‘Frozen’ Magic and More Despite the Heat at Broadway in Bryant Park Week Two

While New York City was facing the recent blistering heat wave, performers from the now-closed Broadway production of “Frozen” sang about ice palaces and dreams of warm weather during July 18’s Disney on Broadway day at Broadway in Bryant Park.

The second of four free summer lunchtime concerts hosted by LITE FM and iHeartRadio Broadway, Disney on Broadway day brought performers from Broadway’s “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” as well as performers formerly from “Frozen,” which closed in 2020. Despite the heat, the crowd filled up the expansive lawn, bustling with energy.

To get things started, Tshidi Manye (Rafiki) brought a hush over the wide-eyed crowd with the beginning of “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” After what seemed to be a slight tech malfunction messing with the musical accompaniment from the onstage speakers, Manye restarted, and the day’s performance kicked off in earnest.

Then, hosts Paul Bryant and Christine Nagy took the stage to introduce themselves and the hour of performances ahead. They discussed how Disney on Broadway mixes together the classic songs from Disney’s animated movies and new additions which help round out the stories for the stage, and gave two examples of the latter from “Aladdin.”

First, Adi Roy (Aladdin) sang the song “Proud of Your Boy.” This was actually a track that was cut from the original 1994 animated movie, given new life when “Aladdin” debuted on Broadway 10 years ago. Then, Sonya Balsara (Jasmine) sang “These Palace Walls.” In the Broadway show, Balsara’s Jasmine leads the original ballad while accompanied by three of her assistants. For the Broadway in Bryant Park concert, however, Balsara sang it solo.

Following this was the first of three Oscar-winning Best Original Songs that would be performed over the course of the concert — “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” from “The Lion King.” Gilbert Domally (understudy for Simba) and Jackie René (understudy for Nala at Bryant Park), performed the emotional number, while the crowd swayed along to the familiar tune. When the two hugged at the song’s end, it was clear that the embrace was not only between the two characters, but also between the two performers onstage. After, Domally remained onstage, joined by Manye for a rendition of “They Live in You,” a song original to “The Lion King” on Broadway.

The stirring song left emotions running high—a sentiment only added to by Charissa Hogeland (former Elsa understudy on Broadway) performing the second of the three Oscar winners, “Let it Go” from “Frozen.” Throughout the number, between movements mimicking the character’s graceful use of her powers, Hogeland waved and smiled at several children in the crowd. Hogeland embodied the empowerment the song imbues in people, ending in a triumphant pose, one hand raised in the air.

Next was a short interlude where the two hosts interviewed Michael James Scott (the Genie in “Aladdin”) to discuss Disney on Broadway at large, particularly noting how it is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

After, Domally returned to the stage, this time accompanied by fellow “The Lion King” cast members Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa) and Jim Ferris (standby for Timon at Bryant Park). The trio performed the catchy and humorous “Hakuna Matata,” including the song’s various joke-filled interludes. There is a moment in the song when performed on Broadway that sees Timon stop Pumbaa from making a more crass rhyme by telling him, “not in front of the kids.” For Bryant Park, this was changed to “not in front of the lunch crowd in Bryant Park,” much to the audience’s excitement.

Finishing out the lineup of “Frozen” songs, Chad Burris (former Olaf understudy) performed “In Summer.” Of course, the irony surrounding a snowman dreaming of summer onstage outside during a major heat wave did not seem lost on the crowd. And, as often is the case when “In Summer” is performed, a couple of people in the audience could not help yelling the rhyming “Puddle!” when the song describes what Olaf would be in the summertime.

Next was the third of the three Oscar winners, with Roy and Balsara performing “A Whole New World.” With the song usually performed on a magic carpet, flying around the New Amsterdam Theatre, the Bryant Park performance allowed a rarer close look at the performers as they sang the iconic song. After that, Roy and Scott performed the upbeat original-for-Broadway number “Somebody’s Got Your Back,” including the song’s several choreographed moments.

René and Manye then performed the last Broadway original song of the show, singing “Shadowland” from “The Lion King.” As the heat raged on, and the performance neared its end, the energy in the audience did not seem to dip. This carried through Scott’s performance of “Friend Like Me,” complete with some of his choreography from the Broadway production.

Then, to close out the concert, the entire company came together to sing “Circle of Life (reprise),” the iconic finale to “The Lion King.” The performers from “The Lion King” got the song started, before being joined by those from “Frozen” and “Aladdin.” Partway through the song, the group moved forward, forming a horizontal line at the edge of the stage, creating a powerful ending which left the audience cheering.

Broadway in Bryant Park 2024 is staging its final show of the season on Aug. 1. Info on the concert and other events can be found on Bryant Park’s website https://bryantpark.org.