For sheer joy and entertainment, it’s hard to beat Disney’s immensely popular movie, “Frozen” – unless you’re the City of Fairfax Theatre Co. (CFTC) bringing it to life on stage. And that’s exactly what’s about to happen. 

In the midst of a hot and humid summer, local audiences are in for a cool treat with this snowy musical running July 24-Aug. 1. With a cast and crew of nearly 100, all performances are at Katherine Johnson Middle School, 3801 Jermantown Road in Fairfax. (Enter through Door 10). 

“Full of magic, humor and a stunning musical score, ‘Frozen’ is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance and finding the real meaning of true love,” said Producer Becky Gould-Levine. “It’s a spectacular summer show, and we’re incredibly proud of what everyone involved has created.”

The story unfolds in the kingdom of Arendelle. Princesses Anna and Elsa have grown up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa’s crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control of her, so she flees to the mountains. 

As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna embarks on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with help from hardworking ice-harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a cheerful snowman named Olaf.

The curtain rises Friday, July 24, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 25, at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 26, at 3 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, July 30-31, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 1, at 2 and 7 p.m.

A special, sensory-friendly show for a smaller audience is set for Wednesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. It’s designed to create a comfortable experience for individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities or other disabilities by modifying sound and lighting, etc. Their families will receive ticket priority.

Tickets are $31.60, adults; and $16.30, children; at https://www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org/current-season/frozen.

“This is such a fun musical with big dance numbers, funny scenes, heartfelt songs and lots of special effects,” said Director Amanda Herman Snellings. “It’s one of CFTC’s most ambitious endeavors, but we’re all having a great time doing it.

“Almost 200 people from throughout Fairfax County and surrounding areas auditioned, and casting was incredibly difficult because of the high level of talent here. And I’m always in awe that these are all volunteers with other responsibilities, such as jobs and parenting duties.”

The cast ranges in age from 4-1/2 to senior citizens and includes several teachers. For example, Chantilly High theater director Andy Shaw helped design the set and will portray Sven the reindeer. There are also couples, sisters, parent-child duos and even a family of four acting together. “That’s why CFTC is so different from other theater companies,” said Snellings. “Here, families can enjoy acting and making theater magic together.”

Scenes take place in the town of Arendelle, the mountains, Elsa’s ice palace and Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post & Sauna. “It was important to me to bring back the big, exciting, family musical we could all have joy preparing and performing,” explained Snellings. “It’s also the first year ‘Frozen’s’ Broadway show has been available to license, so I did it last summer because I knew it would be perfect for CFTC.

“‘Frozen’ presents a real message of how true love isn’t necessarily what you think it’s going to be all the time. And the journey Elsa and Anna take back to each other is relatable to anyone who’s had a sister. I also can’t wait to see how many kids come to the show in costume. I hope they’ll be wowed by all our special magic.

“And I love how willing everyone in the show is to help with the set, painting, costumes, props, lighting, hair and makeup. Community theater is all about the joy of putting on a production together, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with the audience.”

Portraying Anna is Amelia Jacquat. “She has a huge heart, even when the logic doesn’t make sense,” said Jacquat. “She’s energetic, full of light and love, and always looking on the bright side. Anna’s fueled by the love she has for her sister, and it’s fun to see her adventures and the friends she makes along the way to find Elsa.”

Loving her role, Jacquat said, “I have an older sister, too, and felt connected to this part. Anna’s so goofy, and I find happiness and laughter in every moment acting with this cast. Elsa tells Anna, ‘The magic one is you,’ and that makes me emotional, thinking about love and about sharing it with the people around you.”

Her favorite song is “For the First Time in Forever,” sung by the entire cast. “It shows Anna and Elsa in the moments when they’re alone before the coronation, and it’s the first time the audience sees them as adult princesses. And then the whole company enters the castle gates and sings and dances together.”

After seeing this production, said Jacquat, “Audiences will be left with a feeling of warmth and community. One of the lines in it is, ‘Let’s fill this world with light and love,’ and this show does exactly that.”

Draconia Craig plays Elsa. “She’s a deeply resilient woman who holds a stoic composure while expressing a sacrificial type of love for her sister,” said Craig. “She has love and light within her but shields it inside to protect the ones she loves from the powers within that she can’t control.”

Craig’s also pleased to have this part. “When I saw the movie, I saw similarities between myself and Elsa,” she said. “I love sharing the depth of the human experience with as many people as possible. If I’ve experienced sadness, grief and isolation in my life – as many others have – and can connect with them, I can help people feel less isolated and sad, themselves, to be understood as humans.”

Craig particularly likes the song, “Colder by the Minute,” because “It’s a great representation of many of the principals in the cast and ensemble. And it’s hauntingly powerful and reaches the depths of hope, resilience and fighting for love and what happens when it’s taken away. It also conveys that happiness and love can come back even stronger after the sad experiences of life.”

Whether adults or children, said Craig, this musical will let attendees enjoy “the innocence and happiness they had as children. CFTC’s motto is, ‘We put the community in community theater,’ and this production proves it.”

Playing Olaf is Brandon Schenk. “He’s a magical, talking snowman who’s a creation of Elsa’s and Anna’s imaginations,” said Schenk. “So he’s a little bit of each of them – part nice and part naughty. He enjoys warm hugs and bright sunlight and loves the summer. Technically, since he was just created, he’s only one day old when the audience first sees him, so he has an innocence, sweetness and sensitivity about him.”

“I love playing Olaf – it’s a dream come true,” continued Schenk. “I saw the movie the weekend it came out – when we had Snowmageddon here. And acting with the people portraying Kristoff, Anna and Elsa is like acting with my family.”

His favorite song is “I Can’t Lose You,” a duet sung by Jacquat and Craig as Anna and Elsa, respectively. “It’s the culmination of their love for each other, and I’m the manifestation of them,” said Schenk. “Besides these actresses’ craft and skill, their chemistry onstage is incredible.”

Overall, he said, “We have a huge cast and this is truly a family show – by and for families. We have a large children’s ensemble, everyone’s having a good time, and this show is cute, to boot. It’s a layered, multifaceted experience for every audience member, whatever their age.”

Kristoff is portrayed by William Choi. “He’s a rugged, hardworking person,” said Choi. “He shows love in a way completely opposite from Anna. He expresses it by doing stuff for his friends. He’s initially grumpy and doesn’t trust people much. He only trusts his reindeer Sven and, growing up, the ‘hidden folk’ who live in the forest. 

“Kristoff harvests ice for a living and is in Arendelle to sell it. And his personality is similar – hard and cold. He doesn’t like interacting with people; and because he grew up in a forest, he’s emotionally awkward. But it’s a coverup for his heart of gold.”

Choi said it’s “refreshing” to play Kristoff because “I usually play characters having a similar vibe to me – bubbly, upbeat and ecstatic. So I like portraying the journey he has from having walls to them all crumbling down and showing who he really is.”

The iconic “Let it Go” is Choi’s favorite number because “Everyone already knows it, but it’s still a powerhouse song with an amazing outburst of energy. And there aren’t enough words to describe how spectacularly Draconia performs it. In it, she IS Elsa.”

Choi said audiences will enjoy seeing a familiar story with the variables of live theater. “They’ll also be drawn to our new songs and character moments,” he said. “Everyone in the cast is so talented and is working hard to not only create a show, but an experience all ages will love.”

Posing in character are (from left) William Choi (Kristoff), Brandon Schenk (Olaf) and Amelia Jacquat (Anna).