Lately my blog has been like, “The Spohrs Are Multiplying…brought to you by FROZEN!” and I swore that I was done writing anything that had to do with the movie because enough already. So even though Annabel is still as obsessed with the movie as she ever was, I planned on just ignoring that part of our life. Because enough! But then something awesome happened.
For those of you who don’t know, my twin brother Kyle is a senior editor for Vulture, the entertainment arm of New York Magazine. He gets to do all kinds of cool stuff for his job, like movie premieres, film festivals, interviews with amazingly talented entertainers, the whole shebang. Sometimes he’ll call me up and say, “Hey, do you have any questions for Miley Cyrus?” But most of the time he’s super breezy about it all. He’ll tell me about watching Benedict Cumberbatch dance like it’s no big deal, and then ask about my day. Um, the baby pooped on me? You win forever, Breezy Kyle.
During awards season, he is invited to exceedingly cool stuff. Last week he received an invitation to attend a live performance of the original cast of Frozen singing songs from the movie. At first he was like, “I have to bring Annie!” But then we saw that because of the location, all guests had to be over 21. So he asked me if I wanted to go instead, and of course I did.
The event was last night at a small Jazz club in LA that holds about 100 people. I was sooo excited when I arrived because a) the performances (obviously), b) tray passed appetizers (let’s be real), c) I got to wear a nice dress, and d) I was going to see my brother “in action.” Also, it was nice to hang out with my brother. We are basically Anna and Elsa except we’re the same age, different sexes, not royal, and neither of us has magic powers. But I’d step in front of a sword for him! Probably.
I made sure we had a good spot for the performances – I’ve “enjoyed” far too many events staring at the back of someone’s head (Short People Problems). The entire cast was there except Jonathan Groff (Kristoff) who had to bow out due to illness. The sound was great and the accompanying orchestra was even better.
Josh Gad (Olaf) was the emcee and he was hilarious. He introduced Kristen Bell, who spoke about how happy she was to play a Disney Princess that was goofy and odd and basically a normal girl.
She then went on to sing “Do You Want To Build A Snowman,” and not only did she sing the Adult Anna verse, she also performed the little girl voices, which she does not do in the film. She completely killed it – totally unselfconscious, I personally thought she stole the show.
Idina Menzel joined her onstage for “For The First Time In Forever,” and the crowd went a little bonkers. After their song they were very sweet and complimentary toward each other. Awww, on-screen sisters.
Santino Fontana came onstage next to duet with Kristen on “Love Is An Open Door,” and they had very cute in-character banter. I just wanted to put them in my pocket.
Josh Gad came back out to sing “In Summer,” and was hilarious again.
Finally, Idina came on stage to sing “Let It Go.” I think I counted 50 camera phones out – that must be very weird for performers. She was just about done with the first verse when she botched the words, singing “The snow never bothered me anyway.” It became instantly clear she realized her mistake because a few moments later, she missed her cue to start the next verse. She stopped the song and asked the conductor if they could start from the top. The audience was thrilled because that meant we got to hear her sing it again! When she sang the verse correctly the second time (“The cold never bothered me anyway.”), the entire audience cheered (which sounds sarcastic in writing but was not in person). At this point, I’m pretty sure Idina is the only person on Earth who doesn’t know all the words to “Let It Go.”
It was really fun to see the cast perform and enjoy themselves. I got a little misty watching Kristen Bell’s husband tear up whenever she sang (he was a few feet away from us). And I was proud watching my brother do his thing, interviewing and getting scoop. I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes about it (I’ll post a link here when it’s live).
This officially concludes Frozen on this blog. Probably.
Aimee says:
So uber fun and totally awesome!!
Erin says:
So my only question is….did you tell Annie you were going? What was her reaction?
Maris says:
That’s what im wondering too
Heather says:
I didn’t. I told her I was going to a concert with Uncle Kyle and left it at that. We couldn’t figure out a way to tell her what I was doing that wasn’t confusing, plus I didn’t want her to feel left out!
Maggie says:
Uhh…you were a few feet away from Dax Shepard and there wasn’t a restraining order needed?? I would have had a total fan girl (Parenthood) freakout. That’s totally acceptable at 41 yrs of age, yes?
Jana Frerichs says:
I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING! LOL! I was thinking Heather’s being pretty breezy being all “sitting close to Kristen Bell’s husband.” I would have been freaking out!
Heather says:
I had to keep it together or my brother would have KILLED me! But I love him too, and I love Parenthood!
rc says:
Yep, I was wondering that too. I’m officially in love with him even more now that you wrote he teared up. SWOON! lol Sounds like a fantastic evening. Glad you got to enjoy a night out!!
Blair says:
So I am de-lurking to tell you that my 9 year old daughter is probably as obsessed with the movie and the soundtrack as little Annie. I love it when you write about her love of all things Frozen and your duet was amazing, and we have done the same thing. So don’t worry about editing this out because people might be sick of it. Every mom out there goes through the obsessive phases with their kids, and it’s just part of the journey…
StacyinMN says:
Totally jealous that you got to see Idina live!!
