‘Disney on Ice presents Frozen’ to debut in Orlando in September

From the beginning, its creators and movie critics said Disney’s animated film “Frozen” was made for a large-scale, live production. Though some speculated Broadway would be first, it looks like Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf will take to the ice before the stage. Disney on Ice has just announced a new production for 2014 based on the movie “Frozen.”

Feld Entertainment will launch its new show, “Disney on Ice presents Frozen” in Central Florida in September. Tickets go on sale to the public on June 3 through Ticketmaster, but pre-sale codes are available now. (Try “SPRING.”)

Central Florida residents and visitors will be among the first to see the new “Frozen” adaptation. For years, Ellenton, Fla.-based Feld has used Lakeland and Orlando as a starting point for new Disney on Ice productions, and this tour is no exception. From here, the production moves to Rhode Island, Virginia and Tennessee.

If you have “Frozen” fans at your house, you know the enchanting story of the royal sisters that centers on Elsa’s spectacular powers. So, you can imagine that it will take some real Disney magic to recreate the forces that divide the sisters before love brings them back together. The New York Times reports that “patrons could expect a blizzard created by 20 snow machines, a stage inspired by a six-sided snowflake and towering video projection panels that, among other things, would simulate the movie’s jagged North Mountains.”

With such dynamic sets, the directors hope to recreate the emotional journey that the movie inspired in its audiences. In addition, they will rely on Frozen’s popular music — including the songs “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper” — to engage the viewers.

But, of course, the main attraction is the amazing performances by the professional skaters. I found it interesting that Patty Vincent, the director of “Frozen” on ice, told The New York Times that the Feld team worked closely with John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the film’s directors and producers to choreograph the skating. Vincent was quoted as saying, “They helped us with Elsa’s style of movement – balletic, vertical – and how it differs from Anna, who is more playful and horizontal.”

Typically, Disney on Ice shows feature a large cast of characters in various vignettes to appeal to a spectrum of fans, but “Disney on Ice presents Frozen” will mainly focus on the new hit. Still, viewers will briefly see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who will introduce the show, and there will be special appearances by beloved Disney princesses and favorite characters from Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo” and Disney’s “The Lion King.”

“Disney on Ice presents Frozen” will be at Orlando’s Amway Center for seven performances: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. 7 p.m. Sept. 6; and 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Tickets are $16 to $65 and can be purchased at the Amway Center box office or through Ticketmaster.

To find out about other Disney on Ice productions on tour, read my previous stories here and here.

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