For the First Time in Forever, Tristen Buettel Brings Elsa’s Magic to Life in Frozen: The Musical, Now Performing at Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

January 7th, 2024

Tristen Buettel steps into the iconic role of Elsa in Frozen: The Musical, a character known for her extraordinary powers and complex emotional journey. In an interview, Tristen shared her experience of bringing Elsa to life on stage, reflecting on the character’s growth, the challenges of performing such a demanding role, and the impact of Elsa’s story on both herself and her audiences.

When asked how she makes Elsa her own while staying true to what fans love, Tristen explained, “I try to humanize who she is and what she is going through. I take the show moment to moment with as many discoveries as possible. If I feel I am being truthful, then hopefully the audience feels that too, even given the extreme scenarios—like having ice powers!”

One of Elsa’s defining moments, of course, is the song “Let It Go,” which has become a cultural phenomenon. Preparing for this powerful performance night after night is no small feat. Tristen shared her personal routine: “Sleep and water! If I can get a good 9-10 hours of sleep, that’s ideal. About 200+ oz of water a day. Good healthy food, stretching, and yoga to mentally prepare, cleanse and amp myself up!”

Elsa’s journey is one of self-discovery and confidence, and Tristen resonated deeply with this theme. “Elsa’s emotional arc is really beautiful,” she said. “She starts off in an incredibly vulnerable place, very unsure of who she is and what she is capable of. Once she gets to ‘Let It Go,’ she discovers her freedom and is limitless for the first time. She not only accepts who she is, but she embraces it.” Tristen reflected on how playing Elsa has influenced her own journey, sharing, “Embracing who I am has been a lot of my journey this past year. With Frozen, I get to step into my power, embrace what I have to give, open up and shine! I feel so lucky to play her.”

Tristen hopes that audiences, especially younger viewers, take away a message of self-acceptance. “Only good things come when we embrace who we are,” she said. “And that any form of sisterhood is worth fighting for!”

In terms of Elsa’s magical powers, Tristen acknowledged the technical team’s vital role in creating the visual spectacle of the show. “So much hard work has gone into the costumes, set, scenery, wigs, lighting & sound. I do the least amount of work as far as the magic!” she said with a laugh. “With John Tartaglia’s wonderful direction, we all have come together to create something truly jaw-dropping and fan-freeken-tastic!”

Among the magical moments on stage, Tristen found it hard to beat the buildup to “Let It Go.” “There’s nothing like the first few bars leading up to ‘Let It Go,’” she said, adding, “Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez know what they’re doing! I don’t even have to try that hard—what is written is the most magical moment ever!”

Playing Elsa is no easy task, as the role is physically and emotionally demanding. “It’s a very physically and emotionally demanding role,” Tristen explained. “The payoff is amazing, but once you get on the ride, there’s no turning back—one big number after the next! But man is it thrilling!”

Elsa’s emotional journey, particularly her moments of isolation and self-acceptance, mirrors struggles many people face. “We all have those uncomfortable feelings inside of us,” Tristen said. “There are moments when I am lonely, moments of doubt, my ‘second guessing’ playlist that somehow goes on repeat. But I find a way. And Elsa finds a way. To move forward and trust. To let go and accept. To face the fear and do it anyway.”

The relationship between Elsa and her sister Anna is central to the story, and Tristen spoke fondly of her on-stage chemistry with Brooke, who plays Anna. “Brooke has my back through it all! She has been so wonderful in hyping me up and making me feel like we really are sisters. I trust her, which is not always so easy to do given we had two weeks of rehearsal!”

When asked about their favorite moments performing together, Tristen highlighted their duet in the second act, “I Can’t Lose You.” “It has so much pain, love, loss, longing, misunderstanding and tenderness (just to name a few) in it. It’s both easy and really hard to sing,” she shared, noting the emotional depth of the song.

Beyond the technical and emotional aspects, Tristen emphasized the powerful themes of sisterhood and family that resonate throughout Frozen. “Sisterhood and family play such a big part in this show. I hope audiences walk out being reminded to reach out to that friend they haven’t spoken to in a while, give a family member a call just because! People don’t always remember everything you do, but they remember how you made them feel.”

The live performance element also offers unique rewards. “I’ve had so many people reach out just beaming in excitement!” Tristen said, smiling. “Kids love the show, but adults love the show too. There is truly something for everyone.” She also praised the collaborative effort behind the production. “I am blown away by Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s cast, production staff, and creative team. The collaboration here could not be more amazing.”

Keeping energy up during such an intense run requires a balance of rest and fun. “You gotta laugh at yourself sometimes and not take things too seriously! Yes, we have to sleep, drink tons of water and stay healthy—but we also have to have fun! Thank gosh for this great cast, because they make me laugh and we have such a great time out there on that stage!”

Finally, when asked what advice she would give to someone seeing Frozen on stage for the first time, Tristen offered a simple but heartfelt piece of wisdom: “Allow yourself to believe!”

And in a playful final question about being trapped in a blizzard as Elsa, Tristen predicted that Anna would survive longer. “Anna because of her fierce positivity and sheer tenacity. We would fight over who loves one another more, ha!”

Tristen’s passion for her role, her deep connection to Elsa’s emotional journey, and her infectious enthusiasm for the production shine through, leaving audiences with not only a memorable performance but a lasting message of self-acceptance, love, and the importance of family.