When a film has universally adored characters and songs that have been indelibly etched in countless minds, adapting it for another medium can seem like a nigh impossible task. 

But fans of Frozen can rest easy, knowing that everything they have come to love about the 2013 animated film is in the good hands of the team that will be bringing its musical adaptation to Singapore next February.

At the Regional Media Launch of Disney's Frozen The Hit Broadway Musical at Marina Bay Sands on 15 November, Australian musical theatre actors Jemma Rix and Matt Lee teased what can be expected from the production by way of special performances of three of its songs. 

As Rix effortlessly belted out 'Let It Go' and 'Monster' (an original song created for the musical) and Lee cheerfully sang and danced to 'In Summer', it became clear why they were selected for the roles of Elsa and Olaf respectively. 

For Rix, who is also known for playing Elphaba in Wicked, being cast as Elsa was a dream come true and the responsibility of bringing the iconic character to life is one that she continues to take very seriously. 

"I got teary. I think you know when you want something really bad and it's something that not a lot of people get the opportunity to play, these characters, you feel very lucky and very special that you were the chosen one. So that feeling can feel quite overwhelming, with gratitude. Also, a little bit of fear because you do get scared that you really want to live up to everyone's expectations to be the best that, you know, they're hoping for. So there's a lot of emotion wrapped in it," recounted the 37-year-old.

Credit: Base Entertainment Asia

While spending time in the shoes of Elsa, particularly when immersing herself in the song 'Monster', Rix found herself identifying with the character's kindness and compassion.

She said: "All of my songs are very, very deep and reflective and she's talking about fear a lot. You know, like everybody, we're fearful creatures. We're scared of doing things that are new or we question if we're doing the right thing. So I'm very connected with her because that's where she is in her life and I'm a good person deep down, so I always want to do the right thing."

Her co-star, Lee, recalled landing the role of Olaf in a more unorthodox fashion: "When I originally auditioned for Frozen, I actually went in for [the role of] Prince Hans. So I went into the room and I was reading all the material and the director said to me, 'Now we have to do the scene where Hans turns a little bit evil.' I did it and he said, 'I don't believe you.' He [then said], 'How do you feel about Olaf?' And I was like, 'Sure.'"

Credit: Base Entertainment Asia

When they see him in action on stage next year, audiences in Singapore will be relieved that he was cast as the fan-favourite anthropomorphic snowman and not the villainous Prince of the Southern Isles. 

Due to how similar he and Olaf are, Lee — who has 25 years of stage and screen experience under his belt — feels that getting into character is always a natural process. 

"I like to think that I’ve got a bit of Olaf in me in terms of seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses and [that] the cup is half full and just bringing the joy. I think we need more joy in the world. I like to think that that’s something in my personality as well, that’s why I think it’s so easy for me to get out there and play this character. I just adore him," he explained. 

"It's been wonderful to watch these performers grow over the last two years into these roles. It's absolutely beautiful. Jemma is Elsa, Matt is Olaf. It's so gorgeous to see. And they tell the story so beautifully in that way," said the musical's Resident Director, Benjamin Osborne, who was also in attendance at the Regional Media Launch. 

Credit: Base Entertainment Asia

For those who are already familiar with the story of Frozen, the new interpretations that the musical's cast members bring to the film's beloved characters should provide a big enough incentive to revisit Arendelle. 

Lee, who learnt to manipulate an Olaf puppet for the musical, shared: "No one's coming to see a performance of someone imitating Josh Gad being Olaf. And it's the same with Elsa — not being Idina Menzel being Elsa. So I think what we bring to it is that we look at the character on a page and say, 'Right, who is this character? And how can I bring them to life [while] staying within the parameters of how the film has been depicted and what people are coming to expect.'"

Credit: Lisa Tomasetti

Rix shared Lee's sentiments and said that it was never the goal for her to "fit into a certain mould": "I think that every Elsa is different and unique with whatever they've been blessed with vocally or just who they are as a person with how it comes out. So you've got a deep basis of direction of who Elsa is and how she's feeling in certain scenes. But how that flourishes and comes out is something unique because we are all unique."

"You can really be very truthful when you're not trying to replicate and the audiences connect with truth. Otherwise, there's sort of a veil and a disconnect if you're trying to be something," she added.

Credit: Lisa Tomasetti

Also sharing the cast's love for Frozen are the musical adaptation's set and costume designers. Although they won't be seen on stage, their efforts to bring the fictional kingdom of Arendelle to life will be on full display for all to see.

Osborne highlighted the great care that went into creating the production's 440 costumes, particularly Rix's, which is made up of 14,000 crystals and beads: "It is crazy, you know? Jemma's ice dress takes three months to make. A lot of those three months is just [for] beading."

"There are 120 pairs of shoes that are handmade [and] 90 wigs made out of human hair. It is huge. It is really crazy. I mean the set pieces are amazing. We are transported to Arendelle. It is fantastic," he continued.

Credit: Base Entertainment Asia

Osborne also urged audiences to pay close attention to Frozen's sets while enjoying its performances: "There's also a lot of little like hidden Mickeys and easter eggs throughout the city, especially on the proscenium. So when you come and see that, have a look. All of the Disney musicals [are] maybe depicted within [it]. It takes a very close eye to see them but they're really fabulous. Jemma, every night without fail, freezes over this proscenium."

Credit: Lisa Tomasetti

When it lands on Singapore's shores, Frozen will, without a doubt, delight the little ones. But grown-ups in attendance will not have to worry about being left out. 

"The humour of this show is so adult. People are thinking that it's a kid show, [but] it's really not. It's fantastic. It is so funny. I think adults will find something really gorgeous about it. You know, people take away different things from it. Kids will always take away what they do from it. But adults are quite surprised when they see it, shared Osborne.

Disney's Frozen The Hit Broadway Musical will premiere in Singapore on 5 February 2023 and run until 5 March 2023. Tickets are now available via SISTIC.