In Lavonia, where rehearsal rooms fill with music several evenings each week, a cast gathers with purpose to prepare Frozen, the Broadway musical adaptation licensed through Music Theatre International, and as the production moves toward its run in Toccoa, it carries with it a sense of occasion shaped by careful planning and a clear commitment to bringing live broadway worthy theatre into Northeast Georgia.
Inside a Lavonia rehearsal space, this cast builds Arendelle from the ground up—scene by scene, step by step—before bringing it to the stage in Toccoa.
(The Cute North Georgian Magazine/ Carly McCurry)
Jennifer Irizarry, director and owner of Pixie Dusted Productions, leads the effort with a steady hand, having begun work on the production months in advance, and she now oversees a process that includes casting, rehearsal coordination, and the management of licensing requirements, all while maintaining a company structure that invites performers to return for future productions and community events through ongoing auditions and participation.
Within that structure, the cast reflects the region itself, drawing from both Northeast Georgia and the Upstate of South Carolina, and bringing together performers whose paths to the stage differ in form yet align in purpose, whether through formal training or a renewed return to performance after years spent in private sector business.
Grace Majer, who plays Anna, brings graduate-level training in theatre into a role that requires sustained vocal strength and emotional range, and she works within a rehearsal environment that integrates music throughout the production, allowing songs to carry through transitions and shape the pacing of the story in a way that invites both performers and audience into its movement.
Thomas Charles Hooper, cast as Kristoff, approaches the role with a decade of experience in theatre, and he meets the demands of the production with a focus on consistency and endurance, as the scope of the show calls for sustained attention across both physical staging and vocal performance, particularly in a production that marks a significant milestone for the company.
Mario Suarez, who portrays the Duke of Weselton, returns to the stage with a history rooted in classic musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof and Guys and Dolls, and he brings that experience into a role that relies on timing and interaction.
Erica and Everly Burns take the stage together, bringing a mother-daughter presence to Frozen that reflects the heart of this cast: family, community, and a willingness to step into something new.
(The Cute North Georgian Magazine / Carly McCurry)
The cast also includes younger performers who step into the world of theatre with a strong sense of enthusiasm, including the rosy-cheeked Everly Burns, whose angelic appearance enhances her portrayal of Young Anna and who has spent years watching the story she now helps bring to life. She enters the role with prior stage experience and a clear interest in pursuing performance beyond this production, and she has embraced the musical and movement elements that the role requires as part of her ongoing growth.
Her mother, Erica Burns, joins her on stage as a member of the ensemble, having entered theatre for the first time through this production, and her participation reflects a broader spirit within the company, which welcomes individuals and families into the creative process and fosters a sense of shared investment in the work.
(The Cute North Georgian Magazine / Carly McCurry)
Hayli Brewer, assistant director and ensemble performer, returned to theatre after time away and now contributes both on stage and behind the scenes, working within a production that places music at the center of its structure, as performers continue to sing from offstage positions and contribute to the layered sound that defines key moments throughout the show.
The production incorporates design elements that support its scale, including Broadway-style puppetry for characters such as Sven and Olaf, sourced through a national costume provider, and these additions help shape a visual and theatrical experience that aligns with audience expectations while remaining grounded in the resources and collaboration of the region.
Irizarry has set ticket prices with accessibility in mind, and the production includes provisions that allow infants to attend under a designated category, reinforcing the intention to create an experience that welcomes families and invites audiences of all ages to gather together in a shared space.
As opening night approaches in Toccoa, the production stands as the result of sustained rehearsal, coordinated effort, and a cast drawn from across communities that share both proximity and purpose, and when the curtain rises, it will present a familiar story carried by voices from this region, shaped through discipline, and offered as part of a growing presence of live theatre in the foothills of North Georgia.
Saturday, April 25 – Frozen: The Broadway Musical – 1:00 p.m. – The Historic Ritz Theatre – Matinee performance featuring a full-scale regional production with live musical numbers, ensemble staging, and Broadway-inspired elements including puppetry and layered vocals
Saturday, April 25 – Frozen: The Broadway Musical – 6:00 p.m. – The Historic Ritz Theatre – Evening performance with the same cast and production, offering a second opportunity to experience the show in a historic downtown venue
Sunday, April 26 – Frozen: The Broadway Musical – 3:00 p.m. – The Historic Ritz Theatre – Closing performance, expected to draw families and regional audiences for the final showing of the weekend run
