John Tartaglia Will Take Over as Oaken in Disney’s ‘Frozen’ at The Muny

ST. LOUIS — John Tartaglia will take over the role of Oaken in the Muny premiere of Disney’s Frozen, which runs through July 14. Tartaglia, who also directed the production, replaces Mark Saunders, who is recovering from an injury.

Disney’s Frozen is presented by Edward Jones. Performances begin at 8:15 p.m. nightly.

“We’re sad that Mark Saunders is stepping away from Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Sauna, and we wish him a smooth recovery,” said Muny Artistic Director & Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “But we are beyond lucky that our beloved John Tartaglia is able to return to the Muny stage — after also having directed this monumental production.”

Tartaglia is no stranger to St. Louis audiences. At The Muny, he has directed Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Matilda, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Tarzan and Shrek. He has starred in Disney’s Aladdin (Genie), Seussical (The Cat in the Hat) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Hysterium, St. Louis Theater Circle Award).

On Broadway, Tartaglia starred in Avenue Q (Tony nomination), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Shrek the Musical. Other credits include Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live (writer/director/choreographer), John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean (writer/director), Stephen Schwartz’s The Secret Silk (writer/director), Disney’s Frozen and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theatre, director), Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Emmy Award), Johnny and the Sprites, Sesame Street, Jim Henson’s Word Party, Julie’s Greenroom and Jim Henson’s Splash and Bubbles. He hosts Sunday Funday With John Tartaglia on SiriusXM On Broadway.

“I wish more audiences could have the chance to see Mark’s wonderfully funny performance as Oaken, and I hope he’s back on his feet soon,” Tartaglia said. “I always love working at The Muny, and I’m grateful for this unexpected opportunity to extend my stay with my Frozen family.”

Along with Tartaglia, the creative team for Disney’s Frozen is led by Patrick O’Neill (choreographer) and Darryl Archibald (music director/conductor). The Muny artistic staff includes Artistic Director & Executive Producer Mike Isaacson, Associate Artistic Director Michael Baxter, Director of Production Tracy Utzmyers and Music Supervisor Michael Horsley.

Full of magic and humor, Disney’s Frozen features beloved songs from the Oscar-winning 2013 film, along with a dozen new songs written for the stage. In the kingdom of Arendelle, sisters Anna and Elsa grow increasingly distant. When Elsa becomes queen and her hidden powers spiral out of control, she flees, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Determined to bring Elsa home to the castle, Anna embarks on an epic adventure with friends. It’s a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance and the meaning of true love. Disney’s Frozen includes music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, with a book by Jennifer Lee.

Season 107 at The Muny also includes Evita (July 18-24), Dear Evan Hansen (July 28-Aug. 3), La Cage aux Folles (Aug. 8-14) and Jersey Boys (Aug. 18-24).

Single-performance tickets start at just $21 and are on sale now at muny.org or metrotix.com, by calling (314) 534-1111 and at the Muny Box Office, located at 1 Theatre Drive in Forest Park.

A 20% group discount is available for parties of 15 or more. To start the free reservation process, visit muny.org/groups or call (314) 595-5708.

Visit muny.org/frozen to read content notes and more for Disney’s Frozen; watch In Focus, a Muny original series; and hear Muny Unscripted, a new podcast available exclusively on Spotify. 

Find photos, show logos and other promotional assets in the Muny Press Room.

Now in its 107th season in St. Louis, The Muny — the recipient of the 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to producing exceptional musical theatre that is accessible to all, continuing its remarkable tradition in Forest Park. As the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, The Muny welcomes more than 300,000 patrons each summer for seven world-class productions under the stars. Learn more at muny.org, and follow along at facebook.com/munytheatre, instagram.com/themuny and youtube.com/themunytv.