Frozen Jr producer Christie Blizzard excited to bring classic musical to Perth from Saturday June 29
Experienced theatre professional Christie Blizzard couldn’t wait to see the back of global juggernaut Frozen The Musical when it toured Perth in 2023.
But not because she didn’t enjoy it.
The founder of The Production Academy — a musical theatre and youth drama studio in Osborne Park — had grand designs on adapting the famous fairytale into her very own Disney reality.
Following a tireless journey of licensing approvals, casting and production, the industry veteran is excited to see her production of Frozen Jr hit the stage on Saturday at Newman College’s Marist Auditorium.
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Frozen Jr will open on Saturday. Credit: The Production Academy
Full cast of Frozen Jr. Credit: The Production Academy
“I wanted to do a musical with the studio and Perth youth for quite a while, and I knew the first one I wanted to do was always going to be Frozen, and then it came on tour in Perth, in Australia,” she said.
“So I knew that wasn’t possible.”
With Music Theatre International (MTI) controlling the licensing and quality of Disney’s stage adaptations in Australia, the theatre buff laid out her credentials and timings for an underage adaptation which was eventually greenlit.
“It’s a bit of an application process,” she said.
“You can’t just walk off the street and say, ‘That’s what I want!”
Frozen Jr is set to bring the signature charm of Frozen. Credit: The Production Academy
Getting the nod to begin casting and production in October, the show’s producer, experienced director Dixie Farinosi, and supporting team have had their ice skates on since — rehearsing for two school terms.
Billed as an eight-show run through the school holidays, their eager cast of smiley stars are primed to wow audiences.
“It’s just insane how talented they are, and a real different mix,” the producer insisted.
Ranging from six to 18 years of age, Perth’s next generation of industry talent may be short in stature, but not in work ethic.
Rehearsals for Frozen Jr. Credit: The Production Academy
Ms Blizzard revealed her youngest cast member Eddie had “stepped straight off an RAC campaign, straight into Frozen Jr.”
Joining his two siblings Lucy and Abbie as cast members, Eddy’s mother Meaghan Deane is riding the wave of excitement fuelled by her youngsters.
“They keep telling me just how amazing the show is going to be!” Ms Deane said.
With her kids having performed at the Royal Show, and daughter Lucy rocking the Telethon arena, the stage mum’s trio of talented youngsters have both enthusiasm and talent in spades.
Lucy Condon rehearsing. Credit: Meaghan Deane
While led by her children’s passion for the stage, the mother of three couldn’t be more impressed with Ms Blizzard’s approach to cultivating the next crop of stage stars.
Having worked alongside screen stars Vincent D’Onofrio and Rob Guest as a child actor, the experienced creative understands the value of honing skills at a young age.
A young Christie Blizzard pictured with American actor Vincent D'Onofrio. Credit: Christie Blizzard
With an all-youth cast, Frozen Jr is set to harness all the magic of Elsa, Anna, and friends, yet is designed for a younger audience to engage with.
Fans of the show are even encouraged to mingle with cast members for the full experience.
Frozen Jr will take place from June 29 - July 6 at Newman College’s Marist Auditorium in Churchlands.
Tickets available here.