The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, Frozen March 19-22 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over 80 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers.  This is the 63^rd anniversary of theatre at Riverside.

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

We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is PART ONE in a three-part series about Frozen. Featured tomorrow will be part 2 of the cast Q&A and part three will feature a review of the show and gallery of show photos.

Corrina Freed

Part in Musical: Elsa

Current Grade: I am a Senior in high school and this is the first lead role I have ever had in a musical.

Been in musicals/plays since: I’ve been participating in stage crew for 5 years and this is my second year actually performing on stage.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: The musicals I have been in are Matilda, Damn Yankees, Addams Family, and Mame.

Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song in Frozen is Monster. I really enjoy it because it is a very powerful song in the show and is a lot of fun to perform.

What interested you in this role: The most interesting part about playing Elsa is getting to work with the projections that are happening on stage that really make the show magical. It’s very exciting to get to see aspects of a Disney movie come to life on stage.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: My favorite part of my costume is the costume change during Let It Go. It’s amazing to have a quick change in the middle of a song and it greatly contributes to the magical aspects of the role as well.

What’s the hardest part about your role: In my opinion, the hardest part about playing Elsa is being able to keep strong, healthy vocals throughout the show. Elsa’s songs have a lot of belting so taking care of your voice is essential to making it through the show.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Something life changing that playing Elsa has shown me is that you never have to go through anything alone and that your past doesn’t define who you are.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will really enjoy the cool effects we have on stage like the fog machines and projector effects. I think they will also enjoy a lot of our quick costume changes and difficult dancing.

What is unique about this musical: One thing that is unique about Frozen is the puppets that are used. The Olaf and Sven puppets are both so impressively created and are very unique pieces of the show that we don’t normally get to work with in other musicals.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could play any part in any musical I would want to play Kathy Selden from Singing in the Rain. Singing in the Rain has been one of my favorite musicals for a while and I really enjoy her character and the dancing in the musical, so I think it would be a very fun musical to be a part of.

What other activities are you involved in: Other activities I’m involved in besides musical are Tennis, Softball, Track and Field, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir.

Future plans: My future plans are to attend Duquesne University for Forensic Science and Law to become a crime scene technician or to work in a crime lab.

Anything else you would like to add: I am so thankful that I got to experience my first lead role in my senior year of high school. It has been an amazing experience and I’m so grateful that I was chosen for this opportunity.

Molly Linville

Part in Musical: Anna

Current Grade: 12

Been in musicals/plays since: 2022

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Matilda, Damn Yankees, Grandma Addams in The Addams Family, Agnes Gooch in Mame

Favorite Song in this musical: It’s a difficult choice because Frozen the musical has a great mix of songs from the original movie and songs added for the stage production. I think my favorite might have to be I Can’t Lose You because the harmonies sound so pretty, and I get to sing with my best friend.

What interested you in this role: I grew up loving the Disney princesses, so getting to play one is a dream come true for me. Anna is such a bubbly and fun character, and it is so fun portraying her on stage.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I absolutely love my coronation dress. I have a lot of different costumes I get to wear throughout the show, but the dress Anna wears to Elsa’s coronation is by far my favorite. I’m so excited to wear it on stage.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part for me is probably the amount of choreography I’ve had to learn. I’ve done very little dancing in the musicals I’ve been a part of the last couple of years, and now, I am in every dance number and have many complicated lifts to do. It’s very fun, but it’s also very new to me.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: I think Anna represents the importance of perseverance and never giving up on the people you care about.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: Frozen appeals to a wide range of audiences. I think everyone who watches will appreciate the humor, fun songs, and beautiful costumes and sets.

What is unique about this musical: Frozen the musical is based on the Disney movie, which is extremely popular, but I actually prefer the stage production to the original movie. The additions to the musical all fit so well and add so much to the story. I think it’s rare to see a stage adaptation that’s done as well as Frozen is.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: My biggest dream role right now is Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde is one of my favorite shows, and I love Elle’s character because she shows that a girl can be both feminine and powerful at the same time.

