After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Zion Opera Workshop is set to make its return to the stage.

The production, “Disney’s Frozen Junior,” will be presented from 2-7 p.m. Saturday in Smith Auditorium of Zion UCC in Lehighton.

Tickets are $5 and can be obtained from any cast member or director or at Carbon County Music, 115 S. Second St., Lehighton.

Guests are asked to wear a mask for the protection of other guests, as well as the cast and crew. The show is about one hour long.

This production is under the direction of Zion Opera Workshop veteran Laura Cressley, joined by fellow ZOW veteran Adam Reichard as the stage director. Both directors have appeared in over 10 theater productions with Zion Opera Workshop over the years and attribute their love for musical theater to their involvement in the group at a young age.

The cast for this show consists of about 30 children, ranging from 7 to 16 years old. Many cast members originally auditioned for the show back in March of 2020, and a few new members were added before the first rehearsal held at the end of September. Since then, the cast has been at work at least twice a week learning songs, dances and lines to bring the well-loved story of Anna, Elsa and their friends to life.

Based on the Disney film, “Frozen Junior” transports audiences to the village of Arendelle, where Young Anna (played by Vivian Zimmerman) and Young Elsa (played by Lilly Andreas) spend their days using Elsa’s magic powers for their entertainment, causing concern for King Agnarr (Andrew Muenzel) and Queen Iduna (Keira Peppard). When the girls are playing one night, Elsa accidentally strikes Anna in the head with her powers, leading the queen to summon the help of the Hidden Folk, led by Pabbie (Carson Hauser) and Bulda (Kaia Mehnert).

The Hidden Folk are able to remove the magic from Anna’s head, but also must erase all memories from Anna, creating a separation between the sisters that lasts for years. Middle Anna (Maddie Rakos) and Middle Elsa (Cara McMichael) are featured in “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?,” showing Anna’s longing for companionship from her sister, while Elsa is afraid to hurt her again. When the king and queen are lost at sea, the girls must find a way to carry on and Elsa is chosen to rule the kingdom.

On Coronation Day, the now grown Anna (played by Lehighton eighth-grader Abigail Ehrig) and Elsa (played by Jim Thorpe 10th-grader, Kate Newsted) finally reconnect after Elsa is crowned by the Bishop (Aiden Dugan). At the coronation, the sisters reconnect and laugh especially at the expense of the arrogant Duke of Weselton (Parker Derr). Later, Anna meets and falls in love with Prince Hans (Connor Stay).

Anna announces her engagement to Prince Hans and asks Elsa for her blessing. Elsa refuses and chaos ensues as she shoots ice into the ballroom. Elsa flees and Anna runs out to find her. Ice Harvester, Kristoff (Aiden Wowk) and his Reindeer Sven (Colleen Gilsbach) agree to help Anna find Elsa. The group is startled in their search when they come across the magical snowman, Olaf (Zane Zimmerman). They also encounter Oaken (Andrew Hrusovsky) and his family who also aid in the search.

Other characters and players include Housekeeper (Skylar Foster); Butler (Claire Foeller); Handmaiden (Lydia Hessinger), Cook (Nicole Kester); Steward (Hallie Miller); and Townspeople (Amanda Gowin, Daphne Gowin, Quinn Haydt and Zac Andreas).

Assistants to the directors include directors and members of Zion Opera Workshop, including Pati and Duane Reichard, Nancy Keiser, Casi Reichard, Amy Shelly and Brad and Beth Cressley. The group assists with stage construction, costumes, lights, sound and assistance with the cast.