Review: ‘The Snow Queen’ is among the Troubies’ best holiday shows

The Troubadour Theater Company, that inimitable local treasure founded and led by clown extraordinaire Matt Walker, has never done a bad show. Even the group’s lesser efforts have been reliably hilarious.

For those few unfamiliar with the company, the Troubies blend classic source material with contemporary rock or pop music as the basis for their free-wheeling entertainments, which have been delighting Troubies fans for almost 20 years.

“The Snow Queen” at the Falcon -- the Troubies’ perennial venue -- is among the group’s best offerings to date, a terrific holiday entertainment that may be the hottest ticket in town -- that is, if any tickets are still to be had at this annual sell-out.

The show, which melds Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale with the music of Queen, concerns the transformation of Kai (hooty Joseph Keane), who, under the spell of a demonic mirror, is changed from a sunny guy to an icy heel.

When Kai is swept away to the Snow Queen’s wintry kingdom, his friend, Gerda (appealing, strong-voiced Misty Cotton), embarks on an arduous journey through ice-swept wastes to rescue her “playmate.”

Under the inspired tutelage of musical director Eric Heinly and choreographer Molly Booth, both company veterans, the musical numbers are stellar, as are the dazzling design elements by Sharon McGunigle (costumes), Jeff McLaughlin (sets), Jeremy Pivnick (lighting), Robert Arturo Ramirez (sound) and Corey Womack (props) -- Troubie vets all.

The cast is also replete with Troubies regulars and includes Rick Batalla, Lisa Valenzuela, Beth Kennedy and the always outstanding Walker.

However, it is campy John Quale (who performs elsewhere as Prince Poppycock), in glittering drag as the Snow Queen, who does full homage to Freddie Mercury in a sizzling turn that could melt icebergs.

“The Snow Queen,” Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 4 and 7 p.m. Sundays. No shows Dec, 24, 25, 31 & Jan. 1. No 7 p.m. show Jan. 11 or 18. Added shows Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 at 4 p.m. Ends Jan. 18. $36.50 to $44. (818) 955-8101. www.FalconTheatre.com. Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.