If you have never seen a production of the Columbia Children’s Theatre, now is the perfect time to change that by attending this ingeniously funny and original production loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen classic fairy tale, “The Snow Queen.”

For those who are not familiar with the Columbia Children’s Theatre, it was founded in 2005 to serve a need in the Midlands for professional live theatre for young audiences. This is a theatre company where professional adult actors perform for youth, not theatre by youth actors.  

Jerry Stevenson, the show’s director, also wrote the book and lyrics of the show with additional material provided by Sam LaFrage.

The show, full of rich visuals, high energy and fun for little ones is also outrageously funny for adults, especially anyone who has ever worked in musical theatre. Not to give away the fun, Stevenson has inserted a bundle of references to musical theatre and even local theatre.  The material works very well.

Utilizing the Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center auditorium effectively, the show follows the travels of Gerda on a cold Scandinavian day as she risks everything to save her friend Kai, who has been taken by the evil Snow Queen.

The hour-long performance is fast paced, containing all the strong elements that make great children’s theatre including fun audience participation and many moments of breaking through the fourth wall.  Don’t think this is easy work at all for the performers.  They just make it look easy.

The cast is near perfect.  From the start, talented Jackie Rowe, as a Mean Little Rascal, pulls us into the story with wonderful physicalizations and a strong voice. She is adorable and possesses wonderful skills for this type of theatre. Newcomer Joy Feider is charming as Gerda, especially strong when she lets loose with her Broadway vocal medley of tunes. Willowy William Shuler makes a strong Kai with a nice balance of fun with poignancy.   Sam LaFrage, playing multiple roles, is hilarious, especially as the guard of the Snow Queen. LaFrage thinks brilliantly on his feet, has a very strong stage presence and can make small moments project very large. Veteran actress/singer Toni Moore creates a comically wicked snow queen with a nice grasp of the nuances and a stellar singing voice to boot.  As the Snow Bear, Christopher Riddle possesses a marvelous sense of deadpan that is perfect for the role. His choices are very strong. Lovely Mickey Brantley rounds out the cast, playing multiple roles.

Alex Horton and Dionne Hough create memorable songs, totally appropriate while moving the plot forward effectively. Especially moving is the final ballad performed by Feider and Shuler.

The costumes work, the set works and the production holds together well.  Conceived with a particular tongue in cheek style, it sticks to its mission the entire time.

Columbia is lucky to have the Columbia Children’s Theatre in our city, and how rare these days get to experience original work on our local boards. Stevenson’s writing is exceptional.  He understands the genre and gives his cast a great opportunity to create fun characters, entertain children and adults, and hopefully continue to embrace live theatre audiences for generation to come.

If you have as nearly a good a time watching this show as this cast does performing it, you will become a true Columbia Children’s Theatre fan.  Congratulations to the cast and crew on a truly inspiring production.  If you don’t believe it’s as good as I say it is, go prove me wrong.

"The Snow Queen" runs through December 7. For more information or reservations call 691-4548.