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‘Frozen’ joins ice show
By John Benson
Exactly a year has passed since the “Frozen” frenzy inspired preschoolers to tweens around the globe to incessantly sing “Let it Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” much to the chagrin of parents.
Now comes word a retooled Disney On Ice production, “Princesses & Heroes,” is rekindling the “Frozen” fire with a new tour that visits Covelli Centre on Thursday through Dec. 14.
“Once you get into the ‘Frozen’ production, it’s quite amazing how the audience, young and old, respond to the characters and also, most importantly, to the soundtrack, the songs themselves,” said Michael Hovda of Feld Entertainment, director of stage and ice operations for the show.
As for the role of “Frozen” characters in “Princesses & Heroes,” there’s Anna and Elsa along with hilarious snowman Olaf. These new kids on the block join Disney princesses Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White on an adventure thanks to the help of Tinker Bell’s magical pixie.
The show features quintessential Disney On Ice attractions ranging from amazing special effects to stunning set design and jaw-dropping choreography.
Hovda said discussions began more than a year ago between Feld Entertainment and Disney regarding how to best bring “Frozen” to the ice.
“Once the film actually opened, it just validated that yes, Feld and Disney were going in the right direction,” Hovda said. “And that this is the platform to put this in front of an audience and to continue to see the characters that they loved from the film in their hometown.”
That’s when it was decided to reshape its “Princesses & Heroes” production, which was already popular with the Disney On Ice female demographic.
As far as the mass popularity of “Frozen,” Hovda said you’d have to go back 20 years for a similar phenomenon where audiences couldn’t get enough of its story and characters.
“I would say something that would be similar would obviously be ‘Aladdin,’” Hovda said. “It was a huge success with a great response by the audience. But, of course, with ‘Frozen’ and where we are today, it’s even larger.”
Invariably, there will be a segment of the audience that attends Disney On Ice presents “Princesses & Heroes” expecting it to be all “Frozen.” So it’s those folks who, indeed, will be happily disappointed.
“I’d like to say people will be pleasantly surprised,” Hovda said. “Everybody has a favorite, and everyone’s favorite right now is ‘Frozen,’ but they also get to see all of the other different stories and characters that are featured throughout ‘Princesses & Heroes.’
“Also, you have Mickey and Minnie and Donald and Goofy telling the story as you go through this process. So the show is fresh and very exciting.”