(Seguin) – If you are looking for a place to cool down this weekend then The Stephen & March Birch Texas Theatre may just be the ticket. That’s because the historic theater will transform into an ice palace during the theater production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. Some of Seguin’s youngest actors will be taking the stage as part of this year’s Stars of The Texas Camp Broadway program. Curtains are set to open Friday with additional shows on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Photo by Lizz Daniels
Leading the production is Director Sheila Lucas. Lucas says after canceling last year’s show, it feels great to see the kids back on the stage this summer.
“We are just having such a wonderful time and we are so glad to be back on stage. It’s like these kids have been chomping at the bit just to get back on stage and I have too. I’ve been like ‘okay, we need to do a show now’ so it’s going very well. I’m thrilled,” said Lucas.
Lucas says this year, the campers are especially excited to also be under the direction of several local professionals. They include Choreographer Amanda Gold, of Second Story Dance & Company, formally Suzi Hughson; Director Aidan Martinez and Tim Luna from Seguin High School who serves as the technical director.
Lucas says while most people admit that Frozen songs still sing in their heads from time to time, there’s no getting away from the popular Disney plot and its famous Snow Queen Elsa.
“Everybody is so sick of ‘Let it Go! Let it Go!’ but the kids love it, and they are doing a great job. I couldn’t be more pleased to hear music coming from every room. Our counselors –they are little campers that have come all the way up. I’ve just watched them grow up every summer in this building. It couldn’t be more fun this year,” said Lucas.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Frozen if there wasn’t an Elsa, Anna and an Olaf in the cast of characters.
Excited about her first lead in a show is 12-year-old Clara Spencer-Dibble, a student at A.J. Briesemeister Middle School. Spencer-Dibble says to work alongside so many talented individuals has been amazing.
Photo by Lizz Daniels
“I’ve done this previously, but I haven’t really been a lead, so it’s definitely been new, but it’s been really fun just because Aidan hasn’t directed before so to be able to work with Aidan and Ms. Amanda has been really fun. It’s a little overwhelmingly to be the star but it’s all going to be worth it on opening night,” said Spencer-Dibble.
As for playing the Snow Queen who accidently uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home, Spencer-Dibble says…well, “it’s been fun.”
“There’s such a difference between Anna and Elsa and so it’s taking what I interpret of Elsa which is this introverted girl who has been hiding her powers for years and then also trying to match it up with how Eleanor does Anna as like this extroverted, fun sort of naïve girl,” said Spencer-Dibble.
Portraying Elsa’s sister, Anna, is 13-year-old Eleanor Crettenden, an eighth grader at Barnes Middle School. Crettenden says Broadway Camp is what she looks forward to every single year. She says these two weeks make up some of her most favorite moments of her summer. Plus, when you add Anna to her list of characters, Crettenden says that’s when things get even better.
“Anna is so quirky and that’s a part of me so it’s really fun getting to put myself on stage. So, every character I have, I always try to put a part of myself into it and this year, it was really fun because Anna is me,” said Crettenden.
Crettenden also adds that just because the show is Disney, it doesn’t mean that the adults should stay away from the ticket booth.
“It’s a show about family and reconnecting and you will find a part of yourself in the show no matter whether you have kids or not. It’s funny for the kids to see the show and to see their favorite characters but when the adults come, they see the deeper meaning and they see stuff that the kids might not see and I think that’s a really cool experience that they get to come and see,” said Crettenden.
Promising to bring the laughs to the audience will be 12-year-old Caleb Pape of Jim Barnes Middle School. Pape says he is looking forward to his portrayal of the best and only snowman in the cast Olaf.
“Olaf is a fun-loving character. He really doesn’t have much brains. He really like doesn’t understand and stuff and he’s just fun and loving,” said Pape. “Everyone is doing really good. There’s so many people that I know and it’s like a community here.”
Photo by Lizz Daniels
Unlike in years past, this year’s show was forced to limit its campers to third grade to incoming freshman. This year’s show includes 28 campers.
Lucas says the hope is to welcome back the younger students next year. She says it’s such a great experience and would like to see more kids on stage.
“Come and see what kind of talent we have right here in Seguin, Texas even at the elementary and junior high level. There’s a lot of talent right here and you don’t want to miss it. Frankly, you don’t want to miss seeing these kids on stage giving everything they’ve got and when you hear the voices and you hear the applause, there is just nothing like it,” said Lucas.
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 1 at 2:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for adults or $12 at the door. Children’s tickets are $8 pre-sale or $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Gift and Gourmet, the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and Keepers. Tickets can also be purchased online at thetexas.org. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each show.