Maine State Music Theater welcomed an audience from 8 to 80 years of age to Arendelle July 16 for the opening of its production of Disney’s “Frozen.” I was among the members of that audience and, initially, an ambivalent one at that.

I should have known with director and choreographer Marc Robin, the energy and dance sequences would be spot on. Dazzling, really.

As the tale begins, the fourth wall is broken as the Hidden Folk make their way to the stage, led by Pabbie (Stephane Duret) and Bulda (Courtney Blakmun-Farnworth). Hmmm. OK, off to an interesting start. Then we’re off to Arendelle and the Royal Family’s castle bordered by an enchanted forest. King Agnarr and Queen Iduna have two daughters, Elsa (Estella Wigg), the eldest, and Anna (Rya Redding). The sisters love and adore each other; can't spend enough time together. One winter evening, while building a snowman they name "Olaf," Elsa accidentally directs her cold magic power in Anna’s direction, hitting her in the head. The Queen calls for Hidden Folk Pabbie and Bulda to come and save her youngest and Elsa, deciding she can no longer trust herself or her magic, isolates herself within the castle and refuses to see Anna. Pabbie saves Anna, but not the memory of her sister’s magic.

Elsa continues to turn her sister away from her door. Not understanding this power she cannot control, nor why she has it, Elsa comes up with a plan: She will cover her hands with gloves. A short time later, their parents are killed aboard a ship in a turbulent storm, having set sail to find a cure for Elsa. Devastated, the girls grieve apart.

As the years pass, Princess Anna (now played by Liz Leclerc) dreams of love and being loved, when who should she meet but Hans of the Southern Isles (Paul Schwensen). Hans knows how to make her feel as though his love is true. He shares how he is in a similar familial situation, and Anna, desperate for connection, and physical and emotional contact, accepts his proposal of marriage.

Anna's song, “For the First Time In Forever,”  is a real charmer. LeClerc’s youthful passion and newfound happiness shine throughout.

In addition to Anna’s suitor, we meet another character, and here I have to send a shoutout to Jonathan Cobrda, who portrays the Duke of Weselton, who brings the quirkiest facial expressions, manner of speaking, and movement to this character, that instantly made me sit up in my seat. Talk about there not being small parts in theater! You'll love his portrayal of the Duke. 

During the Coronation Ball, Queen Elsa (now Marie Eife) reacts incredulously when Anna, and her hours-old fiance ask Elsa to consent to their marriage. She refuses to give it, and really, who could blame her. Anna had known the man for a few hours; anyone can be charming for that long. The Queen announces the festivities are o-v-e-r. In a moment of frustration, to stop her sister from leaving, Anna reaches for her sister’s hand and accidentally removes one of Elsa's gloves. In a fit of anger, Queen Elsa’s power is released resulting in the castle being covered in ice. Elsa flees. Anna decides she must go after her leaving Hans in charge in their absence. The Duke, and others distrustful of magic, decide Elsa must be dealt with, Hans among them.

Anna meets some charming characters on her journey. And I mean charming. First is Kristoff (Coleman Cummings), not royalty, but a young man whose unconventional companion is a reindeer named Sven. Actor Chris Palmieri, in full view of the audience, "rides" in the center of the costume controlling Sven’s movements. The audience went wild with applause as soon as Sven appeared on stage - most of them probably already knew who he was. Cummings' portrayal of the endearing, oh-so-genuine Kristoff hits the mark. And, Palmieri appeared to be enjoying being Sven as much as we did.

When Kristoff sings “Reindeers Are Better Than People,” I couldn’t help thinking after meeting Sven, he might be right! Enter endearing character number two: Olaf the Snowman (Nick Moulton). And, yes, he is the same Olaf young Elsa created one night with Anna. That’s magic for you after you set it free ...

Elsa retreats to the woods to keep everyone safe, including herself, turning the landscape into eternal winter. After traveling up North Mountain, Elsa realizes this is all for the best. By removing herself from others, she can be her true self and not hurt anyone. This scene features one of my favorite songs, "Let It Go." We all should do it, let things go, not go into hiding on a very steep, tall mountain! 

The set is divine, all icy blues, silver and white, and everchanging as she believes more and more in the words she is singing. Elsa begins the song in an icy tower, and then after desending, she throws off her royal garb to reveal a white and silver gown (more applause) to stunning special effects. Eife’s strong voice conveys the sense of relief and freedom she now feels from her decision to be true to herself, accepting and loving who she is, standing in her own power (and I don't mean that freaky freezing kind).

And as she sings, it begins to snow on the stage and, soon after, the audience. By the end of the song, the snowfall is a bit heavier over the audience. And that was pure magic, I can tell you!  I turned to look behind me, and around the theater, to find everyone smiling, or laughing, but everyone, everyone was experincing the magic that is theater, and just the sort we expect from Disney and MSMT. 

Anna and company make it up North Mountain, but the reunion of the sisters ends badly; unintentionally, desperate for Anna to leave her alone, Elsa shoots ice into her younger sister's heart. Kristoff, Sven and Olaf leave with Anna to find help from the Hidden Folk as she begins to fade. In attempting to heal her, Pabbie announces the only cure is true love. We all know the old adage, "true love is hard to find," and, like the characters in this tale, we also know it is always worth it.

For others, like me, who are unfamiliar with this Disney piece, suffice it to say that scene after scene, song after song, and dance after dance, MSMT's company of actors, special effects and lighting people, costumers, scenery, the whole magical shebang, deliver top-notch shows. And this one? This one will melt your heart; I know, because it happened to me.

Performaces of “Frozen” continue through Aug. 1 at Pickard Theater in Brunswick. For tickets, contact the box office at 207-725-8769 and at https://msmt.org/