'The Snow Queen' arrives in Olympia

Originally published on The JOLT News on December 10, 2025

In this brisk chilly world, we are given a few options: we could go outside and complain, we could stay inside but always feel lonesome and curious about what’s going on beyond our own homes, or we could venture in and out embracing community and bringing warmth wherever we go. Personally, I recommend the latter, but either way, just keep moving forward so that you don’t end up frozen — that is what the snow queen would want.  

Despite its chilly title, Olympia Family Theater and String and Shadow Puppet Theatre’s collaborative production of “The Snow Queen” offers an extraordinary, whimsical and magical warmth that would both amaze and comfort the whole family.

Unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale combines quality acting, set design, costume design, and multiple styles of puppetry into one immersive experience. I think this collaboration might just be a match made in heaven. 

Don’t walk, run to get your tickets to this show during its run, which ends on Dec. 28.  

 Bravo to you all 

Putting together all these incredible elements into one cohesive smooth flowing show is not easy, but they made it look entirely natural. Director Jordan Richards definitely deserves a round of applause for the way he orchestrated and brought order, intentionality and love into leading this show. 

Hillary Lucero’s Snow Queen was enchanting and chilling, and she really stepped into the character and acted with every fiber of her being, all the way down to her white eyelashes. Lucero’s makeup for this show was a work of art in itself that truly left me in awe.  

Lex Langguth-Torres and Kayla Tomlinson had great chemistry, and stepped into all the different tones required for each moment so naturally.  

Laurie O’Brian’s depiction of a Forest Crow was pure delight, and added a comedic edge in the exact right moments of the show.  

I would be remiss if I did not include my praise for the incredible puppets brought to life on stage. My favorites were the sheep played by Nadia Wright, the snow bear played by Veronica Harris, and the Lapp Women played by Em Jones.  

 Every single person within the cast and crew deserves applause, as well as for their dedication to the cause and willingness to be flexible as duty called. Nothing was left behind and thus it was the grand gestures and small things that made the show unique, heartfelt and stunning. 

When we all come together, we can innovate our magic and beauty to create something new and wonderful. Every time we support collaborative efforts through buying tickets, donating to organizations, and using word of mouth and conversation to open doors, we show we want more collaboration and more incredible shows. 

I hope Olympia Family Theater and String and Shadow Puppet Theatre collaborate again, and I hope to see many more collaborations in our area in the new year.  

Immortal fairytales 

There are some stories that are quite literally a tale as old as time, and remain such because they offer something relevant to each generation. It does not matter how you choose to tell the story, whether you choose to stay true to all tradition or adapt into something modern. The core of these stories are strong, withholding the test of time and can withstand all weather.  

Have you ever read the original fairytale? Admittedly, I have not, but I think it made my experience in the audience that much richer not knowing what was ahead. I feel hesitant to even discuss the plot or the symbolic nature of the story because once you hear it, it hits your heart like a sobering, cold gust of wind.

Thankfully, you do not have to stay cold for long because you have the opportunity to get warm. You just have to choose it each day and persevere, never giving up on yourself or others. 

This production spoke to my heart in a way that I found very surprising and deep. What I love about both of these companies is that they don’t question whether something is too deep to discuss with children, nor do they ever underestimate them.

What they do is take important lessons and feed it to all of us in a way that is accessible and simple, but with that glitter of stage magic, and do everything else it takes to allow important concepts to stick in our hearts. 

We cannot stop telling stories like these that teach us universal lessons in how to be kind, good, aware and strong.  

 Learn more about this incredible show here.

https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/the-snow-queen-arrives-in-olympia,27339