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The Snow Queen
By Hans Christian Andersen
Music & Lyrics by Michael Smith
Puppets & Visual Design by Blair Thomas & Company
Directed by Frank Galati
Choreography by Jim Corti
At Victory Gardens Biograph Theater
2433 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-871-3000, tickets $20 - $45
Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 1 hour, 45 minutes with intermission
Through January 6, 2008
New staging and choreography enhance Michael Smith’s terrific folk operetta
Last year’s world premier of The Snow Queen captured audiences and quickly became one of the most popular shows ever by Victory Gardens Theater. This year Jim Corti has enhanced the production with new movements and dance on Jeff Bauer’s new tri-level set complete with a large rear screen for terrific shadow puppet effects. This improved production has all the elements that made last year’s show a smash hit. I believe this year’s show is tighter and much improved.
When you combine a varied score of sparkling folk songs with amazing visual design and exquisite puppets together with rich vocals, you come up with a sweet refreshing new musical---The Snow Queen. Hans Christian Andersen’s coming of age strange fairy tale is an immortal tale of innocence, love and loss. Children ten and up will like this show.
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Most of the elements of a fine musical are here including a variety of folk styles that include ballads, patter songs, cowboy tunes, blues, marches, waltzes, polkas and Broadway style show tunes. Michael Smith’s lyrics are witty and ironic. They tell the story deftly----actually this is a chamber folk opera since it is sung throughout. The visuals and terrific puppetry from Blair Thomas enhances the storytelling quite nicely. The onstage band (including composer Michael Smith) sounded excellent. Each veteran folk performer moved onto the stage to sing with the three principle actors. The result of this is a fluid mixture of voices, tones and moods that propelled the story and giving the show a large cast feel despite  only three actors.
Cheryl Lynn Bruce, as the storyteller, sang wonderfully as she created and sold the main story elements. Blair Robertson’s (Gerda) vocals exuded charm and warmth. Andrew Keltz (Kai) added innocence in his boyish manner. The puppetry and the back drop visuals were stunning and effective. The addition of the new set and the fine dance to augment the fine puppetry by Nicole Pellegrino, Joey Stone and Lindsey Noel Whiting, The Snow Queen has become a sophisticated musical without losing its child-like charm.
Andersen’s world of fantasy, myth and dreams are nicely presented as Smith’s wickedly funny lyrics and warm songs are a joy to experience. These are the strongest elements of the show. Smith is a lyrical genius who can tell a story, comment on a mood and develop a character smartly through snappy, telling lyrics. He then adds arrangements and tuneful folksy (some hints of light rock) melodies to deliver terrific musical numbers that both move the story along and nicely charm us. Whimsical, witty, warm, scary tunes adorn this dark fairy tale. Songs like “Ravenheart,” “Love Letter On A Fish” and “The Princes and Memory” were memorable. Michael Smith’s score is deliciously compelling. His genius pours forth.
The puppeteers who magnificently manipulated Blair Thomas’ amazing puppets. Barbara Barrow (Michael Smith’s wife), Kat Eggleston, Cathy Norden, Bob Goins, Anthony Sheperdstone and Michael Smith each sounded fine as the onstage band offering harmonies, duets and solos to their musicianship.
This provocative folk opera and fairytale show is quaint and highly original. It is a must for those who love folk music (like me) and it is rich fare for those who crave smart lyrics (ala Sondheim) with their musicals.
This is enchanting theatre. Andersen’s world of magical winter tales that include frozen shards from the Devil, talking animals, wooden soldiers, witches, mysterious spells and lost children come to life in song. The magic of theatre charms us all. Add this fine holiday show to you list.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2007
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