Review: CMT's "Frozen" is a triumph for its young cast

Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post
July 21, 2026

Now that the curtain has fallen on Children's Musical Theatre's 2026 Mainstage production of "Frozen," one thought has stayed with me.

Be proud. It was amazing.

Putting together a full-scale musical in about a month with dozens of young performers is no small feat, but this cast delivers. There are moments that will make you laugh, moments that will make you grin from ear to ear and, yes, moments that might give you chills.

Isaac Brewer as Kristoff.
Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post

I could spend days talking about individual performances. Carson Brewer's Olaf is absolutely precious. Every time he walked on stage, I found myself smiling. Isaac Brewer's Kristoff has natural chemistry with the whole cast and especially Sven; he creates genuinely funny moments, and his interactions are among the show's highlights.

Don’t be late to your set after intermission because Nathan Van Noy bursts onto the stage as Oaken and completely owns it. The accent, the dancing, the singing, the comedic timing — it all works. His scene is short, but he makes every second count. He deserves a whole spin-off.

Nathan Van Noy as Oaken
Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post

Jayce Wager also deserves a shoutout as Hans. He brings exceptional vocals and a confident stage presence to the role, matching the energy of every performer he shares the stage with. Going from quirky with Anna to serious with others.

Coming into the show, I had one big question. Could Elsa, aka Marisol De La Rosa, deliver "Let It Go?"

The answer is yes.

Actually, it's better than yes.

Marisol De La Rosa as Elsa.
Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post

She doesn't just hit the song. She absolutely smashes it. As a matter of fact, she nails all the songs.

Her powerful vocals elevate every number she's part of, but "Let It Go" is the moment the audience has been waiting for, and she delivers. Goose bumps.

Strong singing is only part of what makes this production work. There are standout acting performances throughout the cast. I have to point out how Gabe Stearman leans all the way into the Duke of Weselton, committing to an over-the-top voice, exaggerated expressions and physical comedy that make the character a joy to watch.

Ani Patton as Anna.
Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post

But if there's one performance that I really have to talk about, it's Ani Patton as Anna.

Large stages can be unforgiving. Expressions get lost. Body language has to be bigger without becoming overdone. Musical performers sometimes have a habit of becoming different people once the singing starts, almost like they're playing two versions of the same character.

Ani never falls into that trap.

Whether she's speaking or singing, Anna remains Anna. And that's harder than it sounds. It's a deceptively difficult role because Anna is constantly bouncing between excitement, heartbreak, frustration, hope and joy, often changing emotions from one word to the next. That's not an easy character to pull off, but Ani makes every shift feel natural. She never loses who Anna is, no matter what emotion she's playing, and that's what impressed me the most.

I was surprised to learn this is Ani's first lead role, because she usually lands dance-heavy parts. If that's true, we have all been missing out. Her performance is remarkably polished for a 16-year-old, and I have a feeling this won't be the last time she finds herself center stage.

The best compliment I can give this production is simple: It doesn't feel like you're watching kids trying to put on "Frozen." It feels like you're watching talented young performers who have poured their hearts into creating something special.

That speaks not only to the cast but also to the directors, musicians, choreographers, backstage crew, volunteers and parents who make Children's Musical Theatre possible year after year. Producing a show of this scale in just a few weeks is an accomplishment in itself. Producing one with this much heart is something worth celebrating.

Congratulations to the entire company of "Frozen." You should all be incredibly proud of what you've accomplished.