Show Synopsis - Frozen

Act One

In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, the Townspeople introduce their beloved princesses, a mischievous and playful Young Anna and her older sister, a magically powerful Young Elsa, along with their loving yet concerned parents, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna ("Opening"). The kingdom celebrates summer while Young Anna prods Young Elsa into using her magical powers to create ice and snow. Queen Iduna reminds them that Elsa's magic must remain a secret.

Later that evening, the sisters build a toy snowman named Olaf ("A Little Bit of You"). In awe of Young Elsa's beautiful magic, Young Anna pleads for more. Unfortunately, the magic gets unwieldy, and Young Elsa accidentally strikes Young Anna with her powers, rendering her unconscious. The King and Queen rush to help, and Queen Iduna calls on the Hidden Folk to revive Young Anna ("First Joik"). Pabbie and Bulda, the mystical leaders of the Hidden Folk, remove the ice from Young Anna's head as well as all memories of her sister's magical powers. Fearful of the destructive potential of her magic, Young Elsa resolves to keep her powers hidden and learn to control them, isolating herself from everyone, including her sister ("Northern Lights").

With no memory of the ice strike or that fateful evening, Young Anna wonders why her sister will no longer play with her ("Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"). As time passes, Young Elsa struggles to control her powers and her fear grows, while Young Anna yearns even more for her sister's affection. The King and Queen leave the kingdom to search for answers but perish at sea. The princesses independently mourn their parents' death, isolated from each other and the outside world as they grow up.

Time passes, and it is finally Coronation Day, when Elsa will be crowned queen and the castle gates will reopen for the first time in years. Anna daydreams about how exciting it will be to have people back in the castle, while Elsa practices controlling her magic for the coronation ("For the First Time in Forever"). As guests arrive, Anna bumps into the charming Prince Hans, clumsily falling into the cart of Kristoff, a local ice harvester, and his reindeer, Sven. After an awkward first meeting, Hans introduces himself as the youngest prince of a small, humble kingdom ("Hans of the Southern Isles").

The Bishop crowns Elsa, as she successfully conceals her magic during the ceremony and privately yearns for a closer relationship with Anna ("Dangerous to Dream"). At the Coronation Ball, the two sisters finally talk and laugh together, particularly at the expense of the arrogant Duke of Weselton. Later, Anna finds Hans again. The two are instantly smitten ("Love Is an Open Door") and decide to marry. The elated couple asks Elsa for her blessing of their marriage, but she refuses. As tensions rise, Elsa loses control of her powers, accidentally blasting the ballroom with sharp ice. The guests are shocked. Elsa flees and Anna runs out to find her, leaving Prince Hans in charge of Arendelle in her stead.

On the snowy mountainside, a frigid Anna comes upon mountain man Kristoff singing to Sven ("Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People"). Kristoff decides to help Anna find her sister, but as they journey through the mountains, Kristoff and Anna's clashing worldviews come to a head ("What Do You Know About Love?"). As they climb further up the North Mountain, they are startled when Olaf, a magical talking snowman, appears. Olaf eagerly joins the duo in their quest to bring back summer, fantasizing about warmer weather ("In Summer").

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Hans has assumed leadership over Arendelle and vows to protect the nervous townspeople, including a suspicious Weselton ("Hans of the Southern Isles-Reprise"). Fearful for Anna's safety, Hans organizes a search party of Volunteers to find her. Weselton and his Lackeys join them, scheming to destroy the queen. Elsa, isolated in an ice palace of her own making, finally releases her fears and embraces her powers ("Let It Go").

Act Two

Deep in the mountains, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven come across a trading post, where the friendly shopowner Oaken shares his method for keeping spirits high in the relentless cold ("Hygge"). After supplying Anna with new winter attire, Oaken and his Family and Friends send the travelers on their way ("Hygge Encore").

Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf finally find Elsa in her ice palace, where she is amazed to see Olaf brought to life. Anna tries to convince her to return to Arendelle and tells Elsa there is nothing to fear, but Elsa remains frightened of her uncontrollable powers. She reveals to Anna the incident that almost killed her years ago and urges Anna to leave her alone ("Let It Go - Reprise"). Despite Anna's pleading to be together, Elsa is determined to remain isolated to protect her ("I Can't Lose You"). When Anna tells Elsa that her powers have set off an eternal winter everywhere, Elsa panics and accidentally strikes Anna again.

