Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Snow Queen’ brings icy leading ladies to the fore

With a sudden stab of pain to his heart, Kai (Jacob Griffeth) feels the first strike of the unseen Snow Queen in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's Youth Theatre production of "The Snow Queen." His friend, Gerda (Talia Joels), doesn't know what to make of the pain and Kai's sudden meanness. Both young actors are part of the Sommerhus cast in the double-cast production. With a sudden stab of pain to his heart, Kai (Jacob Griffeth) feels the first strike of the unseen Snow Queen in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's Youth Theatre production of "The Snow Queen." His friend, Gerda (Talia Joels), doesn't know what to make of the pain and Kai's sudden meanness. Both young actors are part of the Sommerhus cast in the double-cast production.

By Staff Report January 26, 2017 4 min read

If you go

* What: CTC Youth Theatre’s “The Snow Queen.”* When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 (with reception following); 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 (with reception following evening performance); 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29; 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5.* Admission: $10, all shows, all ages.* Phone: 423-267-8534.* Website: www.TheatreCentre.com.

“The Snow Queen,” Hans Christian Andersen’s story of a heroic girl who saves her friend from dying of a frozen heart, opens Friday, Jan. 27, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. The Youth Theatre production runs through Sunday, Feb. 5 on the MainStage.

Scott Dunlap, who is directing double casts of young actors, adapted Andersen’s story for the stage. It was a play he has been wanting to do at the CTC for some time.

“‘The Snow Queen’ was the first play I saw as a child,” says the CTC veteran who is now Youth Theatre director. “I was 7 years old, and it was in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre. I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.'”

“The Snow Queen” was considered a good choice for the CTC as the dynamics of the play work well for the Youth Theatre.