Frozen is ready to bow its next major live entertainment production. As announced on the Disney Parks Blog, Frozen—Live at the Hyperion will premiere May 27, 2016, inside Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Performing in the beautiful Hyperion Theatre, the show replaces Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular, which debuted in 2003 and closed this past January. The experienced Broadway team bringing Arendelle to life at Disney California Adventure includes:
- Director: Liesl Tommy (Eclipsed)
- Writer: Chad Beguelin (Aladdin, The Wedding Singer)
- Musical Supervisor and Arranger: Jason Michael Webb (The Color Purple)
- Puppet Designer: Michael Curry (The Lion King)
Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment Portfolio Executive Dana Harrel oversees the project.
If the new show is anything like the former Aladdin occupant, guests are in for a real treat, practically a mini-Broadway show. However, it is important to note that Frozen—Live at the Hyperion is a completely independent project from the Broadway production of Frozen currently in development for a 2017 opening in New York City.
In preparation for the arrival of Frozen—Live at the Hyperion, California Adventure’s current, small-scale Frozen show will end. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will close April 17, while its Florida counterpart will continue to operate at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is unknown at this time if Muppet*Vision 3D will return to its former theatre when the sing-along concludes, or if a new experience is in development for the space.
Meanwhile, in Florida, an array of other Frozen experiences await their grand openings at Walt Disney World. We’ve known for quite some time that Frozen Ever After (an immersive ride experience) and Royal Sommerhus (a permanent character greeting for Anna and Elsa) will both open at Epcot this summer. Now comes additional news that guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have the chance to meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight, a new venue opening this spring that will eventually see an ongoing rotation of newer Disney stars. Additionally, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will play host to the Frozen Games this summer. Choosing Team Kristoff or Team Olaf, guests can participate in competitive games and activities throughout the day. Special opening and closing ceremonies each day will see appearances by Kristoff and Olaf themselves.
Which of these ‘Frozen’ experiences intrigues you the most? What do you hope to see in the new show?
Edited by: Kajsa Rain Forden
