'Frozen' tale leads Disney on Ice's 'Princesses & Heroes' production

Fittingly, the lead characters in the grand finale of Disney on Ice's “Princesses & Heroes” are both princesses and heroes.

While classic Disney characters like Cinderella, Rapunzel and Snow White remain beloved, the hottest Disney product these days is “Frozen.” And that's what gets the longest portion of the production opening March 4 at Consol Energy Center, Uptown.

Royal sisters Anna and Elsa don't need prince counterparts. They are Disney's version of the modern woman and present an empowering message, says Alexe Gilles, 23, who plays Elsa.

“Both Elsa and Anna are strong characters ... and have a lot of confidence in themselves,” Gilles says. “They're not afraid to do what they want to do. They just believe in themselves.

“What comes out of this story ... is very different from the Disney original ones, where everyone falls in love.”

But this Disney on Ice show is not just for girls. Young boys — who show up often dressed in princely garb, just like girls frequently dress in princess costumes — can enjoy the show just as much, Gilles says.

Besides “Frozen,” “Princesses & Heroes” includes eight stories: “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cinderella,” “Tangled,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

“That's what makes the show so good for the entire family, old or young,” says Ryan Coombs, 24, who plays Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” segment. “We've got the stories from our parents' childhood to our stories today, so it really is for everyone.”

Coombs, who has been with Disney on Ice since 2008, says audience reactions have been wonderful.

“The response ... has been unlike anything I've ever heard before,” she says.

The main stage piece on the ice is a giant castle that metamorphoses — with the help of Tinkerbell's magic — throughout the show to play roles in each of the eight stories, which flow and transition seamlessly into each other. In the “Frozen” portion of the show, the castle transforms into an ice castle, with a snowflake chandelier.

“Every segment has different colors and sounds and effects and Disney magic,” says Gilles, whose hometown is Colorado Springs, Colo. “It's overall an amazing show. ... It's like a traveling Disney World and Disneyland coming to every city. It's very, very special.”

“You get your fill of one story, and before you know it, you're on to the next with the blink of an eye,” says Coombs, a Pennsylvanian whose hometown is Warren, Warren County.

In “The Little Mermaid” portion, special effects simulate waves and bubbles to create an underwater theme. The audience will get an abridged version of the story, with the cast of characters including Sebastian the lobster, Ursula the sea witch, and, of course, Ariel and Prince Eric.

The skaters act out the stories physically, but a recorded soundtrack provides the voices and singing, so that the characters' voices match the movies.

Skaters perform some sophisticated figure-skating moves like jumps and spins in their choreographed routines. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Tinkerbell serve as ever-present masters of ceremonies, while other core Disney characters like Donald Duck and Goofy make cameo appearances.

Gilles says that when costumed performers skate on the ice, their characters and stories become very real to them, as they do to the audience.

“You just finish your number, and you take it all in,” she says. “You almost just have to pinch yourself and say, ‘Is this really happening?' That kind of reaction is what keeps us going every day.”

And don't worry moms and dads, your kids will hear their favorite song: “Let It Go.”

Kellie B. Gormly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at kgormly@tribweb.com or 412-320-7824.