A Statement from The Rose Theater Regarding FROZEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL Casting

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https://www.wowt.com/2026/06/05/omaha-childrens-theater-condemns-racist-responses-frozen-casting-choice/OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) -

Elsa and Anna are in town, ready to the hit The Rose Theater stage, but a photo of the happy “Frozen” sisters has apparently sparked ire from some in the area, according to a post from the Omaha children’s theater.

On Friday afternoon, The Rose Theater posted a statement on Facebook calling out “racist responses on social media” to a cast photo as “unwelcome,” and encouraged the community to embrace Elsa and what they say the popular Disney character represents.

Within three hours of posting the full statement, hundreds had commented on Facebook and Reddit.


https://www.facebook.com/therosetheater/


https://www.reddit.com/r/Omaha/comments/1txtjai/statement_from_the_rose_theatre_on_casting_a/

We are aware that a cast photo has drawn racist responses on social media.
We want to be direct: those responses are unwelcome, and they will not be engaged with here or anywhere. We condemn them as should any person with a conscience.

We anticipate that some responses will arrive dressed more politely, as concerns about "differences from the film" or worries that we are being "woke." We want to be equally direct about those: a Black actress playing Elsa is a casting decision rooted in that individual's singular talent.

The magic of live theater has always been that the story lives in the performer, not in a predetermined image of what that performer should look like. That has been true since the first story was ever told onstage.

Elsa is a character about power, isolation, self-acceptance, and the courage to be fully and unapologetically yourself. We cannot think of a more perfect context in which to see those themes embodied by an actress who brings her whole self to this stage.

The Rose has also spent decades believing that every child who sits in our audience deserves to see themselves in the stories we tell. That belief is not new. It is not a trend. It is who we are.

We hope you'll come see this production with open eyes and an open heart. It is extraordinary.

The Rose is fantastic. And from what I've heard, she is super talented.
This is going to backfire - she is going to be more popular than before.