Starting on February 18, 2020 there will be new actors portraying Anna, Elsa, and Hans on Disney’s Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical on Broadway. The announcement arrives as Frozen nears its second anniversary. Today Disney Theatrical Productions announced that McKenzie Kurtz will be taking over the role of Anna. This will be her broadway debut. Ciara Renée (Pippin, Big Fish, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) will be taking over the role of Elsa. They will be replacing Patti Murin and Caissie Levy who originated the roles. They will be joined by Ryan McCartan (Wicked; Heathers: The Musical; Disney Channel’s “Liv & Maddie”) who will take over the role of Hans from Joe Carroll. All three will start performing their roles on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Patti Murin, Caissie Levy, and Joe Carroll will perform the roles for the final time on Sunday, February 16, 2020.
There will be seven other principles who will continue their roles in Frozen. This includes Chad Burris (Olaf), Noah J. Ricketts (Kristoff), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Adam Jepsen(Sven at certain performances), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven at certain performances), and Alyssa Fox (Elsa Standby), along with Anna Rae Haller (Young Elsa at certain performances), Suri Marrero (Young Elsa at certain performances), Fiona Morgan Quinn (Young Anna at certain performances), and Charlie Tassone (Young Anna at certain performances). Lauren Nicole Chapman, an original ensemble member of the cast, will take over the Anna Standby role starting on February 18 as well.
Frozen has a cast of over 40 performers. The others included in the cast are Alicia Albright, Kate Bailey, Tracee Beazer, Keely Beirne, Wendi Bergamini, Claire Camp, Spencer Clark, Michael Fatica, Cajai Fellows Johnson, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Charissa Hogeland, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Austin Lesch, Robin Masella, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Tyrone L. Robinson, Julius Anthony Rubio, Anthony Sagaria, Ann Sanders, Brian Steven Shaw, Jacob Smith,Jake David Smith, Bronwyn Tarboton, Harris M. Turner, and Charlie Williams.
Frozen brings to life on the stage the Disney Animated Feature that took the world by storm in 2013. After a run in Denver and previews on Broadway, it officially opened on March 22, 2018. It tells the story through music, dance, and even puppetry of two sisters who are both princesses, but one has magical powers. It doesn’t just copy the original animated feature though, new music and story elements were brought to the production as well. Frozen can be seen on Broadway at the St. James Theatre and it also currently is touring as well.
Official Biographies
McKENZIE KURTZ (Anna) is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut in Frozen! Previous credits include Footloose (The Muny) and Female Troubles(Williamstown). Proud alumna of the University of Michigan School of Music Theatre and Dance. @mckenziekurtz
CIARA RENÉE (Elsa) can be seen onscreen in Facebook Watch’s series “Strangers,” Netflix’s “Master of None,” CBS’s “Big Bang Theory,” and on the CW’s “Legends of Tomorrow,” “Arrow,” and “Flash.” She just wrapped up playing Mariana in MCC Theater’s production of The Wrong Man. Ciara originated the role of The Witch in Big Fish and appeared as the Leading Player in Pippin on Broadway. She also originated the role of Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Paper Mill Playhouse. She was also seen as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar at The Muny and Peggy/Maria in the final lab of Hamilton. Ciara splits her time between New York and Los Angeles and also directs/produces. She co-directed (with Michael Dallatorre) a short documentary Ian Leui: Beating The Odds (Children’s Fund of California). Also the writer, EP, and co-director of the short film Reddy Records.
RYAN McCARTAN (Hans) recently wrapped a new musical with the Roundabout Theater Company, Scotland, PA, where he played the lead role of Mac. In 2018, Ryan made his Broadway debut as Fiyero in Wicked. Ryan also premiered off-Broadway in the lead role of JD in Heathers: The Musical at New World Stages. Ryan made his solo debut at Feinstein’s 54 Below in NYC this winter to rave reviews. Ryan was thrilled to be a part of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” as the lead role of Brad Majors, directed by Kenny Ortega, released on Fox Television. Young audiences know Ryan as Diggie, the love interest to Maddie, on Disney Channel’s “Liv & Maddie.” Additional television credits include “Freakish,” “Royal Pains,” “Midnight TX”, “Monday Mornings”, “Last Man Standing,” and “The Middle.” Ryan’s music is available on iTunes and most music outlets.
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