Filipina skates as Disney princess

MANILA, Philippines - Feld Entertainment invites families to turn an ordinary Christmas into extraordinary with Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! on Dec. 25 to Jan. 3, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It features more than 50 classic and contemporary Disney characters in a captivating compilation of favorite holidays and celebrations from around the world.

Join Mickey Mouse and friends on a tour of festivities, jam-packed with fun surprises, spectacular skating and vibrant costumes. The storyline transports audiences to exciting events with their favorite Disney characters, including a Valentine’s Day Royal Ball with the newest Disney Princess, Tiana; a Very Merry UnBirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; Jack Skellingtonís frightfully festive Halloween party with the Disney Villains; and a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch.

There will be an abundance of colors, warmth and spirit to evoke wonderful holiday memories. To make sure the audience can relate to the unique parties, the creative team drew from their own personal holiday experiences. “We want the audience to feel like they are participating in the show, not that they are merely watching it,” says director Patty Vincent.

Scenic designer Robert Little sets the ice with iconic props that mirror each unique celebration. Picture this: An illuminated cherry blossom tree or sakura; a Winter Wonderland of gleaming white lights; and an elegant canopy of shimmery fuchsia chiffon drapes on the ice for the Valentine’s Day Royal Ball. Writer Jerry Bilik says, “Mickey even causes a few mix-ups with his Digital Global Destinator, but in the end, everything wraps up in one of the happiest celebrations ever!”

From twisting and fire-twirling Hawaiian luau dancers to zombie-like movements of ghoulish groupies in the Halloween segment, choreographer Cindy Stuart adds, “We really stepped out of the box with the choreography for this show. The line production numbers revolve around the celebrations which are not necessarily part of the Disney stories we have worked in the past. Every number is new and different from the others.”

The costumes are expected to be just as spectacular. Costume designer Vanessa Leuck’s vivid assortment used color to capture the intrinsic look of each celebration. Each scene is a visual masterpiece — from silky kimonos made of lavender and pink florals for Japanese sakura to citrus-colored feather headpieces for Brazil’s Carnival to iridescent whites for the Winter Wonderland scene. Leuck says, “I wanted each scene to be different in color, silhouette and mood, but I wanted to tie everything together with a cohesive look that was modern and fresh.”

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! is the first of a series of new ice spectaculars that Filipinos will experience in the next five years. Zach Ellard, Feld Entertainmentís regional marketing director for Southeast Asia and India, during a recent press conference at the Gateway Suites, revealed that there would be two Filipina skaters in the production, one of who will play the newest Disney Princess Tiana.

Justine Brittany Biacora Lopez, portrays Princess Tiana, the main protagonist in Disney’s 2009 film, The Princess and the Frog. Twenty-three year old Justine was born and raised in California and is the daughter of Danilo Martinez Lopez and Lorna Reyes Biacora from Batangas. It is her first visit in the Philippines and she is reconnecting with family. “If time permits, I am looking forward to visiting my parentsí hometowns and meet my relatives there. If not, I wish to see them watch me perform inside the Big Dome,” says Justine.

Justine Lopez portrays Princess Tiana, the main protagonist in Disney’s 2009 film, The Princess and the Frog.

 Justine muses on how she started with Disney, “A friend of mine from back home was a performer in one of the shows. She had mentioned to me that there was a possible hiring and would love it if I could come with her. I called up the casting director. Within a couple of weeks, I compiled my old skating videos and created an audition video and sent it to him. When the group performed in my hometown, I requested the casting director if I could audition in person, luckily it was granted on Valentine’s Day.” 

 She is aiming for a double major in English and Mathematics from the American River College and despite Disney’s hectic schedule she “fervently hopes to take classes during my break on tour and start attaining my credits.”

 Justine’s first role was Pocahontas in Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic, where she played Tinkerbell’s fairy friend Iridessa. She has then performed on three different shows and has skated with the group in shows within the US, Canada, Japan, China and other Southeast Asian countries.

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! is presented by Araneta Center, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Lactum, Meralco, Philippine Airlines, TV5, Manila Bulletin, Fox International, Summit Media, Disney Junior, Inquirer.net, 99.5 RT, Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Holiday Inn and H.M. Transport.

Tickets are priced at P1,500 (Patron VIP/Lower Box VIP; P1,200 (Patron Regular/Lower Box Regular); P950 (Upper A Premium); P675 (Upper A Regular); P370 (Upper B); and P150 (General Admission). Special discounts are available for Visa Cardholders and family bundles. Tickets are available at TIcketnet (tel. no. 911-5555).