At ‘Disney on Ice,’ the magic never gets old
If my daughter had been asked to list the best characters in this year’s “Disney on Ice: Find Your Hero,” the Zamboni—that’s the machine that resurfaces the ice—would undoubtedly make her list. The way she jumped in her seat as she watched the vehicle glide across the surface of the ice was both hilarious and endearing. She’s growing up. What happens behind the scenes interests her as much as the show itself.
There were many elements in the show that surprised her and sparked her curiosity. When Maximus (“Tangled”) came out, she pointed at him and asked how they were able to make a horse wear skates. She also wanted to know how Isabela Madrigal (“Encanto”) came down from the ceiling, sitting gracefully inside her flowery frame.
“Snow in the Philippines! Snow in the Philippines!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she pointed at the white shower cascading from above. “Are they real snow or are they bubbles?” she asked. The magic doesn’t get old.
There were changes in the storytelling style this year. For one, audience members are no longer picked to join the cast on the ice. This change is refreshing, as it allowed the story to unfold more smoothly. The focus stayed on the performance, creating a more seamless and immersive experience for everyone. There was less need for the audience to respond to Mickey Mouse and the gang.
There was also a difference in the number of characters. Mary Poppins, “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” and other characters from classic films made an appearance last year, banking on nostalgia to invite people back to the venue.
Loud cheers
This year, “Disney on Ice” did not attempt to squeeze every famous Disney character into the nearly two-hour show. It took its time to play out the stories of the featured characters, performing beloved songs from their films and allowing the audience to enjoy the moments with them. And it worked wonders, especially for the young audience.
Ariel, Moana, Rapunzel, Belle, Elsa, Anna, and the Madrigal sisters—Isabela, Luisa, and Mirabel—all received loud cheers. The crowd was familiar with who they were, and their reactions were enthusiastic. The “Frozen” queens, Elsa and Anna, were still the most popular, judging by the loudness of the cheers. Olaf remained a scene-stealer. Kristoff, for his part, did somersaults on the side while the sisters hugged it out.
One could argue that the most popular characters were all female. But the male characters were well represented, too. Flynn Rider (“Tangled”), Gaston, Beast (“Beauty and the Beast”), Sebastian, Flounder, Eric (“The Little Mermaid”), Bruno (“Encanto”), and Maui (“Moana”) all had their share of the spotlight. An underrated number came from the Pub Thugs of “Tangled,” who performed “I’ve Got a Dream.”
The parades of dancers were breathtakingly beautiful. Elsa’s “Let It Go” remained a song everybody knew. The transformation of her red dress into the iconic blue one was truly magical. The parade of dancers was also a spectacular display of synchronized movements and costumes. In “Under the Sea,” their clothes glowed in the dark as marine creatures, taking the audience underwater with them.
“Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero” runs until Jan. 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
