PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Although it’s spring, there’s still some ice on the horizon.
Disney’s “Frozen” just opened at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
It’s filled with theatrical effects designed to bring the movie’s icy magic to life and create a live version of the beloved reindeer, Sven, played by Dan Plehal.
On stage, he’s inside a full-body costume, walking on all fours on stilts. And his portrayal is quite convincing, leaving many younger folks in the audience to wonder if there’s an actual reindeer on stage.
Of course, it isn’t a real reindeer, it’s just Plehal.
In addition to being on stilts, Plehal has crutches on his arms and the head of a reindeer.
“I've got the antlers and the detailing that is hand painted. All of the fabric is hand sewed on and hand painted. It's just a magical wonder,” he said.
Sven’s costume and the other puppets in the show were designed by Michael Curry, who also designed the puppets for “The Lion King.”
Plehal decided to study physical theater when he took a summer training session after college with Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia.
“They did influence me a whole lot in terms of getting me set on that pathway because I said, ‘Yep, I do want to do this full time. I want to study this for eight hours every day. Let's go.’”
Plehal says he studied reindeer, horses, and his own dog to learn how to move like a reindeer.
The role is so physically taxing that it has to be split between two actors.
“I share the role with a wonderful human named Collin Baja,” Plehal said. “He's become sort of a brother of mine … So we each do four shows a week … But we're at the theater the whole time. So shows when Collin is on stage, I'm working with our physical therapist, who we have on staff,” he said.
Plehal says he loves Philadelphia and is so excited to be back and reconnect with what was sort of the beginning of his adulthood.
“Frozen” is at the Academy of Music through April 7. Tickets and more information can be found here.