Heather says:
Seeing her live was a bucket-list item for me!
Michelle H says:
This is me too! I would have been in heavan. Listening to such a beautiful voice is so relaxing for me!
alimartell says:
My breezy brothers never invite me to anything.
They need some lessons, I think.
Also, I love that she sang the words wrong. Makes me love her even more.
Heather says:
She was the only one that wasn’t singing with sheet music in front of her. You could also tell that, despite her joking about it, she was reaaaaalllly mad at herself for messing up.
Johanna says:
I was wondering about Annie as well. Was she jealous or did she even know you were going?
Jenb says:
I am a mother of two teenage boys and I went to see Frozen because of your blogging about it. And I loved it!!! You can talk about Frozen all you want.
Emily E says:
wow- totally jealous! An in-person Idina sighting/singing would be amazing.
I haven’t seen the movie- my husband took our daughter while I watched the younger ones. But we’ve watched the youtube videos so many times that I feel as if I have seen the whole thing. And you should see the olaf cake my mom made for my daughter’s birthday. It was awesome.
Pattie says:
I’m jealous, and I know my daughter would be, too. She’s as Frozen-obsessed as Annie. And I also want to know if you told Annie where you were going.
Jennifer U. says:
Let’s be honest, Heather. You can keep writing about Frozen. We all love it. I don’t get to drive my kids to school a single day without us all singing it. I have been elected Anna, my daughter is Elsa, and my son all of the male parts. I tried to play Beauty and the Beast this morning and there were having no part of that.
You keep writing about Frozen, love. We feel you.
Sonya says:
That is SO COOL! Way to go Breezy Kyle, inviting you to this awesome event! My daughter and I also love Frozen and sing it ad nauseum. I’m totally jealous…did you tell Annie you went? Write about Frozen all you want…we’re all obsessed too.
Adria says:
I have a confession to make. It’s me. I’m the ONE who hasn’t seen the movie or heard the songs. My kid did go see it with her dad, and I have grand intentions of seeing it, but I’m too poor for things like movies these days. GO ahead, throw things at me. Preferably money.
Lindsay says:
It is SUCH a treat to see Idina live. Saw her in solo concert in my hometown and then was lucky enough to get tickets to If/Then, her new musical, when it was previewing in DC. That was the perfect birthday present! She is such an amazing talent.
Michelle H says:
How did I miss that?!?!??! I live outside DC!
Lindsay says:
Oh no! =( It was there for just a few weeks at the National Theater.
Leah says:
That is badass and I’m so glad you posted about it in detail (also, how awesome is your bro?). We took my son to see Frozen–his 1st movie in the theater–and I was like eh, it was OK, but then I gradually became obsessed with “Let it Go,” the Idina version, of course. It speaks to the whole fundamental issue that you have to accept yourself for who you actually are in order to have a decent life. Who can’t relate to that?
Rebecca says:
Ok, I have read your blog for two years now, and THIS is the post that finally makes me comment! I am so jealous!! I read about this event today, wishing I could have been there. Then I come check your blog and, HELLO! Turns out someone I feel like I know got to go. At least I can read a first hand report of what I was like being there! Still jealous though! If your brother got to interview them, does that mean you got to meet the cast too??
Heather says:
I could have, but I hung back and let him do his thing without him having to worry about his sister embarrassing him! And honestly, I would have embarrassed him. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a lot of cool people in my life but this crew of performers would have inspired some really dumb words to fall out of my mouth!
Valeri says:
I’m so jealous that I kindofsortoftotallyhateyou right now. Kristen Bell (my girl crush since Veronica Mars Day 1) AND Idina Menzel (my girl crush since the first time I heard the OBC of RENT)? In the same place? SINGING?! GAH!
Susie says:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/frozen-cast-reunites-cabaret-idina-678768
I found this on yahoo this afternoon. I live in NJ and am a broadway freak. I saw Idina in Rent and Wicked (3x). She is AMAZING live! Glad you enjoyed it.
Courtney says:
I am seriously dying here. Partly because I lave that damn movie but mostly because THAT’S VERONICA MARS!
Courtney says:
LOVE. I LOVE that damn movie.
Heather says:
I KNOW. I loved K Bell already (I mean, how can you not love someone who loves sloths that much?) but this seriously sealed the deal.
Mindy says:
I read your brother’s article yesterday! Someone on my fb had linked the article.
Sounds like an AMAZING time!
Brooke says:
Shut the front door! I LOVE the music from Frozen. I play it on Spotify all the time, especially in the car by myself so I can belt it out in full Idina fashion.
I also saw a snippet of this concert and was all like, “I’d LOVE to be there with all of that talent. I’d sing along and be all over that.” I’m so jealous but there’s that whole 6 degrees of separation thing I can cling to.
That’s so awesome. YAY for Frozen!