Student casts bring popular musical animated film to stage
More than 180 local students make up the cast of “Frozen JR” presented by ATP Kids at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center on Oct. 19 and 20.
ATP Kids is Alpine Theatre Project’s theatre education program. Students from 22 elementary and middle schools across the Flathead Valley are participating in the productions and are split into two casts for four performances.
Performances take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 20, making it the largest undertaking for the 11-year educational program. Since 2008, almost 2,000 students have participated in the ATP Kids program dedicated to empowering and inspiring students through theatre education.
Disney’s “Frozen” is now the top grossing animated film of all time. It was then adapted for the stage and opened on Broadway with a book by Jennifer Lee and music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. “Frozen JR.” is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film plus five new songs written for the Broadway production.
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, “Frozen JR.” expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood.
No student is ever turned away from the ATP Kids program and this year that resulted in such a large cast.
ATP’s Artistic Director, Betsi Morrison, says the program is able to thrive thanks to its volunteers.
“This is by far the largest turnout we’ve ever seen for the program,” Morrison says. “It’s our legion of dedicated volunteers who make this program possible. Their work allows us to focus on creating the best experience possible for these students.”
The ATP Kids program is the cornerstone of Alpine Theatre Project’s educational programming, which include programs for elementary, middle, and high school students along with professional internships, and a summer Broadway training camp.
This session is being taught by Morrison and professional actors, Luke Walrath and Rebecca Spear with assistance by Jami James.
This session of ATP Kids is sponsored by Kalispell KiDDS, the Foley Family Charitable Foundation, Whitefish Credit Union, Glacier Bank, Measure Law, the Great Fish Community Challenge, & the Vandenburgh Family, with assistance from Freedom Bank, Edward Jones Investments, State Farm Insurance, Weyerhaeuser, and through the annual ATP Kids Raffle.
Tickets for “Frozen JR” are $18 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and can be ordered by calling 862-SHOW (7469) or visiting atpwhitefish.org.