Frozen charts the course of three characters connected by one tragic event: a murderer, his psychologist, and the mother of one of his victims. At the center of the story is Rhona, a ten-year-old girl who goes missing on a walk in an English suburb. Her mother Nancy withdraws from the world, unable to cope with the emotions surrounding Rhona’s disappearance. Years later, Nancy encounters Agnetha, an American assembling interviews for her dissertation: “Serial Killing – A Forgivable Act?” Agnetha’s research leads her to the prison where Ralph is detained, a man still chillingly detached despite the magnitude of his crimes.
Adam Zahler, winner of the 2005 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director of New Rep’s production, Permanent Collection, returns to direct Frozen, a play of extraordinary emotion and sensitivity that explores the limits of human regret and forgiveness.
by Bryony Lavery
Directed by Adam Zahler
January 22 - February 12, 2006
Richard Wadsworth Chambers, scenic design
Frances Nelson McSherry, costume design
Karen Perlow, lighting design
Jeffrey Alan Jones, sound design/original music
Erik D. Diaz, properties design
Cheryl D. Olszowka*, production stage manager
CAST (in order of appearance)
Adrianne Hewlett*, Agnetha Gottmundsdottir
Nancy E. Carroll*, Nancy Shirley
Bates Wilder*, Ralph Wantage
Time: The present
Place: England
*member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc.
Frozen was first performed by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on May 1, 1998.
It was revised and revived at the National's Cottesloe Theatre on June 28, 2002. It received its New York Premiere at the MCC Theater on February 25, 2004. Artistic Directors: Robert LuPone @ Bernard Telsey. Associate Artistic Director: William Cantler.
This production of Frozen transferred to Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre on May 4, 2004. Roy Gabay, MCC Theater, Harold Newman, Zollo/Paleologos & Jeffrey Sine, Lorie Cowen Levy & Beth Smith, Peggy Hill, Thompson H. Rogers, Swinsky/Filerman/Hendel, Sirkin/Mills/Baldassare & Darren Bagert.
The author wishes to express her gratitude to Marian Partington, for her words and her courage.
Anyone who would like to learn more about the psychology explored in this play should go to www.gladwell.com.