Elsa creates a snowy avalanche, sending Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven back down the mountain and away from her ice palace. At the foot of the mountain, Olaf's body is jumbled and disconnected, leaving Anna and Kristoff to put the pieces back together again ("Do You Want to Build a Snowman?- Reprise"). They share a moment of connection but are interrupted when they notice Anna's hair turning white from Elsa's strike. Hopeful to reverse the effects of the magic strike, Kristoff calls on the family who raised him: Pabbie, Bulda, and the Hidden Folk ("Kristoff Joik"). Despite their protestations, the Hidden Folk are convinced that Kristoff and Anna make a great couple ("Fixer Upper"). When Anna collapses, Kristoff reveals that Anna has been struck in the heart by Elsa. Pabbie, Bulda, and the Hidden Folk attempt to revive her with their magic; meanwhile, Kristoff realizes his love for Anna ("Kristoff Lullaby"). Unable to draw the magic out, Pabbie and Bulda declare that only an act of true love will save Anna's life. Kristoff sets off for Arendelle to unite Anna with Hans.

Back on the North Mountain, Hans continues to lead the search party through the increasingly fierce winter storm, nearing Elsa's ice palace ("End This Winter"). Elsa hears the crowd approaching and contemplates her choices, ultimately surrendering to protect her sister and her people ("Monster"). Hans brings a captured Elsa back to the castle. Shortly after, Kristoff arrives back in Arendelle with a weakening Anna, leaving her with a royal Guard to find Hans ("Kristoff Lullaby Tag").When Anna asks for her true love's kiss, Hans denies her, revealing he feigned his love to seize control of Arendelle ("King Hans"). Hans leaves a shocked and betrayed Anna to freeze to death, but Olaf arrives, determined to help her survive and find her real love, Kristoff.

Hans tells the Kingdom of Arendelle that Anna has died at the hands of her sister, and he sentences Elsa to death. Hearing this news, a grief-stricken Elsa is overcome with emotion, conjures a massive blizzard, and breaks free to escape ("Colder by the Minute"). As the storm intensifies, Hans searches for Elsa, Kristoff searches for Anna, Anna searches for Kristoff, and Elsa runs from Hans. As Anna is about to reunite with Kristoff for her life-saving true love's kiss, she sees Hans draw his sword over Elsa. Anna jumps in between them and freezes to solid ice as Hans's sword strikes, having sacrificed her own life to save her sister's.

Elsa embraces Anna, devastated that she caused her sister's death. Suddenly, Anna returns to life. Her sacrifice for Elsa, an act of true love, thaws her frozen heart. With this realization, Elsa harnesses her love for Anna and the people of Arendelle to unfreeze the kingdom, returning it to summer. Anna sends the villainous Hans away and shares a kiss with Kristoff, as Elsa assumes her place as Queen of Arendelle. The kingdom celebrates and vows to fill the world with light and love ("Finale").

Phil Johnson

Mr. Johnson joined the Brighton Musical Theater Creative Team in 2012. He has conducted the orchestra and prepared the chorus for each of the past 12 shows. He is proud to share recognition for “Excellence in Music Direction” with the 2023 BMT team for Guys and Dolls, presented by the Sutton Foster Awards. Phil has conducted Brighton High School choirs at Michigan Youth Arts Festival/All State Festival multiple times. He is a 3-time State Honors Choir Director.  Mr. Johnson received multiple nominations for “Teacher of the Year” through the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. He and his wife, Dianne, have three children, Ethan, Maxwell and Adeline, who enjoy family trips in their RV. Ethan is playing “King Agnar” and is in the chorus.  Adeline just completed “Frozen Jr.” playing “Olaf” with Pinckney Players. When not making music in the BCPA, PJ stays busy coaching Max’s 7th grade flag football team, and serving as the music director for Scranton Musical. Be on the lookout for “Beetlejuice Jr.” here in the BCPA April 24-26! Mr. Johnson would like to thank the cast, crew, orchestra, parent volunteers, and creative team of “Frozen” for making this experience so Hygge!

