A young Jewish girl from White Plains, New York, is one of the stars of an upcoming production at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Mackenzie Mercer will play the role of Young Elsa when a touring production of “Frozen: The Musical” comes to town next month.

The 11-year-old said the urge to perform comes to her naturally.

“I’ve always loved singing and acting and being on stage,” she told the Chronicle.

At age 4, Mackenzie took part in a program dubbed Star Kidz. That led to summer voice lessons, which led to her bringing manager Jason Bercy onto her team. She got bitten by the acting bug hard and has starred in touring productions ever since.

“I auditioned for a little bit and, when I was 7, I was on tour for ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas,’” Mackenzie said. “It was very short but very good.”

Mackenzie likes life on tour. When she’s on the road, she is taught by educators in the theaters and is assigned a home tutor, her mother said.

Her star turn in “Frozen” marks her St. Louis debut.

“I have never been to St Louis but I’m excited to go because the Fox Theatre looks cool and I want to see the Arch,” said Mackenzie in a phone interview with the St. Louis Jewish Light.

Mackenzie admits she auditioned six times for “Frozen” before landing the part — and had to do it virtually because of COVID-19.
“It was all Zoom,” she laughed, “even the final callback.”

The critic in her is excited by the new show, she said. She grew up watching the “Frozen” movies and singing “Let It Go,” and thinks the script for the stage musical is strong.

“What’s good about the show is that it has great songs, and it’s a good time for all ages,” Mackenzie said. “It’s funny, very funny.”

Mackenzie’s mother, Shelly LeWinter, said her daughter was drawn to the strong sister bond in “Frozen”; yes, Mackenzie has an older sister.

And Mackenzie’s not shy about promoting the musical.

“It’s really fun to be on tour,” she said. “And you should go see ‘Frozen.’”

Frozen At The Fox, Nov 2 – 13

From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, FROZEN, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” FROZEN features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, FROZEN is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.