APPLETON, Wis.— For the first time in forever, Disney’s Broadway musical, “Frozen,” is coming to Wisconsin.
The iconic Disney princess story follows two sisters, one with magical powers, as they embark on a quest to save their kingdom.
The state’s premiere is also bringing home a Wisconsin native. Tatyana Lubov hails from Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, and earned her BFA in musical theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She’s coming off the national tour of “Cinderella,” where she played the titular role of "Ella."
Lubov is an ensemble member on tour, portraying five characters in the show each night, but also serves as the understudy for the queen.
We caught up with her before the show opens at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
Spectrum News 1: What drew you to "Frozen?"
Lubov: There's some prestige with it being the first national tour... so it's like you have a Broadway production, and then the next tier of prestige would be the first national tour. You're wanting it for the rest of the country to see [the show]. That's a pretty big deal for theatrical performers. And I was working like three jobs in New York and loved the idea of going on tour and working one job.
Spectrum News 1: Let's talk about how you got your start performing in Wisconsin.
Lubov: I was born in Madison raised in Cottage Grove. So I went to the Magnolia Grove School District where my mom is a choir teacher at the high school. And I graduated and then stayed in Wisconsin and went to the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point for my BFA in musical theater. So I have very strong Wisconsin roots for sure.
My dad also is a composer, arranger and a musical director. He's the producer of this group called Kids from Wisconsin, so [I have] very, very musical parents... I have an older and younger [brother]; my older one is a lighting designer for shows and a musician himself. And then my younger brother just graduated from the same college as me, majoring in theater. So I always joke around in interviews that if I were a dentist, it would be weird, like, that would be abnormal for my family. So [I had a] very, very musical upbringing.
Spectrum News 1: What other performance opportunities were you involved in as a kid?
Lubov: I was in musicals growing up, most of them were directed by my parents. They would always joke that they would never get a babysitter, they would just throw their kids into the shows. And then I was also in show choir, which was really awesome, throughout high school; that was probably my favorite performing opportunity. And then I was also in the Kids from Wisconsin, which my dad is now the producer of. He wasn't while I was in it, but just recently, they handed down the title of producer to him which is really, really cool.
Spectrum News 1: The movie, "Frozen," is iconic and a lot of people have seen it multiple times. What's something about the show you think will surprise even the most devoted "Frozen" fan?
Lubov: I think the "Let it Go" number always takes people by surprise, even though they know what to expect with the song, and have seen the iconic song from the movie... The stage theatrics that happened during that number are really mind blowing. And her dress transformation happening on stage, happening in like a split second, always takes people by surprise.
Spectrum News 1: What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
Lubov: The strength of sisterly love or even loving yourself over having to fall in love with the prince. [A princess does not have to] fall in love with a prince... I love that messgae. "Frozen," in the movie in general, broke boundaries. I think it's a really strong, great messgae for kids.
“Frozen” runs at Fox Cities PAC from May 17 to 29. Get more information, here.
"Frozen" will return to Wisconsin in 2023 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.