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This winter, Regina’s Globe Theatre is recreating the magic of a worldwide phenomenon.
The theatre is running Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical for the next six weeks.
When Cameron Carver was first asked to choreograph the musical, he couldn’t say no.
Originally from London, Ont., he leapt at the opportunity to work with the Globe Theatre, calling it one of the most “exciting regional theatres in the country.”
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Throughout the rehearsal process, Carver said the crew has been wrestling with how to best portray the hit animated movie on stage with live actors.
“In the original production, they used a lot of video design, they used a lot of stage tricks and we’ve gone back to using conventions of the theatre,” Carver said.
“We’re using the ensemble so we’re kind of creating this very movement-led world that is helping to tell the story of the magic of Elsa and Arendelle.”
A chandelier made of icicles shines brightly in the middle of the stage. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
Carver said almost all the songs from the film will be included, but the production will stretch the story out a bit more to spend more time with the characters.
Musical director Evan Watts Smith called bringing the music to life a “big task.”
“It’s bringing the music to life, and as we all know from growing up, bringing Disney music to life is easy and difficult,” he said. “Easy because the music has so much life in it, difficult because there’s so much of it.”
Watts Smith said he works closely with the choreography and sound design team to execute the collective vision.
“It’s all encompassing, it takes all hands,” he said.
David Michael Juma has been in theatre since he was in kindergarten. The Regina-based actor spent many years attending shows at the Globe, and will now get to make his debut there as Olaf, the fan-favourite anthropomorphic snowman.
For Michael Juma, the role comes as a natural fit.
“It’s amazing. He’s all heart. He’s all laughs, which is really how I see myself,” he said.
“To bring that so honestly to a production is amazing. I get all the kids oohing and aahing when I come out, I get all the adults laughing with my jokes. It’s fantastic.”
Michael Juma also played Olaf in a production in Winnipeg in the summer of 2025. He said he tries to strike a balance between emulating Josh Gad’s performance and adding a bit of his own personal flair to the role.
Disney’s Frozen – The Broadway Musical will play at the Globe Theatre until March 8.
Jade McLeod as Elsa. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
