In Disney’s Frozen, Anna is primarily voiced and sung by Broadway performer Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who also co-wrote the movie’s songs with her husband Robert Lopez. For the stage musical, the role of Anna was originated by Patti Murin on Broadway, with Katie Lopez as the speaking voice in the original production. This guide covers the key performances, vocal credits, and how recordings align with on-screen and onstage portrayals, supported by production and casting details from official sources.
Frozen (2013): movie vocal credits for Anna
In the original Frozen film, Anna’s speaking and singing voice in English-language releases is performed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez. She sings key solos such as “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” “For the First Time in Forever,” and portions of “Love Is an Open Door.”
- Primary singing voice: Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
- Speaking voice: Kristen Anderson-Lopez (English).
- Additional language dubs: Localized casts perform the songs in many markets, but the canonical English recording is by Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
Frozen: The Broadway Musical (2018): Anna on stage
When Frozen transferred to Broadway, the role of Anna was originated by Patti Murin in the company starring Caissie Levy as Elsa. Katie Lopez, Patti Murin’s then-husband, provided the speaking voice for the Broadway Anna, while Murin performed the singing tracks used in the orchestrations during performance.
- Original Broadway Anna (speaking): Katie Lopez.
- Original Broadway Anna (singing): Patti Murin (recorded and played back during the orchestral performances).
Frozen – The Broadway Musical (original Broadway cast recording)
The original Broadway cast recording captures Patti Murin’s sung performance as Anna, aligned with the in-show playback system. Credits and cast listings reflect this separation of spoken and sung tracks, common in book musicals that use prerecorded vocals for continuity.
Key credits and performance summary
| Role / Context | Anna (spoken) | Anna (sung) | Source / Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen (2013 film) | Kristen Anderson-Lopez | Kristen Anderson-Lopez | Disney official credits and liner notes |
| Frozen – The Broadway Musical (original company) | Katie Lopez | Patti Murin (playback) | Broadway cast listing and production notes |
| Subsequent tours and local productions | Varies by casting | Varies per production; often tracks recorded by principal cast | Regional and international licensing materials |
Translations and international versions
In non-English releases, Anna is performed by local singers and dubbing artists who adapt the recordings to the language and theatrical requirements. Disney coordinates translations to preserve musical phrasing where possible. The canonical English versions remain Kristen Anderson-Lopez’s performances in the film and the Broadway playback for the stage show.
Behind the music: songwriting and vocal work
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez wrote the Frozen score and performed the principal Anna vocals in the film. Their collaboration balances conversational intimacy in “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” with the more theatrical Broadway style of “For the First Time in Forever.” On stage, the use of playback allows the book musical to retain the film’s iconic recordings while actors perform live alongside the track.
Summary of vocal attribution for Anna
- Film Anna (English): speaking and singing by Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
- Broadway Anna (original company): speaking by Katie Lopez; singing by Patti Murin via playback.
- International and tour casts: vary; localized recordings are used under licensing.