Elsa is one of the main characters in the hit Broadway musical Frozen, which is currently touring North America. She is the newly crowned queen of the fictional kingdom of Arendelle who possesses magical ice powers. In the National Tour of Frozen, Elsa is portrayed by Caroline Bowman.
Who plays Elsa in the Frozen musical tour?
Caroline Bowman plays the role of Elsa in the National Tour of Frozen the Musical. Bowman is an American stage actress known for her powerful singing voice and ability to portray complex, nuanced characters. She made her Broadway debut as Elphaba in Wicked and has also appeared in Evita, Kinky Boots, and Hello, Dolly! Bowman originated the role of Elsa in the Broadway production of Frozen in 2018 and was selected to launch the national tour in 2019 due to her standout performance and connection with the beloved Frozen heroine.
What is Caroline Bowman’s background?
Caroline Bowman was born in Wisconsin and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She fell in love with musical theater at a young age and spent her childhood performing with local theater groups and school productions. She attended the University of Michigan for college, where she studied musical theater and voice and graduated with honors.
After college, Bowman began her professional theater career by touring nationally with Grease as Sandy and landing a stint as a singer on a Disney Cruise Line. Her big break came in 2010 when she was cast as a swing in the original Broadway production of Wicked. She went on to play Elphaba full-time for over a year, garnering critical praise for her vocal range and acting abilities. This launched her Broadway career, leading to starring roles in Evita, Kinky Boots, and Hello, Dolly! before she originated the coveted part of Elsa in 2018.
How did she get the part of Elsa?
When Frozen was preparing to launch on Broadway in 2018, the producers held an exhaustive search to find just the right actress to bring Elsa to life on stage. As an established Broadway veteran with a following among theater fans, Bowman was invited to audition. She wowed the creative team with her flawless vocal technique, natural stage charisma, and ability to find depth and nuance in Elsa’s complex emotions. Out of hundreds of hopefuls, Caroline Bowman landed the career-defining role.
Bowman’s similarities to Elsa also likely contributed to her obtaining the part. Like the character, Bowman has struggled with anxiety and fear over how she is perceived. She brings an authenticity and gentleness to Elsa that resonated with Frozen’s film and Broadway creators. Her expansive vocal range allows her to master Elsa’s challenging solos as well, making her the perfect fit all around.
What has Bowman said about playing Elsa?
Caroline Bowman has regularly expressed how grateful and honored she feels to bring Elsa to life in the stage adaptation of Frozen. She calls Elsa “one of the most iconic animated characters in the last 20 years” and admits she sobbed when she learned she had landed the role. Bowman identifies deeply with Elsa’s struggles and desire to be herself without fear of judgment.
In interviews, Bowman has stated: “The most important part about Elsa is that her power is not about what she can do, but who she is.” She works to emphasize Elsa’s humanity and complexity in her portrayal. The role also holds personal significance for Bowman, as letting go of anxieties allowed her to find her own voice and power, paralleling Elsa’s journey. Overall, Bowman feels eternally grateful to give voice to such a groundbreaking Disney princess.
How has Bowman made the role her own?
While staying true to the beloved essence of Elsa from the film, Caroline Bowman has also found ways to make the role uniquely hers. She brings more maturity and restraint to her performance to reflect Elsa’s growth into a queen. Her body language and mannerisms evoke a sense of gravity and wisdom that builds on the transition Elsa undergoes in the story.
Vocally, Bowman delivers stunning variations on Elsa’s iconic solos like “Let It Go” to showcase her technical skill while breathing new life into the songs. She also unearths pain and desperation in Elsa’s darker moments in a way specifically crafted for the stage. Fans praise Bowman for perfectly balancing the spirit of Elsa from the film with her own original interpretation designed to draw in live audiences.
What has response been to her portrayal?
Response to Caroline Bowman’s portrayal of Elsa has been overwhelmingly positive from critics and fans alike. Reviews praise her crystalline voice, multifaceted acting ability, and magnetic stage presence. Here are just a few examples of what critics have said about her Elsa:
- “Caroline Bowman is transcendent as Elsa. She masters every facet of the beloved queen with a soaring voice and complex emotional life. Broadway has found its perfect Elsa.” – Hollywood Reporter
- “Bowman’s Elsa is perfection – her voice shimmers with icy beauty and penetrates right to your soul.” – Entertainment Weekly
- “With breathtaking vocals and captivating fragility, Caroline Bowman’s Elsa is even more inspiring and nuanced than her animated counterpart.” – Variety
Fans are equally effusive in their praise of Bowman’s Elsa. They say she provides a stirring reminder of Elsa’s impact as a character and role model. Little girls dressed as Elsa wait at stage doors to meet Bowman and express their appreciation. Her graceful manner and genuine warmth with fans reflect why she was destined to play this Disney icon.
What is Caroline Bowman’s legacy as Elsa?
As the sole actress to originate and launch the Broadway and National Tour productions of Frozen, Caroline Bowman’s legacy as Elsa is secure. She has brought unprecedented depth, vulnerability, and splendor to the fan favorite queen. Through her portrayal, Bowman demonstrates and reinforces Elsa’s status as a groundbreaking Disney princess and fictional character.
Beyond Frozen, Bowman’s success in the role of Elsa solidifies her status as one of the most talented leading ladies on Broadway today. She does justice to the complexities of Elsa while showcasing breathtaking vocals and captivating stage magic. For years to come, Caroline Bowman will be remembered first and foremost for her definitive theatrical portrayal of Queen Elsa of Arendelle.
Conclusion
Caroline Bowman is the accomplished yet down-to-earth Broadway star bringing Elsa to life each night on the National Tour of Disney’s Frozen. With an understanding of Elsa’s struggles and a soaring vocal instrument, Bowman was destined to put her stamp on this beloved icy queen. She honors the spirit of Elsa from the film while making the character her own each night on stage. Bowman’s heartfelt portrayal of Elsa reminds theatergoers of the princess’ cultural impact and timeless appeal. Above all, she breathes new magic into the Frozen musical through her legendary performance as Elsa.