When Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical arrives at the Civic Theatre this October, audiences will meet a Princess Anna full of warmth, humour and boundless optimism, brought to life by award-winning performer Felicity Beale.
Returning to The Very Popular Theatre Company after her acclaimed performance as Mary Poppins in 2024, which earned her the CONDA Award for Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role, Felicity steps into another iconic Disney role she has dreamed of playing for years.
A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Felicity has built an impressive career across Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast, with leading roles including Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Maggie in A Chorus Line and appearances in Les Misérables.
But Anna has always held a special place in her heart.
“I remember watching Frozen when it first came out and completely falling in love with it,” she says. “My mum took me to see the stage musical in Sydney in 2021 and Anna was the character that resonated with me the most. She’s been on my list of dream roles ever since.”
So when she received the call offering her the role, it was nothing short of a dream come true.
“I loved the show so much that I said I’d be happy to play any role. To then be offered my number one choice was incredibly exciting.”
For Felicity, Anna’s unwavering optimism is what makes the character so special.
“Anna has such a joyful energy. She has so much love to give and offers it to everyone she meets. She’s strong, feisty and her intentions are always pure.”
While audiences know Anna from the animated film, Felicity believes the stage musical reveals a much deeper emotional journey.
“The musical explores what it was like for Anna to be isolated from Elsa for so long and how that shaped the way she saw herself. It makes the sisters’ journey back to each other even more rewarding.”
At its heart, Frozen is a story about family rather than fairy-tale romance, something Felicity believes is one of the reasons it continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
“The love between Elsa and Anna is what ultimately saves the day. It’s such an important reminder that the deep, non-romantic relationships in our lives can be just as powerful.”
Among the many magical moments in the production, she’s especially looking forward to audiences experiencing the opening number.
“The opening music of ‘Vuelie’ always gives me chills. It fills the theatre with this incredible atmosphere and perfectly sets the tone for everything that follows.”
Having previously enchanted audiences as Mary Poppins, Felicity feels blessed to be returning to the Civic Theatre for another Disney production.
“I love playing Disney characters. They’re pure escapism for both the performers and the audience. The stories are uplifting, joyful and full of hope. Bringing these iconic characters to life while finding the balance between fantasy and genuine human emotion is an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Felicity hopes Frozen inspires audiences of every generation.
“I really hope there’ll be children in the audience seeing a musical for the very first time. If this show sparks a lifelong love of theatre for even one person, that would be incredibly special.”
And if she had one sentence to convince someone to book a ticket?
“Frozen is a must-see musical for all ages, and you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face!”