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Idina Menzel: "Frozen II"

In what way do "Frozen" and its franchise differ from several other Disney musicals? The lyricist is a woman.

Before, we had Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, Stephen Schwartz. Now: Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

It's likely Ms. Anderson-Lopez is well aware of the tradition she is entering. "Into the Unknown," the big anthem from "Frozen II," is a rewrite of Stephen Schwartz's "Around the Riverbend." (Even the titles--Preposition plus THE plus Noun--are similar.)

In "Riverbend" (the best song from "Pocahontas"), our title character wonders what life holds for her. Will she stick with her man, a man society has assigned to her? Or will she pursue a different adventure? Pocahontas is in a kind of dialogue with her "Dreamgiver," which nudges her along, a voice that encourages rebellion.

In "Frozen II," Elsa listens--and argues with--a Secret Siren, a voice nudging her along, encouraging (you guessed it) rebellion.

It's interesting to note what happens when a woman takes over the writing responsibilities. Go back to Stephen Schwartz. Yes, Pocahontas rebels, but her rebellion involves yet another man. That's the main plot available to her.

Elsa, by contrast, writes her own script; she is cheerfully single, once again, at the end of "Frozen II."

Pocahontas ends her anthem with a question: "Do you still wait for me--Dreamgiver--just around the riverbend?"

Elsa ends with a question, too, but *Elsa* is the subject in her question. Elsa has agency. "How do *I* follow you into the unknown?"

Points also to Kristen A-L for following Sondheim's rule that a good song should be a one-act play. Elsa starts her song by rejecting the Siren. She inches closer and closer to the Siren, nonetheless. There is a thrilling, wordless bridge--all that orgasmic yodeling--and then Elsa crosses over. The Former Elsa is gone. A New Elsa is here. Predictable, but satisfying.

Just some observations...

P.S. My husband wants to find lesbian subtext in Elsa's story. I'm not sure. It's worth noting that the Secret Siren is gendered; the Siren is female, embodied by a singer I hadn't heard of, "Aurora." I don't know if Pocahontas's Dreamgiver has a gender.

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