Behind-the-Scenes: Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate
Page 2 of 5

Click here for a much larger version of this picture

�Nicole and Kenneth Feld are brilliant at pulling together just the right team for the right project,� Stuart said of the producers, who have been developing Disney On Ice shows for over thirty years. �And then Judy Thomas, the director of talent, she�s amazing at finding just the right talent for us to work with. So it�s kind of a magical process the way it all comes together. It�s a well-oiled machine, probably one of the best production companies I�ve ever worked for in terms of their infrastructure and their support, and I know that when the shows go out they�re going to be well-maintained because they have a great staff in place on the units. I just have a huge trust factor here.�

Costume designer Vanessa Leuck is also no stranger to Disney, having previously worked as an associate designer for both Disney On Ice and the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. Creating costumes for the ice show carries its own set of challenges, having to keep in mind the movement of the skaters while keeping the integrity of the characters through their costumes.

�It�s definitely a multi-layered design process and the way I started was by getting a lot of wonderful research from our team at the Disney offices in Florida and California and getting images from the animated films.� Leuck said.

A self-proclaimed long-time fan of Disney, (one of her favorite movies is Bedknobs and Broomsticks), even having worked as an intern at Disney right out of school, Leuck was already quite familiar with most of the characters. �But I got a lot of research from our team and looked at that very much and tried to stay true to who each character was.� she said.

Leuck had to find the right fabric choices that would like the characters but still read in an interesting way. �We�re dealing with amphitheaters so we need fabrics that don�t just look good from six inches away, but from 600 feet or a mile away,� she said, �but only looking at options that would move in the way we wanted them. Looking at the way Cinderella moves is different than the way Mickey Mouse moves, so choosing the correct kinds of fabric for each character.�

Using over 100 yards of fabric for the 800 costume pieces that make up the wardrobe, Leuck created specialized, skater-friendly looks while keeping each character instantly recognizable. Bearing in mind that chemicals in the ice break down natural fabrics, she searched for man-made options that would hold up and continue looking fresh. As a skater herself growing up, (designing her own costumes, of course), she understands the movements required by the cast and was able to bring that knowledge to her designs.

�For the princesses I chose lighter weight fabrics and did all chiffon skirts, lots of rhinestones and layering lace with chiffon with spandex and incorporating sequins,� Leuck said. �Whereas with Mickey and Minnie we used heavier, broader stroke kind of fabric to stay true to how they actually look and how they move.�

�Let�s Celebrate!� is unique in the fact that it doesn�t just bring one of your favorite Disney movies to life on the ice. It takes over 50 characters, shakes them up, swirls them around and pours them out into a colorful concoction that hits all the right spots and leaves you thirsty for more.

�That�s what made it so interesting because we weren�t following the traditional storyline. We created our own and the characters get to develop in a completely new way,� Stuart said.

Though you may see a variety of Disney personalities from various films in the same production, a parade at one of the theme parks for example, they remain somewhat disconnected. Rarely do you see characters directly interact with others who are not a part of their own stories. The theme of this show allows those invisible walls to dissolve, leaving our favorites to mingle freely with one another.

�For instance, the Valentine�s celebration,� Leuck said. �We have all the princes and princesses and the Fairy Godmother is interacting with Minnie who has a Valentine�s wish: she wants to meet the prince of her dreams - and we all know who that is - but along the way the Fairy Godmother introduces her to all the princes and princesses. It�s a fun way of presenting each one, kind of in succession, because you don�t usually see that. You usually see snippets of the movie.�

Not limiting the differences to story, you will hear some of your favorite Disney songs with a bit of a twist. �We�ve really updated the music in this show.� said Cindy. �It has more of a �Disneymania� feel, contemporary style,� Cindy said.

�Kiss the Girl� from �The Little Mermaid,� �So This Is Love� of �Cinderella� fame and the title song from �Beauty And The Beast� are among some of the tunes that were given more of a funkier, 2010 feel. showcasing some stunning pairs skating.

�That was a big step for us because we�ve been very traditional and it was just time,� Stuart said. �It was like, �Okay, well we�ve done it. How can we present them in a new light?� With all due respect to tradition, which I love - the tradition of the princesses, because I�ve certainly worked with my fair share of them as well - it was fun to zip it up a little bit and pick up the pace.�

From the moment you�re invited to �Be Our Guest,� the show whisks you off through a multitude of celebrations. You will experience a lively UnBirthday, attended by folks from all realms of the Disney kingdom, the cleanup of which, aided by Mickey and some ensorcelled brooms in a black light Busby Berkeley-esque precision number, is just as much fun as the party itself.

Such diversity of numbers in the show also means a huge array of costumes. �We had over 180 costumes and well over 50 characters that we showed off. Leuck said. �I really enjoyed the variety and I think it�s something the audience will really love too because we�re going through all these different holidays and celebrations that people experience throughout the year in their lifetime.�

Leuck�s enchanting designs are a feast for the eyes, as you take in 1920s revelers at a Mardi Gras party, witness a Happily Ever After with Mickey and Minnie transformed into Prince and Princess, and spy on Trick-Or-Treaters during the scariest night of the year.

�Halloween is so much fun!� Leuck says. �I sort of evoke the feeling of the Haunted Mansion with all of our zombie ensemble and trick skaters while having all of our wonderful villains on stage. It was a really wonderful, fun experience to get to design a wide variety of things and places and a feeling for all the characters and our wonderful ensemble members.