Leaning into Elsa's struggle: Caissie Levy faces the pressure in Frozen on Broadway

Frozen, Disney's fairy tale about apowerful queen and her devoted sister, remains a pop culture powerhouse nearly five years after first hitting movie theatres. Even if you've never seenit, you undoubtedly know Let It Go, the animated blockbuster's ubiquitous song.

Faced with the immense pressure that comes with bringing a beloved animated character to life, Canadian actor CaissieLevy is earning ravesfor her turn as Queen Elsa ina new adaptation of the film currently running at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

The Hamilton, Ont.-raised performer is no stranger to the stage, having built up her Broadway resume over the past decade with roles in LesMisrables,Wicked,Hair, RentandHairspray.

Let It Gois so well-known and Elsa is so well-loved. I thought, 'Oh god, can I do this?'- CaissieLevy

Still, it's understandable that she mentioned feeling both "thrilled and overwhelmed" upon learning she'd landed the coveted snow queen role in the brand new musical.

"Frozen is so famous and Let It Go is so well-known and Elsa is so well-loved. I thought, 'Oh god, can I do this? Can I be this person that everybody wants me to be?'" she told CBC News.

Caissie Levy's tips for how to sing Let It Go

6 years ago

Duration 1:01

Attention Elsa wannabes: The Canadian actress starring in Broadway's new Frozen musical shares advice for tackling the epic tune.

Levy said she realized pretty quickly that Elsa's entire struggle as a character is around battling those same demons and "embracing all the parts of herself."

"Leaning into that aspect of the character, ever since being cast in the role, I've been able to tap into that and it's helped enrich the whole experience for me."

When Caissie met Idina

Released in cinemas in November2013, Frozen is the highest-grossing animated film of all time (earning more than $1.27 billion US worldwide). Years later, Elsaand Anna are still unavoidable when it comes to kids' toys and merchandise.

Music was a big part of the movie's magic the Frozensoundtrack was 2014's top-selling album oniTunes.

Actor-singerIdinaMenzel's achievementswere already legendary among Broadway fans, but there's no doubt Menzel is nowbest knownas the original voice of Frozen's young monarch.

Menzel's powerhouse vocals have been emulated byfans everywhere as they belted out Elsa'santhem at singalongsor karaoke bars (sorry,Demi Lovato).

What Idina Menzel tell Caissie Levy, star of Broadway's Frozen?

6 years ago

Duration 1:05

Levy, starring as Queen Elsa in Broadway's Frozen, shares the inspiring words shared by stage star Menzel, who voiced the role in the blockbuster film.

After being cast in Frozen, Levy bumped into Menzelwhile attending another Broadway show. Levy said the woman who brought Elsa to millions of viewers around the world shared words of support.

"She was so lovely and so gracious about the whole thing [and]wished me well," she recalled.

The playwhich digs a little deeper into the characters through about a dozen new tunes penned by original songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez is a timely addition on Broadway, Levy said, given the entertainment world's renewedfocus on stories about women.

Levy said stories are too often about women being in competition with each other, and maybe finding their way to friendship by the end.

"What I love about Frozen is that it's about these girls from the jump only wanting to be together, only wanting to connect and only wanting to support each other," the play's star said.

"That's a message that everyone needs to hear:young and old, male and female. I think that it's resonating at this moment in time for a reason."

Taking Elsa from screen to stage: Caissie Levy in Frozen

6 years ago

Duration 3:59

Canadian Caissie Levy is bringing Elsa to life on Broadway in Disney's new stage musical adaptation Frozen.