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Fairy tale 'Fantasy' for families

By Courtney Devores
Correspondent
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/10/04/15/20/16UQ87.Em.138.jpeg|209
    WILLIAM WEST - Getty
    Tinker Bell performs during a Disney on Ice production of 'Worlds of Fantasy.' Worlds of Fantasy showcases characters from Cars, Tinker Bell, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/10/04/15/20/fiouy.Em.138.jpeg|500
    WILLIAM WEST - Getty
    Donald Duck and Minne Mouse perform during a Disney on Ice production of 'Worlds of Fantasy.' Worlds of Fantasy showcases characters from Cars, Tinker Bell, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.

More Information

  • Fairy tale 'Fantasy' for families
  • PREVIEW

    Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy

    WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 12; 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13; and noon Oct. 14.

    WHERE: Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St.

    TICKETS: $12-$72.25.

    DETAILS: 704-688-8600; www.ticketmaster.com.



Disney built its castle on fairytale princesses like Snow White and Cinderella, and later Pocahontas and Mulan.

But make no mistake: Disney On Ice’s current tour – “Worlds of Fantasy,” which begins a five-day run at Time Warner Cable Arena Wednesday – isn’t just a girls’ thing.

“All the (Disney On Ice) shows have a little bit for the boys. I feel like this one includes so many of the boys’ favorites, too,” says figure skater Dora Vikar, a native of Budapest who plays Jessie in the “Toy Story 3” segment, which spans the entire second half of the show.

In its first half, “Worlds of Fantasy” features life-size animatronic versions of the vehicles from Pixar’s “Cars,” Ariel’s undersea home from “The Little Mermaid,” and a pre-“Peter Pan” Tinkerbell’s coming-of-age story.

“It’s a great balance for the entire family,” says Scott MacDonald, performance director for Feld Entertainment’s “Worlds of Fantasy.” “During the song ‘Under the Sea,’ I even see ushers singing along.”

“Worlds of Fantasy” not only offers something new for its audience, but for its performers as well. The role of Jessie is a stylistic departure from Vikar’s former characters – “Pinocchio’s” Blue Fairy and Mrs. Incredible.

“The fairy was very graceful – this elegant, majestic fairy – and it was all hold your shoulders back. Mrs. Incredible is all power, down in the knees, and catty,” Vikar says.

“Jessie (is) this ball-of-energy tomboy. … You never stand with your feet together, limbs flying everywhere, a little looser. … You just slap your knee from time to time or make a lasso action with your hand – something you wouldn’t be doing in (most) competitive programs. I’m trying to portray her like you saw her in the movie – that’s the biggest tool I use.”

Vikar and MacDonald agree that it’s a completely different experience than the competition of their youth.

“There’s no judging. It’s truly for the enjoyment of the kids,” says MacDonald, who was a competitive skater before ducking behind the scenes with “Disney On Ice” 16 years ago.

“It’s the cutest thing when we’re walking out of the building or onto the bus,” says Vikar, who began skating at age 4. “You see kids dancing on the street in the little outfit they came in, in their cowboy outfit or little hat. We see it during the finale all the time. They dance or clap along, hands in the air, doing what we do.”

She hopes the show not only entertains, but inspires future skaters. “It’s such a unique sport. It’s athletic but artistic. You can be at any level. You can go around in circles on a pond, which is a lot of fun. If you know a little bit, you can really express yourself through skating.”


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