FAMILY

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

‘DREAM BIG’

Disney on Ice skates into the Footprint Center

By Jordan Houston

Disney on Ice is encouraging kids to “Dream Big” through the ice skating tour of the same name.

Presented by Feld Entertainment, the tour kicks off the New Year in Phoenix with seven performances from Thursday, January 13, to Sunday, January 16, at the Footprint Center. The show will feature Walt Disney favorites, including Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle and Genie, while highlighting the magic and adventure of their tales through worldclass figure skating.

Disney On Ice veteran skater Frederic Allain, a native of Canada, assures that “Dream Big” is guaranteed fun for “the whole family.”

“We have 10 Disney stories all mashed up into one show, and it includes classics like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and goes all the way up to more modern stories like ‘Moana’ and ‘Frozen,’” Allain says.

He plays Aladdin in “Dream Big’s” opening segment.

“There is really a little bit for everyone, whether you are the parents who have seen Disney since you were a child, or literally someone much younger that is now discovering all of these Disney stories,” he says.

“If you have a favorite character, it’s probably going to get showcased.”

Audience members can join Moana and Maui on an “action-packed voyage to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti,” as well as explore the Land of the Dead with Miguel from Disney Pixar’s “Coco” for an immersive celebration of Día de los Muertos on ice.

Rapunzel will captivate viewers during her “hair-raising quest to see the floating lights,” while “Frozen” icons Anna, Elsa and Olaf hit the rink in a dramatic retelling of the sisterly love that saved the kingdom of Arendelle.

“We always try to keep things fresh,” Allain says. “We’ve added newer stories to the show to make sure we’re up-todate with today’s stuff.”

“Dream Big” will honor the strength, bravery and kindness of Disney’s original characters “who stole the hearts of millions” across TV screens over the last 90 years, such as Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Cinderella.

For Aladdin aficionados, Allain says his opening segment as the “street urchin” is “super high energy” and engaging.

“I get to run around the marketplace and there are guards chasing me because I’m a ‘street rat’ trying to steal food to help other people,” the former competitive ice dancer says. “I eventually meet Princess Jasmine and go on a magic carpet ride and it’s a super romantic number with high-risk elements and beautiful costumes.”

On July 14, 2021, Disney on Ice celebrated its 40th anniversary and became one of Disney’s longest licensees.

“We have skaters who come from so many backgrounds and so many countries,” says Allain, who has been performing with Disney On Ice for 12 years. “We’re a very international cast and super diverse, but we all get together because we have this passion for skating and performing and that’s just rewarding on its own. I don’t feel like I’m working, it’s just something I love to do.”

Although Disney on Ice was paused during the COVID-19 lockdown, the promoter, Feld Entertainment, emphasizes promoting Guest Wellness Enhancements “to help keep families safe at its live events.” Show venues, including Phoenix, will follow COVID health and safety standards in accordance with all federal, state and local guidelines.

“After the COVID year where a lot of our shows were canceled, we’re happy to be back and to get people outside of the house to have a moment with their family and have something special to bring home,” Allain says.

“Dream Big” isn’t the first Disney gig under the ice dancer’s belt. Allain also participated in Disney on Ice presents “Rockin’ Ever After,” “Princesses & Heroes,” “The Wonderful World of Disney” and “Treasure Trove.”

A self-described Disney kid, Allain says his relationship with the entertainment giant has evolved since joining the Disney on Ice team in 2009.

“I actually really did love Disney movies as a kid,” he says. “It’s funny, touring with Disney on Ice, I kind of relearned all about the Disney movies as an adult. You see them in a totally different way. We’ll watch them to study how people move, how people act and their reactions because we want to portray all of their characters.”

Allain, who competed in seven national ice dance championships and two international competitions representing Canada, recalls his passion for figure skating as a child, despite growing up in a hockey-obsessed country.

At 8 years old, Allain found his “ice” legs after his dad built an ice rink for him and his sister in their backyard.

“(Canada) is a big hockey country and I think my dad always wanted to push me to be a hockey player,” Allain says. “My sister and I would skate night and day and twirl around, so I begged to go to skating lessons. I got to join a learnto-skate figure skating class and I fell in love.”

With the support from his parents, Allain competed with the junior national team as an ice dancer until his early 20s, he explains.

When the skater retired from competing, the Disney on Ice opportunity presented itself two years later.

“What I find really enjoyable about performing for Disney on Ice is seeing people’s faces — especially the kids,” Allain says.

“A lot of them will come dressed up as their favorite character and when they see you perform, everyone feels like they’re in the story and that they’re a part of it. Any time I see somebody’s excited face, it brings joy to my performance and gives me energy.”

Disney on Ice Presents “Dream Big”

WHEN: Various times Thursday, January 13, to Sunday, January 16 WHERE: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $20 INFO: disneyonice.com, footprintcenter.com