Michelle Holowicki

Michelle has taught Social Studies at BHS since 2006 and also teaches Performing Arts. Mrs. Holowicki has a passion for U.S. history, and government and for musicals and dancing. She co-directed and choreographed fourteen Brighton Musical productions, including Footloose, Bye Bye Birdie, Legally Blonde, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Grease, Nice Work If You Can Get It, White Christmas, Honeymoon in Vegas, Pippin, Newsies, Cinderella, High School Musical, Anastasia and a Broadway Musical Revue. She and her husband Josh are the proud parents of their daughter Ellery (almost 7), and son Jeremiah (4), who have also taken a liking to musicals. She is grateful to God for infinite blessings and answers to prayer, her imaginative husband Josh for his contributions to the program, and the Creative Team for going above and beyond! She would like to congratulate the cast, crew and all production teams for their hard work, vision, energy and expertise! When she first started working with this program in 2008, never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d still be putting magic on stage 16 seasons later!  So thankful for this dream-team and our collective journey to imagine, inspire, and create.

Josh Holowicki

Josh’s passion for theater has brought him to the BCPA for his 16th show with the Brighton High School Musical Theater Program. He has over 25 years of lighting and scenic design experience, has designed numerous Audio, Video and Lighting systems globally, and has learned from or worked directly with top lighting designers, including Tony Award winner Ken Billington, Tony Fransen and more. Josh is founder and President of E2i Design, a lighting, audio, and video design firm based here in Brighton. Josh also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Brighton Center for Performing Arts. He would like to thank all of the hard working volunteer parents who have made this show a success; without you we could not pull this off. He would also like to thank the cast and student production team members for their tireless dedication to excellence; it’s never easy but always worth it! Additionally, he would like to thank his fellow Creative Team members for their unbelievable investment of time, talent, and energy to bring something unique and special to the BCPA stage! Lastly, and most importantly, he would like to give a BIG shout out to his wife Michelle whose commitment to this program is unlike anything he has ever seen in professional theater. Cheers to 16 incredible years!

Kristine Stuenkel

Kristine has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Michigan University and has been working in theater for over 15 years as a designer and producer. She has designed costumes/hair & makeup for Brighton High School plays and musicals since 2012. Kristine has also been acting as producer for Brighton Musical since 2021 and co-directs BHS Dramatic Arts (fall play) alongside her dear friend Sonja Marquis. When not working on productions at BHS Kristine lives and enjoys the beach in Siesta Key, Florida with her husband Mark. Special thanks to her creative team friends who have encouraged her when she felt pushed out of her comfort zone. She is extremely thankful for their obvious talents but even more so for their kind and supportive hearts and an environment that fosters not only creativity but growth and challenge. She is also grateful for the gift of mentoring the students who keep her heart full and her mind open. It truly is a gift to see them fly!

Sonja Marquis

Sonja is a professional actor, director, sound designer, and member of Actors’ Equity Association. Credits include: Purple Rose Theatre Company, Tipping Point Theatre, The Dio, Flint Repertory Theatre, Williamston Theatre, Encore Musical Theatre Company, Detroit Public Theatre, Detroit’s Music Hall, and the Geva Theater in Rochester, New York. She has received Best Actress Wilde Awards for her portrayals of Florence Foster Jenkins (Souvenir), Louise (Always Patsy Cline), Rosie (Mamma Mia), and Betty (The Great American Trailer Park Musical).  Other awards include Wilde Award wins for Best Sound Design (Driving Miss Daisy) and Best Theatre for Young Audiences (Charlotte’s Web, Director). In addition to her professional credits, Sonja is a Lecturer with Oakland University’s Department of Theatre and has worked with young artists of all ages as a theater instructor, playwright, mentor, and director. Frozen is her 7th Brighton High School Musical production. She is also grateful to partner with Kristine Stuenkel directing BHS Dramatic Arts productions since 2022. Sonja loves this team, is grateful for the program’s incredible volunteers, and adores these creative, goofy, kind-hearted, amazing students. She thanks them for filling her cup and hopes their high school theater experiences inspire them to continue to create, explore, and support the arts!

Bella Rabold

Bella is a Brighton Musical alumni. With six years of competitive dance and four years of musical theater under her belt, she is elated to have the opportunity to help choreograph this show. Bella was on stage for multiple productions during her high school career, including Newsies and Cinderella. She began working behind the scenes on The Wizard of Oz as assistant choreographer. She worked on the last three Brighton Musical shows: Guys and Dolls, High School Musical, and Anastasia. Bella graduated Eastern Michigan University last spring, earning her Bachelor's in Secondary Education, English Language and Literature, with a minor in Teaching Psychology. Bella began her teaching career last fall at Saline High School. She would like to thank her fellow directors and cast members over the past five years. Her experience in the Brighton Musical Program will forever hold a place in her heart, and watching the students of the program grow has been nothing short of a privilege and honor.