Princesses, Snowmen, and a Full Pit Orchestra: ‘Frozen’ Lands in Bar Harbor. Historic Criterion Theatre Hosts ACT Musical for First Time in Years.
arts, news

Princesses, Snowmen, and a Full Pit Orchestra: ‘Frozen’ Lands in Bar Harbor.

Historic Criterion Theatre Hosts ACT Musical for First Time in Years.

Carrie Jones

Apr 16, 2026

A scene from a theatrical performance featuring two young girls in traditional costumes interacting on stage, with an adult man and woman observing them.
Promotional graphic for the Bar Harbor Music Festival celebrating its 60th year, featuring a black and white photo of a man with curly hair and text detailing the festival's 2026 season.

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Bar Harbor Music Festival.

BAR HARBOR—A cluster of people stand on the Criterion Theatre stage, late Monday afternoon, pondering artificial holiday trees that will soon be a forest.

A cluster of dancers and students are told to go try on costumes that will soon transform them into princesses.

There is a chatter of noises and greetings as everyone waits for the rehearsal of the musical to happen.

It’s not just any rehearsal though. It’s the tech rehearsal.

And it’s not just any musical, it’s Frozen, a splendiferous Disney hit that features themes of forgiveness, sisterly love, and acceptance about the beautiful, cold, magical being you are—even when you don’t quite fit in.

As Showscroll explains, “At its core, Frozen tells the story of two sisters, Elsa and Anna, and their journey of love and self-acceptance against a backdrop of stunning icy landscapes. This film skillfully blends humor, heart, and unforgettable music to create an experience that keeps viewers engaged long after the credits roll. What sets Frozen apart is its ability to touch on themes of empowerment, the complexities of familial relationships, and the importance of being true to oneself.”

The sisters face ice magic.

They face external threats.

They face internal threats, too. It’s not always easy to be okay with who you are and where you are and your responsibilities.

Children performing in a school play, with one girl singing passionately and another girl in a knitted vest looking on.
Two young girls dressed in traditional costumes, with flower crowns, performing joyfully on stage.
Two young girls performing on stage, one in a green dress and the other in a blue dress, with a focused expression on the girl in green as she holds the hand of the girl in blue.
A young woman wearing glasses and a plaid shirt smiles widely while raising her arm and holding a communication device.

Directors Kate Young and Molly Dority are the magical duo in charge of bringing the musical to life along with Musical Director Mary de Koning. Breanna Dorman has choreographed the musical and Ed Michaud will conduct the orchestra.

What makes all of this even more special is that this weekend, Frozen, will be at the Criterion Theatre, thanks to Acadia Community Theater (ACT) renting out the 1932 art deco theater for its production. That hasn’t happened—the Criterion hasn’t hosted an ACT production—in a really long time.

However, with the new ownership of Allison and Steve Sullens and and a new Executive Director Courtney Sale, now is the time.

“The Criterion Theatre serves the community as a beacon of the arts on MDI and the surrounding area,” its website reads.

What is more beacon-worthy than theater, specifically a musical that features the talents of island adults and children?

A group of children performing on stage, with one girl in a blue floral dress and a flower crown dancing energetically.
A young girl in a green dress smiles while performing on stage, accompanied by a man in a formal military-style outfit, with other children in the background.
A musician seated in an empty theater, playing a guitar while facing the stage being prepared for a performance.
A young girl wearing a blue dress and flower crown, performing on stage with several other performers in the background.

At the rehearsal Monday, one voice lifts above the others as people wait for seats to be taken out of the theater so that the orchestra pit can have a place to play. They don’t quite fit on the stage with the set and the performers.

“We’re not trying to match. It’s the stuff from his reindeer boy bag. Do you think a reindeer boy is trying to match?” the woman’s voice sings.

Another women takes a mirror and a can of gold spray paint, heading outside in the drizzle.

A man comes off the stage and tells another man that he has earned the honor of being “a drummer who knows how to be quiet,” to not “drown what is going on onstage.”

It is a compliment, but also a telling comment: theater is about all its players supporting each other. That’s just how it’s meant to work.

