MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – A Tomahawk native is among the cast of a production of a renowned Broadway musical.
Amelia Barr is set to make her Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) debut as Pabbie in Disney’s Frozen this month. Barr also has an Ensemble role.
Opening night of the production is slated for Saturday, April 19 on CTC’s UnitedHealth Group Stage in Minneapolis, Minn. The production will run through Sunday, June 15.
Disney’s Frozen, nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, features music and lyrics by Academy Award winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and a book by Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lee.
CTC’s production of the musical will be directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, with music direction by Denise Prosek and choreography by Rush Benson.
Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, Disney’s Frozen was originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions, a release from CTC said.
“Sing along with Elsa, Anna and the whole cast as they encounter magic that’s out of control, weather that’s fearsome and Olaf, a snowman who melts your heart,” CTC stated. “Will Elsa be able to restore the balance between summer and winter? Will she and Anna ever be close again? Settle in for some hygge, a little bit of joiking and a whole lot of letting go.”
Barr, who grew up in Tomahawk and now lives in New York City, said she and her family have many fond memories of the area, noting that her dad, Jim Barr, was a chiropractor in town.
Barr said she first took an interest in acting in high school.
“A lot of my inspiration came from my siblings,” she explained. “We grew up making up little skits and singing. It was so fun.”
After graduating from college, Barr worked on a cruise ship for several years, performing in musicals on board. Along with roles in several productions, including Footloose! The Musical, Rock of Ages and Fun Home, Barr has also worked on several commercials and in film and television.
To land her role in Disney’s Frozen, Barr first auditioned, and then received a callback. After singing, dancing and acting several scenes in the show, she ultimately got the part.
“Lots of rehearsals!” Barr said when asked about her experience in preparing for the production.
“It’s my full time job,” she continued. “Each day we work on different material in the show – songs, dances, scenes – and we rehearse most of the day and evening. It is exhausting, and so very rewarding.”
Barr said those attending a production can expect “so much smiling, so much joy, so much heart.”
“If you’ve seen the movie, expect it to be very much like the story in the film, with so many fun additions,” she stated. “We have amazing costumes and special effects, and the actors are stunning. Our director has inspired us all to tell the story with truth and heart.”
Looking forward, after the production’s run ends, Barr plans to return to New York City, where she’ll continue to audition. She has a movie coming out later this year, called Jane’s Not Here, which she said she’s very excited about.
Barr thanked her family, friends and Hudson Artist Agency for their support and said she dedicates her performance to her sister, Maria, who is her real-life Elsa.
Tickets for the all-ages show can be purchased by visiting www.childrenstheatre.org/frozen or calling the CTC Ticket Office at 612-874-0400.
To learn more about CTC’s production of Disney’s Frozen, visit www.childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/frozen/.
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