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 TWO in a three-part series about Frozen. Featured tomorrow will be part three, a review of the show and gallery of show photos.

Chase Emerick

Part in Musical: Olaf

Current Grade: Senior

Been in musicals/plays since: 8th grade

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Mal in The Addams Family, Mr. Welch in Damn Yankees

Favorite Song in this musical: Monster

What interested you in this role: It’s a very unique role, mechanically. Not only do I have to comedically prance about onstage, but I also have to control a physical Olaf puppet the entire time.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Olaf himself!

What’s the hardest part about your role: Olaf himself!

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Love is putting someone else’s needs before yours.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: It’s very entertaining. There is so much to see and feel in this show. It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, from sad, to scary, to funny, to happy. It leaves you with a feeling that no other show really has for me.

What is unique about this musical: There is a plethora of special effects that you don’t see much of in other musicals.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I got to pick, I would love to get the opportunity to play as Bobby Strong in Urinetown, one of my favorite musicals.

What other activities are you involved in: I do all of our high school choir activities.

Future plans: I’d like to attend college with a major in Audio and Music Production.

Anything else you would like to add: Shout out to my friend kip!!

Abigail Cook

Part in Musical: Stage Manager

Current Grade: 12

Been in musicals/plays since: 2022

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I was in stage crew for Matilda and Damn Yankees and have been a stage manager in The Adams Family, Mame, and now Frozen

Favorite Song in this musical: I can’t lose you

What interested you in this role: I always love helping people wherever I can, and I can do the most to help being a stage manager because I not only help the director but I also help the cast and crew.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I dont have a costume but i help with makeup in the musical. On the trolls this year I am painting tribal marks on them that look super cool.

What’s the hardest part about your role: One of my jobs as a manager is to keep people on task and that can be very difficult at times trying to keep 50 people focused

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Being a manager has taught me responsibility and that you have to be accountable for your actions.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: The vocals this year are incredible and the dances are so fun to watch.

What is unique about this musical: There are 2 puppets in this musical that 2 of our cast members have to learn how to move and control.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I don’t think i would take any other part in the musical. I love what I do and think it’s amazing to see the production grow.

What other activities are you involved in: I play tennis and run track

Future plans: I am going to The University of Pittsburgh to study biochemistry on the pre-medicine track.

Anything else you would like to add: I am so grateful for the experience this has given me and for everyone in it that has supported me along the way.

Toni Baker

Part in Musical: Stage Manager

Current Grade: 12

Been in musicals/plays since: 7th grade

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Mame, Addams Family, Damn Yankees (stage manager); Matilda (stage crew), Happy Days (concession stand)

Favorite Song in this musical: I can’t lose you

What interested you in this role: I have been a stage manager for the past 3 years and I love doing it, so I had to do it again!

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Olaf is definitely my favorite “prop” in this show! The puppet design is extremely cool and I love it!

What’s the hardest part about your role:  Though I do not specifically have a “role”, my role as stage manager is quite difficult because we are in charge of many parts of the production.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: My experience in the past productions has taught me many things about being a leader, working hard, and learning to respect everyone around you. Every single person that is involved in the show, no matter how big or small their role is, on stage or off stage. The show would not be the same without everyone who works so hard to put it together.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think that the audience will love the dance numbers in this show! My personal favorite to watch is Hygge because it is so fun, and I hope the audience will feel the same way.

What is unique about this musical: The original Frozen is a children’s movie, but Frozen the Musical is so much more than that, and it contains so many important lessons and beautiful moments that truly make it different from anything else.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would love to be a part of a production of Mamma Mia! It is my absolute favorite, and it would be so special to me to be involved in.

What other activities are you involved in: I am a member of National Honors Society, president of the Riverside Bible Club, and I work as a server at Smokey Bones Cranberry!

Future plans: I plan to major in Food Science at Penn State University and to become a Food Scientist or Food Researcher!

Jianna Curcio

Part in Musical: Featured Dancer (Dance Captain)

Current Grade: 11

Been in musicals/plays since: 7th Grade (2022)

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Matilda, Damn Yankees, The Addams Family, Mame, and Frozen

Favorite Song in this musical: Fixer Upper

What interested you in this role: I love to dance, and it gives me a chance to help other people enhance their skills to create the best possible show.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: The ghillie suits we wear as hidden folk in Fixer Upper.

What’s the hardest part about your role: There are a lot of songs that are all fast paced and very different choreography that goes with them along with many lifts. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in what you are doing.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: It’s taught me that you don’t have to be a lead to be important. I may not be Elsa or Anna but dancing is a vital part of the musical as well.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I feel like the audience will enjoy the energy that flows through the room especially in the dance numbers.

What is unique about this musical: It is a big fan favorite that everyone knows, so we have to truly deliver in all aspects.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would love to play Sandy Olsson from Grease because it was one of the first musicals I remember falling in love with.

What other activities are you involved in: Soccer, Swimming, Cross Country, Track & Field, Marching Band, and Chamber Choir

Future plans: After graduation next year, I plan on playing collegiate soccer while pursuing Biomedical Engineering.

Anything else you would like to add: Come see FROZEN at Riverside High School!

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.