Patti Murin, Who Originated Role of Anna in Broadway'sFrozen,Says Her Daughter Calls Herself an 'Elsa' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Patti Murin and Colin Donnell at theGypsypremiere.Photo:Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Do you want to build a snowman? Patti Murin’s daughterfinallydoes, over four years after the actress ended her run as theoriginal Annain the Broadway musical adaption ofFrozen.The actress tells PEOPLE she “tried for three years” to get her oldest daughter,Cecily, “to like"Frozen. “And all of a sudden she turned four and she was like, ‘I think I’m Elsa.’ “Murin, who spoke with PEOPLE at opening night ofGypsystarring Audra McDonald at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway, says her response to her daughter’s sister preference was “Oh, okay.“Mom, instead, agrees it’s “correct” to say that she’s the Anna to Cecily’s Elsa. Adding: “Also she has a little Anna in her little sister.“Murin, 44, shares Cecily anddaughter Lorelai, 20 months, with husbandColin Donnell.The girls, Murin says, “are so different, but so similar,” calling them, “the best.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest storiesShe adds that Cecily, in addition to being a newFrozenfan, “loves singing. She can sing.“Patti Murin, Colin Donnell and their daughters Lorelai and Cecily.Patti Murin/InstagramWhile chatting with PEOPLE, Murin and Donnell also open up about their dream Broadway roles. Murin’s is a “revisal revival” ofAnnie Get Your Gun. “A revisal revival, because it needs to take out a lot of the racism,” she explains. “But yes, I think Annie Oakley in a new production would be my absolute dream.“Donnell has his sights set on another classic musical:Singin' in the Rain.“I’ve always wanted to doSingin' in Rain,” he says.

Do you want to build a snowman? Patti Murin’s daughterfinallydoes, over four years after the actress ended her run as theoriginal Annain the Broadway musical adaption ofFrozen.

The actress tells PEOPLE she “tried for three years” to get her oldest daughter,Cecily, “to like"Frozen. “And all of a sudden she turned four and she was like, ‘I think I’m Elsa.’ "

Murin, who spoke with PEOPLE at opening night ofGypsystarring Audra McDonald at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway, says her response to her daughter’s sister preference was “Oh, okay.”

Mom, instead, agrees it’s “correct” to say that she’s the Anna to Cecily’s Elsa. Adding: “Also she has a little Anna in her little sister.”

Murin, 44, shares Cecily anddaughter Lorelai, 20 months, with husbandColin Donnell.

The girls, Murin says, “are so different, but so similar,” calling them, “the best.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

She adds that Cecily, in addition to being a newFrozenfan, “loves singing. She can sing.”

Patti Murin, Colin Donnell and their daughters Lorelai and Cecily.Patti Murin/Instagram

Patti Murin/Instagram

While chatting with PEOPLE, Murin and Donnell also open up about their dream Broadway roles. Murin’s is a “revisal revival” ofAnnie Get Your Gun. “A revisal revival, because it needs to take out a lot of the racism,” she explains. “But yes, I think Annie Oakley in a new production would be my absolute dream.“Donnell has his sights set on another classic musical:Singin' in the Rain.“I’ve always wanted to doSingin' in Rain,” he says.

source: people.com