A wise snowman from the movieFrozenonce said: "Hi, I'm Olaf and I Like Warm Hugs."

I feel you, Olaf. I too like warm hugs. And this year has been severely lacking in them (air hugs via Zoom won't keep you warm at night).

Until now. No, don't go wearing a 'FREE HUGS' sign in the street, because that’s not socially responsible. We're talking about enveloping ourselves in the metaphorical warm embrace of Disney's Frozen the Musical.

There are lots of reasons to go and seeFrozenas it debuts in Australia at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, this December. Most of them don't involve the need to have a child in tow – this is a BIG. NIGHT. OUT. And we've been lacking those this year, too, haven't we?

I present my case in 11 points:

1. *JAZZ HANDS* BROOOAADDWAAAY.

via GIPHY

It's a hit Broadway musical right here in Australia. At a time when Broadway in New York is closed until mid next year, we couldn't be luckier to have such an experience right here on our shores. From the same producers asAladdin,The Lion KingandMary Poppins, Disney'sFrozen the Musicalhas all the hallmarks of an 'event' show: lavish costumes and sets, eye-popping special effects, and soaring vocals from musical powerhouses (more on that in point 4).

2. It's a feminist masterpiece with powerful female leads.

It's a fairy tale that smashes the rules of what a fairy tale can be. Princess Elsa and Anna are independent women, not damsels in distress. They're not defined by their relationships to men – it's their sisterhood that powers the storyline and the fight to save the Scandi-inspired kingdom of Arendelle from falling into the wrong hands (or wrong Hans, if you know the story).

Not just that, though. The show has a message that everyone can take something from: be yourself and learn to love what's unique about you. I'm not crying, you are.

3. There's SNOW.

It's the closest you'll get to the fairy tale 'white Christmas' of Europe and the US (without those 'snow days' where cars are completely snowed in and people can't do anything). Yes, in the height of the Aussie summer, you'll get to see snow inside the Capitol Theatre.

4. Three words: Aussie. Theatre. Royalty.

You don't have to be a musical theatre buff to know these faces, but once you hear their voices… well, let's just say there's no 'letting it go'. Jemma Rix plays ice queen Elsa, but she's previously starred as Elphaba inWickedacross Australia, New Zealand and Asia, as well as lead roles inGhost, the Musical, andThe Wizard of Oz(for which she was nominated for a Helpmann Award). Courtney Monsma plays her sister Anna, following her star turn inSIX The Musicalat the Sydney Opera House earlier in 2020. She's also performed as part of the Australian tours of Disney'sAladdinandMAMMA MIA!

One more face you'll recognise: actor/dancer/singer Matt Lee, who won a Helpmann Award for playing Bert inMary Poppinsin Australia, New Zealand and the UK. You also know him as a judge from TV'sSo You Think You Dance Australia… and we have it on good authority that the guy can DANCE.

He plays Olaf, our beloved snowman.