Mickey Mouse and friends are gliding into Phoenix and inviting families on an icy, magical adventure.
Through artful skating performances, “Disney on Ice presents Into the Magic” will bring everyone’s beloved characters to life and transform the ice into a story scape celebrating bravery, love and adventure. Produced by Feld Entertainment, the tour will play seven performances from Thursday, October 6, to Sunday, October 9, at the Footprint Center.
“It’s just such a fun and vibrant show,” tour coordinator Clair Teson says. “I think it’s one of those shows that just keeps building and building and there’s something for everybody, so it doesn’t really matter which character you connect with most — at some point, you’re going to see them out there on the ice.”
Hosted by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, the audience is taken through many of Disney’s classic and modern tales during a two-hour graceful, athletic performance.
They will encounter Moana as she embarks on an ocean adventure with demigod Maui to save her island and cross the Marigold Bridge into the Land of the Dead with Miguel from Pixar’s “Coco” for a brilliant cultural celebration of family. Friends from “Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cinderella” will also appear on the ice.
Gems of educational elements are hidden in each tale, teaching the audience about being fearless, finding joy in discouraging situations, and the many learning experiences present in everyday life.
“One of the things I really like about ‘Into the Magic’ is that it really takes each storyline and expands on it, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything,” Teson says.
She notes Rapunzel’s story as a highlight of the show, which features the princess and Flynn Rider executing a “shocking” aerial silk performance. She also hinted at a number incorporating a “big, fiery monster” out on the ice.
While kids are getting settled into school this time of year, the tour coordinator says the show is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their young ones through experiencing the magic of “Disney on Ice” together.
“I just hope that they (guests) get to come and have a really good time, and then take that home with their family and those memories of what they saw,” she says. “The moments of awe where they’re just looking up and being amazed — that’s something they’ll be able to talk about forever.”
Since many events were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years, “Into the Magic” may be the first live entertainment experience for a number of children.
“It’s going to be really incredible to be back there and see the show actually happen and have the audience get to see what we had brought to them three years ago when we shut down, so I’m excited for Phoenix,” Teson says.
Launched in 1981, the “Disney on Ice” traveling team consists of a total of 90 to 100 people, including Teson and three other coordinators, nearly 50 performers, a sales team and crew members.
“It’s amazing when you look at what we produce every week and how there’s only five staff members behind the whole group putting all the pieces together,” Teson says.
“Disney on Ice presents Into the Magic”
WHEN: Various times from Thursday, October 6, to Sunday, October 9
WHERE: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix
COST: Ticket prices start at $20
INFO: disneyonice.com, ticketmaster.com