The tech rehearsal illustrates perfectly that performances are about the performers, yes, but behind them (and above them and sometimes below them) are humans who make it possible. They fix sets and costumes, design lights and sets. They make programs and move items on stage at exactly the right time.

They might not be in the limelight, but they shine that limelight one moment after another after another.

Two young girls perform on stage, one wearing a flower crown and a floral dress, the other in a dark sweater, both expressing enthusiasm while singing.
Two girls in flower crowns perform on stage, smiling at each other during a theatrical production.
A young woman is adjusting her hair with the help of two other women in a backstage setting, surrounded by greenery and stage equipment.
A person with shoulder-length hair, wearing a gray sweater, stands on stage with arms raised triumphantly against a dark backdrop.

Dority does a flamboyant twirl on stage right before helping to move a piece of set. Applause is instantaneous.

“We’re so supportive!” one girl laughs.

“We love you! We love you!” the other shouts, which is amazingly appropriate because Frozen is a show about love—not the romantic kind, but the supportive kind, the kind that lifts you up and embraces you even when things might not be going all that well.

A young girl in a white dress lies on the floor, resting her chin on her hands with a focused expression, in a dimly lit setting.
Two young girls performing on stage, dressed in traditional costumes with playful expressions, during a theater production.
A joyful scene on stage during a performance, featuring a man and a woman interacting with two young girls in traditional costumes, with other children in the background.

Frozen is a show about love and it’s also a show about women. There are only two male roles in the production.

The story follows Princess Anna and Queen Elsa (The adult versions are played by Christina McKinnon and Stephanie Leornardi, younger version by two duos: Aliyah Dorman and Sadie Monahan, and real-life sisters Esther and Pippa de Koning.) who grow up with extremely sheltered lives and large royal expectations in their castle.

They are isolated from the world outside the castle and they start to lose their closeness.

Part of that distance comes from Elsa, who has been trying very hard to hide her magic. Once she becomes queen that magic takes over. It’s no longer hidden and Elsa runs away.

It’s up to Anna to find her and bring her back home and to show her that no matter who she is, she’s loved. A snowman and a reindeer and an ice harvester, Kristoff, help Anna with her quest.

“Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love,” ACT explains.

PERFORMANCES:

A dimly lit orchestral rehearsal scene featuring musicians with illuminated sheet music. A conductor is directing the ensemble, while a cellist is playing, focusing on their music.
A young girl with a floral dress and a headband of yellow flowers singing on stage, surrounded by other performers.

Friday, April 17, 7 p.m., Pippa and Esther de Koning;

Saturday, April 18, 7 p.m., Sadie Monahan and Aliyah Dorman;

Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m., Pippa and Esther de Koning;

Friday, April 24, 7 p.m., Sadie Monahan and Aliyah Dorman;

Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. Pippa and Esther de Koning;

Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m. Sadie Monahan and Aliyah Dorman.

For tickets, go to act.ludus.com/index.php.

LINKS TO LEARN MORE

A dimly lit orchestral rehearsal scene with musicians in the background and a cellist in the foreground holding their instrument. Sheet music is illuminated in front of the musicians.
A woman in a blue dress with a corset-style back is getting dressed in front of a mirror, while another woman assists her by adjusting the dress.

The Criterion

Acadia Community Theater

FULL CAST AND CREW

A woman playing a digital piano in an orchestra setting with musicians in the background focused on their sheet music.

Production Team:

Directors: Kate Young & Molly Dority

Producer: Matthew Hochman

Vocal Director: Mary de Koning

Stage Manager: Megan Ball

Assistant Stage Manager: Chirp Corrin

​

Cast:​

A group of children and young adults performing on stage, wearing costumes that reflect a thematic play, with a backdrop of brick walls and a decorated set.

