Mount Carmel’s ’ ‘The Snow Queen’ warms a sold-out crowd

Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club presented its musical adaption of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen, in a sold-out two-night show last week. 

Featuring colorful costumes and sets and music from Disney’s animated film Frozen, which the production was based on, the night marked the Catholic school’s 36th production with over 15 years of stage and film under its belt. 

Hundreds of community members crowded Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Ballroom as darkness set the stage for a compelling play. Colorful lights gracefully illuminated the stage as characters performed their scenes, receiving a resounding applause from the audience. 

Mount Carmel alumnus and former Theatre Club member Steven Johnson said he is always excited to see another production come out of the island’s sole Catholic school. “I think the school has a lot of musical talent and it is cool to see more plays being produced,” he told the Saipan Tribune.  

Johnson recounted his days as a member of the club a few years ago. “Being in theatre was definitely one of the best parts of high school. Going to school and meeting with the club made it my second home. I’m glad to see the same happening to other students as the school puts on more shows.”

Like Johnson, many other members of the community expressed their gratitude toward the school for providing the community with what some describe to be “the best productions ever.”

Play director Jaqueline Doctor said she is proud to have worked with such an amazing cast and put on a big production in a short time span. Doctor, a sophomore, is one of the youngest students to have directed a school production. 

“It was nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. It was my first big play, so a lot of people expected a great show,” she said.

In her message to the audience, the young director hopes the play will make them feel the love of a family. “From our theatre club family to yours,” she added.

Fellow sophomore student Yumi Kim, who played the lead role of the Snow Queen Elsa, described her acting debut on stage as “unforgettable.”

This is Kim’s first year on Saipan, where she came to study English. Kim received a roaring applause from the audience after keeping herself in character throughout the production and flawlessly singing the play’s signature song, Let It Go.

“I am glad and satisfied that the audience loved it. I knew we weren’t perfect but glad we pulled it off together as a club and family,” she said. “Through reading and memorizing my lines I learned a lot too, so I am glad.”

Junior student Jonathan Pangelinan wishes he could play the role of the animated snowman “Olaf” one more time on stage. 

“I am surprised at the amount of people that showed up and I’m very glad they enjoyed it because putting on a show like Frozen gives everyone high expectations. Overall, it seemed like a success,” he said. 

The antagonist of the storyline, Prince Hans, was played by Lance Deleon Guerrero, who considers his part in the production as the biggest role he’s ever had.

“I loved Frozen, and even though it was challenging, it was a wonderful experience,” he said. “I love being able to coordinate with so many friends of mine just to create something awesome.”

School principal and producer Galvin Deleon Guerrero said that putting on a show like The Snow Queen takes a lot of hard work but it is an honor to work with kids who are not just talented but also committed to the performing arts.

“We’ve also been very blessed to have wonderful parents who not only support their kids but support the performing arts as well,” he explained.

Last week’s performance may have ended but the school theatre club family is already gearing up for another production next semester. 

Guerrero described the club as a family, where kids of all grades from 1st grade through 12th grade work together to bring something magical to the stage and to the audience.

Mount Carmel School has a long legacy of bringing the performing arts to the community, dating back to the first Christmas program in 1952 and the first Passion play in 1953. 

“The Theatre Club has been proud to continue that legacy for about the past two decades with shows that entertain, enlighten, and transform lives,” he said.