By Melanie Becker-Donovan, The Roswell Daily Record — There was plenty of laughter, applause and a little bit of Disney magic on Saturday night as Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company (WWOB) brought the world of Arendelle to the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell’s Performing Arts Center with its production of “Frozen — The Broadway Musical.”
From the audience’s enthusiastic applause to the laughter that followed the show’s funnier moments, it was clear that the production was striking the right chord with theatergoers.
One character who particularly captured the audience’s affection was Olaf, the lovable snowman who loves warm hugs and sunshine, portrayed by Rafael Salsedo-Reyes, the choir director at Goddard High School. His performance brought plenty of humor to the production with audience members responding enthusiastically to the character’s appearances.
Salcido-Reyes had originally auditioned hoping to land a role of the villain or the villainous love interest. “I was shocked to get a call back for Olaf and super nervous to portray such a staple Disney character,” he stated.
Although he had only seen the first two “Frozen” films once or twice, Salcido-Reyes found inspiration in Olaf’s retelling of the other Disney stories, particularly his version of “The Little Mermaid.”
“I really studied the type of cadence he used to try and replicate the voice,” stated Salcido-Reyes.
Rehearsals began in mid-August, giving the cast several months to prepare for the production. For Salcido-Reyes, bringing Olaf to life meant balancing the character’s humor with the innocence and affection that make him so memorable. “I think because Olaf is truly a character made from love,” he stated. “He’s lovable in every way; from the comedy to the dry humor, even his bravery at times, all stems from putting someone else’s needs before his own. I had to really tap into capturing my inner child’s innocence. The raw ability of what love is in the eyes of the innocent is the most pure form of love.”
One of his favorite memories, according to Salcido-Reyes, was the scene in which Olaf gets caught in a storm and is scattered into pieces.
The production offered an enjoyable evening of entertainment, bringing the familiar Disney story to life for residents. The energy between performers and audience members was another highlight, with applause, cheers and laughter throughout the evening, including a final standing ovation.
Community theater is an important part of keeping the arts alive, giving performers an opportunity to share their talents and express themselves while giving audiences a chance to experience live entertainment close to home.
For anyone in Roswell who has not yet seen Way Way Off-Broadway’s production of Disney’s “Frozen — The Broadway Musical,” there is still an opportunity to experience the show this weekend. The production is an entertaining reminder of how fun a night at the theater can be.
Cast members also requested donations to help keep the cost of admission affordable as inflation continues to affect production cost. Every contribution helps support future performances and keeps community theater accessible to local audiences. For more information, visit WWOB’s website.
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