PRINCESS ANNA … Christina MacKinnon

QUEEN ELSA … Stephanie Leonardi

KRISTOFF … Ash Cray

PRINCE HANS … Nathaniel Dorman

SVEN … Ayla Wren

OLAF … Lina Bodge

YOUNG PRINCESS ANNA … Esther de Koning, Aliyah Dorman

YOUNG PRINCESS ELSA … Pippa de Koning, Sadie Monahan

QUEEN IDUNA … Mary de Koning

KING AGNARR … Beau Goss

BISHOP OF ARRENDELLE … Melissa Burkart

DUKE WESELTON … Bethany Van Gorder

DUKE WESELTON’S LACKEYS … Judith Cullen, Abby Damon

PALACE GUARDS … Jonah McLean, Raine Walton

PALACE STAFF … Vivian Axtell, Lucia Dilena, Gianna Goss, Ashley McLean, Nayeli Monahan, Ayla Wren

PABBIE … Julia Axtell

BULDA … Ashley McLean

HIDDENFOLK ENSEMBLE … Violet Axtell, Vivian Axtell, Melissa Burkart, Sophia Burkart, Esther de Koning, Pippa de Koning, Filippa Dilena, Lucia Dilena, Aliyah Dorman, Aubrey Dunbar, Gianna Goss, Sienna Laurendeau, Aisha Marcial, Jonah McLean, Lily Sanders, Maisie Savage, Raven Soctomah, Raine Walton

HANS’S VOLUNTEERS ENSEMBLE

Julia Axtell, Vivian Axtell, Melissa Burkart, Judith Cullen, Abby Damon, Lucia Dilena, Aliyah Dorman, Gianna Goss, Aisha Marcial, Ashley McLean, Jonah McLean, Nayeli Monahan, Lily Sanders, Clover Sandin, Scarlet Sandin, Raven Soctomah, Raine Walton

OAKEN … Adam McLean

OAKEN’S FAMILY & FRIENDS ENSEMBLE … Vivian Axtell, Judith Cullen, Abby Damon, Filippa Dilena, Lucia Dilena, Gianna Goss, Ashley McLean, Jonah McLean, Nayeli Monahan, Sadie Monahan, Lily Sanders, Clover Sandin, Scarlet Sandin, Doug Van Gorder, Raine Walton

OLAF’S DANCERS

Vivian Axtell, Lucia Dilena, Gianna Goss, Nayeli Monahan

STATUE OF ARMOR … Vivian Axtell

TOWNSPEOPLE ENSEMBLE

Julia Axtell, Violet Axtell, Vivian Axtell, Melissa Burkart, Sophia Burkart, Judith Cullen, Abby Damon, Esther de Koning, Pippa de Koning, Filippa Dilena, Lucia Dilena, Aliyah Dorman, Aubrey Dunbar, Gianna Goss, Sienna Laurendeau, Aisha Marcial, Ashley McLean, Jonah McLean, Nayeli Monahan, Sadie Monahan, Lily Sanders, Clover Sandin, Scarlet Sandin, Maisie Savage, Raven Soctomah, Raine Walton

CREW​

A man on a raised platform handing a piece of wood to a woman below, while another woman stands nearby, with a small Christmas tree in the background.

Vocal Section Leaders: Megan Ball, Ash Cray, Chrissy MacKinnon, Nayeli Monahan, Stephanie Leonardi, Mary de Koning

Choreography: Breanna Dorman, Isabella Wellman Webster

Additional Choreography: Megan Ball, Chirp Corin, Molly Dority, Kate Young

Lighting Design: Braelyn Bird, Jackson De Costa

Video & Projection Design: Tobias McLean

Props Design: Abby Damon

Costume Design: Connie Stanley

Scenic Design: Megan Ball, Chirp Corrin, Dave Dilena, Molly Dority, Ed Stanley, Kate Young

Scenic Crew: Megan Ball, Dave Dilena, Ed Stanley, Kate Young

Marketing Team: Bev Guay, Matt Hochman, Will Krason, Patti Savoie, Megan Ball, Kate Young

Graphic Design & Program Layout: Kate Young, Jacob Sanner​

​​

Tickets available HERE

Two women styling the hair of a young girl in preparation for a performance. One woman is braiding hair, while the other is arranging a long wig on the girl, who is wearing a costume.
A group of actors, including children and adults, bowing on stage after a performance, with a wooden set in the background.

Photos: Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar/Bar Harbor Story.

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