I received tickets to Disney on Ice Presents Frozen to facilitate my review. I have not been compensated for sharing my experience with you, which I do in hopes that you, too, will have a lovely time at the show!
First, what to know before you go:
- Find your local listings at ticketmaster.com
- There are pyrotechnics in this production, but no strobe lights.
- The noise level varies from quite moderate to very loud at times. It never got as loud as say, front row at a rock concert, but sensitive individuals might want to consider earplugs or noise cancelling headphones.
Disney on Ice presents Frozen surprised me by being even MORE visually spectacular than other Disney on Ice presentations I’ve seen. From the incredibly detailed costumes to the incredibly vibrant color palette, the show was eye candy from start to finish. The iconic costumes were, obviously, interpreted for freedom of movement, so if you have an active princess on your hands, you might want to fuel her imagination with one of these versions, if you can.
If you or your kids are the kind of die hard fans who cannot enjoy a movie made from a favorite book because it differs one iota from the original, then keep in mind that this show, like all the Disney on Ice shows, is adapted from the movie, not a live presentation of the original script. What you’ll find are spectacular renditions of your favorite musical numbers, exciting action sequences, some impressive skating, and a very high energy production that anyone would enjoy, whether they know the story or not. (Psst- want to hear a crowd full of strangers burst into song? Play the first few bars of “Let it Go!”)
The show opens with a dance-along segment that encourages the audience to “Do the snowman!” This was a huge hit with every kid within eyeshot. It was a great way to make them all feel like they were part of the show from the very outset- particularly since the performers were dressed in athletic gear, rather than dressed as characters. These kids shone as they danced along and waved their hands in the air. (It was also a really good way to get some of the wiggles out before the action started.) Disney fans will be glad to know that all their favorite characters make an appearance during the opening sequence, starting with Mickey and Minnie. It wouldn’t be a Disney show without Mickey and Minnie!
The show itself did a superb job of building the story arc. I know any time you’ve abridged something or changed the format there’s always a concern about how well the tale will be told, but the backstory and pivotal events were presented in a way that felt clear and concise. (Do I have to even tell you that the performers were well rehearsed, that their skating and timing were flawless, and that they brought the characters to life? I would be shocked to see anything less from a Disney on Ice production.) The set design appears minimal at first, so when the entire town square materialized out of what seems like nowhere, I couldn’t help but be impressed. The use of color and lighting to indicate mood and foreshadowing was simply delightful. It was possibly most impressive during the scene when the sinister wolves attack. Deepening shadows and glowing eyes in the costumes created a startlingly convincing illusion of a pack of wolves.
The characters encourage the audience to sing along during the closing musical number, much to the delight of a great many excited children in the audience. When you and your family spill back out into the real world with the rest of the audience, you’ll no doubt see, like I did, that you are surrounded with delighted faces. I was leaving at an hour when many a child is well into Cranky Town, but all I saw were smiles.
For a better idea what to expect, check out my photos. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge!
Frozen on Ice Review http://t.co/OaxA8g941p