Disney announces closure of Frozen on Broadway due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Broadway premiere of Frozen played its final performance at the St. James Theatre on March 11, 2020.

Sad news for the citizens of Arendelle... In light of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Disney Theatrical has now confirmed that the Broadway premiere of Frozen will not be returning to Broadway when the current shutdown comes to an end. Therefore, the hit musical officially played its final performance at the St. James Theatre on March 11, 2020, and played a total of 26 previews and 825 regular Broadway performances.

Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer Disney Theatrical Productions commented: "In the summer of 2013 when Frozen began its road to Broadway two things were unimaginable: that we'd soon have five productions worldwide, and a global pandemic would so alter the world economy that running three Disney shows on Broadway would become untenable. The extraordinary contribution of Broadway's original company plus those who have joined more recently cannot be overstated. Frozen, like all shows, is wholly dependent on those who create and perform them but this was an uncommonly close and talented group and they'll be missed. Finally, I have to acknowledge our incredible audiences; night after night, the fans showed us how much they loved this show and we look forward to seeing them at Frozen around the world."

The North American Tour of Disney's Frozen is still expected to resume performances at a yet-to-be confirmed date, whilst a West End premiere is currently scheduled to begin performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in October of this year. In addition, further international productions are set to open in Australia, Japan and Germany by next year.

Disney's Frozen began previews at Broadway's St. James Theatre on February 22, 2018, and officially opened on March 22. Read our review here.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated classic, Frozen features a book by the film's writer and co-director Jennifer Lee, along with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who also penned the film's soundtrack.

Synopsis: "Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Snow Queen, the musical tells the story of fearless princess Anna who sets off on an epic journey alongside a rugged iceman, his loyal pet reindeer, and a naïve snowman to find her estranged sister Elsa, whose icy powers have inadvertently trapped the kingdom in eternal winter."

The closing principal cast of Frozen included Ciara Renée (as Elsa), McKenzie Kurtz (as Anna), Noah J. Ricketts​ (as Kristoff), Ryann Redmond (as Olaf), Ryan McCartan (as Hans), Robert Creighton (as Duke of Weselton), Kevin Del Aguila (as Oaken), Donald Jones, Jr. (as Pabbie), Andrew Pirozzi and Adam Jepsen (alternating as Sven), Fiona Morgan Quinn and Charlie Tassone (alternating as Young Anna), and Anna Rae Haller and Suri Marrero (alternating as Young Elsa).

Under the direction of Tony Award winner Michael Grandage, the creative team features choreography by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford, scenic and costume design by two-time Tony Award winner Christopher Oram, lighting design by five-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz, sound design by four-time Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, music supervision and vocal & incidental arrangements by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus, orchestrations by Dave Metzger, music consultation by Chris Montan, music direction by Brian Usifer, video design by Tony Award winner Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, hair design by David Brian Brown, make-up design by Anne Ford-Coates and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick.

^{(Photo by Mary Ellen Matthews)}