What other activities are you involved in: I am also in marching band, concert choir, chamber choir, and tennis.

Future plans: I plan to attend Duquesne University.

Anything else you would like to add: Come see Frozen!

Donovan Hunter

Part in Musical: Hans of the Southern Isles

Current Grade: 12

Been in musicals/plays since: 2021

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Riverside’s production of Matilda the Musical – Big Kid, Riverside’s production of Damn Yankees – Smokey, New Castle Playhouse’s Production of Newsies – Henry, Riverside’s Production of The Addams Family – Caveman Ancestor, Riverside’s Production of Mame – Older Patrick, Riverside’s production of Frozen – Hans of the Southern Isles

Favorite Song in this Musical: Colder by the Minute

What interested you in this role: I always loved the specific songs that Hans sings the most, but he is also a very interesting character to the plot of the story.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: An iconic prop that cannot go unnoticed is the maypole for one of the early dancing scenes, it truly is beautifully made and so very well decorated!

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part about my role as Hans is most definitely when I have to help support lifts and stunts for one of the early songs while also keeping enough stamina to sing out very long, high, and direct musical notes.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Being the surprise villain in the end, I would hope I take nothing away from my character’s evil tendencies. Jokes aside, I think his character helps me realize how you really cannot judge a book by its cover, you have to get to know them truly, first.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think that the stage production of Frozen is VERY different from the movie, so even if you are a fan of the movie, you are in for a treat for this show!

What is unique about this musical: This musical is NOT your standard Disney show, it has a darker, almost Grimm Brothers Fairy tales vibe, and it adds a fresh new take on the classic Disney movie most people know and love.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could have ANY role in any musical, I would probably have to choose either the Genie from Aladdin or Aladdin himself! Either would be amazing!

What other activities are you involved in: Cross Country, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, 4-H, I am in the debate club, creative writing club, I am the Riverside class of 2026 President, and am the school mascot.

Future plans: Attend Penn State Main Campus (University Park) and major in Music Education so I can hopefully direct and produce musicals in my future!

Luke Grodson

Part in Musical: Duke of Weselton

Current Grade: 12th

Been in musicals/plays since: 9th Grade

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Damn Yankees, The Addams Family, and Mame (as Ito)

Favorite Song in this musical: Monster

What interested you in this role: I knew when the cast list was released that I was going to have a ton of fun developing my role. The Duke of Weselton is a really crazy guy, so I spent a lot of time wondering exactly why he acts the way he does.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I love getting to dress up in older military-style clothes. It’s a very important part of getting in character for me, plus I look very dapper.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part about my role is probably mimicking Weselton physically. He is meant to be a shrively, short, old man, so I have had to learn how to imitate those characteristics.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: I wouldn’t say Weselton has any admirable traits that I hope to keep with me in life. However, I guess the character has taught me how to kiss up to people quick enough to not get punched.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think people are going to enjoy seeing one of their favorite Disney movies adapted for the stage. The musical perfectly balances aspects of the movie that people adore with new, super-fun additions.

What is unique about this musical: Something different about Frozen that I haven’t had to use a lot in other shows is my imagination. Especially with a set with a lot of pieces, I have to envision the environment more than usual.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would love to play either Jesus or Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. The songs they have are amazing and the show is a great exploration of their thoughts.

What other activities are you involved in: I am an inducted member of the Tri-M Honors Society. I am also a member of the Riverside High School Chamber Choir.

Future plans: I currently plan on attending a four-year college to major in history.

Anything else you would like to add: Much love to all my family and thanks for your never-ending support!

Don’t miss the show!

Dates and times

• Thursday March 19 – 7:30 p.m.
• Friday March 20 – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday March 21 – 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday March 22 – 2 p.m.

All tickets for these performances are $12.00 and can be purchased here.  Riverside Beaver County High School is located at 300 Country Club Drive, Ellwood City, PA  16117.  If you have questions, email the producer at brodgers@rbcsd.com

Frozen is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.  www.mtishows.com.