Broadway star Patti Murin reveals that she had to drop out from Frozen on Broadway this week after she suffered from a major anxiety attack.
On Tuesday, April 17, Murin, who plays the role of Princess Anna on the stage adaptation of the animated movie, was absent in the show. On Wednesday, April 18, she explained why.
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The 37-year-old took to social media to explain her absence from the April 17 show and discuss her mental health struggles to the public.
"So last night I called out of the show because I had a massive anxiety attack in the afternoon," she shared to fans on Instagram. "It had been building up for a while, and while the past month has been incredible, all of the ups and downs and stress and excitement really takes a toll on my mental health."
Frozen on Broadway opened last month, and although the reviews are lukewarm, it has had a very successful run so far.
"Anxiety and depression are real diseases that affect so many of us," she continued. "It requires a lot of rest and self-care to heal every time it becomes more than I can handle in my daily life."
The Broadway production is not Murin's first time under the spotlight. She also previously starred in Chicago Med on NBC from 2016 and 2017. She has been acting on the stage since 2007 and has appeared in productions of Nerds, Lysistrata Jones, and Xanadu.
However, not even the most successful of people are immune to mental health issues.
She also added that Disney and her costars have been supportive of her brief time away from Arendelle.
To conclude her post, she left an inspiring message to her fans: "Even Disney princesses are terrified sometimes."
Josh Gad, who played the role of Olaf in the original animated movie, supports the theater star. On Twitter, the movie actor admitted that he too suffered from anxiety for years.
Ben Platt of Dear Evan Hansen was also inspired by Murin's courage to open up about her mental health struggles.
Such an important post- thank you for sharing so honestly, I have SO been there many, many times. Your self-care and you are both inspiring. ️ — Ben Platt (@BenSPLATT) April 19, 2018
Tony-winning actress Kellie O'Hara was one of the people who has voiced her support and admiration for Murin.
I don’t think we talk enough about how much pressure goes into opening shows, running shows while heading into the expectations surrounding “award season” and trying to remember why we really do what we do. Rest Patti. Then sing. You be you. You got this & we get you. — Kelli O'Hara (@kelliohara) April 18, 2018
Her post comes shortly before she was recognized by the Drama League Awards for her performance on Frozen. The stage adaptation has received a nomination for Outstanding Production of a Broadway Musical. Murin and Jelani Alladin, who plays the role of Kristoff, also received a nod in the Distinguished Performance category.
Murin and her castmate Caissie Levy (Elsa) are both qualified for the Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical at the upcoming 2018 Tony Awards. Nominees will be unveiled next month.
