A cavalcade of beloved characters will strap on some skates to the delight of spectators when “Disney on Ice” comes to the area through Feb. 2 at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J.
Celebrating “100 years of magic,” Disney will bring 65 of its most unforgettable characters from 18 of its classic stories to life — including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney princesses. The production includes moments from hits like “The Lion King” and “Toy Story.”
“Our show is a variety show so it has a lot of stories in it, from classic to old to new,” out cast member and ice skater Tommy Do said. “We have the classic stories of ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Mulan’ to the newer ones like ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘Finding Nemo.’ We have a lot of princes and princesses, so Cinderella, Pocahontas and Snow White are in the show.”
Do, a Boston native who has been skating sing he was 5 years old, said that all of the performers in the Disney cast take on multiple roles in the show.
“Because it’s a big show we all play many characters,” he said. “There’s a small-role section where we do green Army men from ‘Toy Story’ to soldiers from ‘Mulan.’ So I play a number of parts. I’m also an understudy for Aladdin and Woody.”
The children of this generation may be hipper, more tech-savvy and less jaded than those of previous generations, but Do said both kids and their parents love to see characters they loved growing up take to the ice.
“For our show, there is a huge range,” he said about the age of the audience. “We tell a bunch of stories that are relatable to younger kids as well as older audience members. The younger kids love the ‘Finding Nemo’ section. It’s really cute. There are bubbles involved. The older audience members love the ‘Mulan’ section. It’s very dynamic and there’s a giant battle scene between the Army and the Huns. It’s a spectacle.”
With the elaborate costumes and show-stopping skating routines, Do said the “Disney on Ice” shows are every bit as challenging to pull of as routines you will see in the Olympics.
“Technically, I think our show is very advanced,” he said. “I think we have some Olympic team members on our cast. The amount of jumps and the technical ability we are able to consistently land and do in each show is magnificent. We’re a very technical show.”
Do added that the audition process for the roles in the production is pretty involved.
“Usually they have you send in a videotape showcasing your skill and artistic ability,” he said. “Then they see if you are fit and if you can fit a role in the show before bringing you in for a live audition. Then they see your technical abilities in person as well as artistic abilities. They’ll also have you skate in groups because there are a lot of big production numbers. They want to see if you can acclimate to the environment, learn a routine quickly and jibe with a group. They are looking for people who are eager to learn. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect in your audition. They are just looking for people who are positive and really excited to learn new things.”
Though performing in “Disney on Ice” is a lot of work, Do said, he enjoys touring and the camaraderie of traveling with his fellow performers.
“The atmosphere and the touring lifestyle is something that I’ve grown accustomed to and really enjoy,” he said. “I really enjoy my cast. It’s a really big family. Everyone is supportive of each other and encouraging. Everyone tries to stay fit and healthy. Also, being in different cities every week is fun. We have people from all around the world: Japan, the Ukraine, Russia, the States and Brazil.”
He added that, with so many characters in the Disney cannon, there is the potential for other characters to make appearances in future productions.
“This show is set but you never know,” he said. “They might decide next year to add new characters. ‘Disney on Ice’ shows are always changing. There are eight running ice shows right now. They are always changing. They are always updating them and adding new characters. So you never know which ones they use.”
Beyond his adventures on the ice, Do hopes to establish himself entertaining people with his sense of humor.
“I’m an aspiring comedy writer so I’ve been taking classes at the Upright Citizen Brigade in New York City,” he said. “So I’ve been working towards that. That’s what I’m embarking on next.”
Check out “Disney on Ice” through Feb. 2 at Sun National Bank Center, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-656-3200 or visit www.disneyonice.com.