. I love winter! (because I don’t sweat) and in summer, I like to swim,” – which is what a snowman would do that time of the year.

Frida Kirchhauser (Sven, Queen Iduna) is the epitome of why our foreign exchange programs should be cherished. A guest in Boothbay this year, Kirchhauser simply sparkles with the energy of a thousand stars. Kirchhauser is here for all the right reasons, “to experience a new culture, to become more independent, to meet new people and make new friends, I want to do it all – I loved field hockey and look forward to basketball, and this play was so much fun!” Growing up in Stuttgart, Kirchhauser knows the Disney classic and all the songs in German. “Sven doesn’t talk much but sings a lot; it is easier for me to remember the language (English) when I sing,” she said. “There’s so much school spirit here, I’m so grateful to have this experience.”

Fans of BRHS Drama can take comfort in the rank and file. This performance was loaded with talented freshmen and sophomores. Jayden Coulombe (Bishop, Duke of Weselton) is on track for leading roles, Aryana Gray (Oaken, Cook) delightfully dominates her scenes, Sammy Colby (Young/Middle Elsa) is mesmerizing, and Allison Smart (Young/Middle Anna) is brilliant (pun intended), bringing studied and well-considered style to each of her many roles. Her future in drama is a certainty to anticipate.

Two questions remained at the end of the show: Where was the over-the-top choreography we’ve come to expect from the club? And where has junior Casey Phelps been the last few years? His cameos as Guard and King Agnarr left the audience wanting to see more of him.

Special thanks to Joe Hackett, Chip Schwehm, Manon Lewis, Carousel Music Theater and JWM Electric. “Frozen Jr.” is presented through special arrangement with all authorized materials supplied by Music Theater International; music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez; based on the book and film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Lee.