Brrr! It’s soon to be wintertime- but seeing Frosty the Snowman, you’ll find yourself toasty warm inside. That’s because this delightful holiday show has a bundle of energy at its core: talented actor/dancer Dallas Tolentino plays Frosty- and a more lovable and antic rapscallion has yet to be seen.
If your kids think winter is all about staying inside, playing video games and drinking hot cocoa, then this is the show to take them to. It’s really all about enjoying the season at hand, and it’s a subtle lesson woven into a thoroughly enjoyable show. You’ll see snowmen (and snow angels of course), but also some rather fabulous ice skating (well, rollerblading as ice skating, but who’s quibbling?) and a cast that has all the energy of a new puppy.
It’s all the more remarkable because so much of it is just action- as far as plot goes, it’s a thin one, based on the original song written by Walter ‘Jack’ Rollins and Steve Nelson, and made famous by Gene Autry’s 1950 recording. And you already know the story. Kids find a magic hat, make a snowman, put the hat on the showman and pouf! He comes alive, singing and dancing til the sun melts him. (Don’t worry, it’s not a tragic ending- youngsters are assured that Frosty will return.)
A lot is made out of a little, with plenty of wordless action- this is a great show for the younger set. [ezcol_1third]
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Frosty the Snowman
closes December 31, 2017
Details and tickets
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And speaking of sets, there’s a great deal to see visually- set designer Joseph Musumeki has built a whole town, complete with narrow houses boasting tiny opening doors and windows, a grand central courtyard with a tall lamppost, and there’s even a miniature train running. Snow falls, snowballs get tossed, and sleds are in abundance. As an added twist, the famous Art Deco Glen Echo entrance is even recreated in miniature, a nice tongue-in-cheek touch.
There’s not much by way of plot- like I said, it’s based on a five minute holiday song- but there is a good deal of laughter, particularly when Matthew Aldwin McGee, as Officer Bump, tries to find the elusive fellow who’s making everything in the town all topsy turvy. McGee does a nice turn as inept, nearsighted Officer Bump, who is clearly a Keystone Cop straight out of silent films; his bumbling is a nice counterpoint to Tolentino’s nimble Frosty. Who knew Frosty was so acrobatic? And the fine choreography by Michael J. Bobbit is inventive as can be- the clever skating ballet will make even the grownups want to hit the ice.
Lastly, this show is all the more remarkable for something it’s not. For those adults who wish to share a winter’s entertainment with their children that isn’t full to the brim about Christmas, Santa, Scrooge or Nutcrackers, Adventure Theatre MTC offers this boisterous, joyous show.
Winter is coming. Let’s enjoy it.
Intended for all audiences.
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Frosty the Snowman . Director: Jason Schlafstein . Cast: Dallas Tolentino as Frosty; Matthew Aldwin McGee as Officer Bump; Ensemble: Hasani Allen, Farrell Parker, Jordan Lee, Taylor Witt, Julia Klavans, Understudies: AJ Whittenburger, Jordan Moral, Sally Horton . Set Designer: Joseph Musumeki . Music Director: Wayne Chadwick . Lighting Desiner: Brian Allard . Costume design: Sydney Moore . Fight Choreogrpaher: Jon Rubin . Choreographer: Wayne Chadwick . Stage manager: Brittany Truske . Puppet & Props Designer: Dre Moore . Produced by Adventure Theatre MTC . Reviewed by Jill Kyle-Keith.
