...the Disney Princess

Pinay skater to play Princess Tiana on ‘Disney On Ice’

 

By Karen Valeza

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 

Fri, Dec 23, 2011

 

Mickey and Minnie Mouse grace the "Disney On Ice" press conference recently. (Marlo Cueto, NPPA Images)

A Filipino skater is among the main talents performing on “Disney On Ice”, which returns to Manila starting December 25, 2011 and runs until January 3, 2012 the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Justine Lopez will play Princess Tiana, main protagonist in   Disney’s 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog.”

“It’s exciting for us to bring a local Filipino back to the Philippines for a show. It’s exciting for us to be able to provide something extra for the audience,” Zac Ellard, Feld Entertainment’s Regional Marketing Director for Southeast Asia and India said.

The loudest audience

Zac shared that his team enjoys performing before the Filipino audience since it is one of the loudest and most receptive in the world.

“Filipino audiences are one of the loudest in the world. We always get good reception from you.  It’s most exciting to both experience a show and be the one performing when the audience is enthusiastic.”

Zac also cited the Filipinos’ love for celebrations.

“We are very excited to be back in Manila. We’ve heard that Filipinos love celebrations and love to have a good time. This is going to be a one big celebration with your favorite Disney characters, with lots of unique set designs and costumes,” he goes on.

The Philippines is the show’s first stop in Asia this year.

“Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!” stars Mickey and Minnie Mouse plus  Disney characters from different Walt Disney films and shows, including Snow White, Cinderella, Belle and Mulan and  charming male characters Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Woody, and Buzz Lightyear, among others.

Through Mickey’s "Digital Global Destinator,” “Disney on Ice” will present various festivals and holidays celebrated all over the world, including Chinese New Year and Rio de Janiero's Carnivale.

52 characters

According to Zac, this year’s “Disney on Ice” is their biggest show ever, as it brings a 52 characters, including newbies like Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen of “Princess and the Frog.”

It also features Valentine’s Royal Ball with Princess Tiana, Merry UnBirthday Party with Alice and Mad Hatter, Jack Skellington’s Halloween Party with Disney villains and Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch.

“It’s colorful and exciting. No matter how old you are, you’re gonna enjoy it. We hope to give you a chance to experience the Disney characters which you loved while growing up,” Zac relates.