FAMILY : ‘Disney’s World on Ice’ Gives ‘Snow White’ a Flashy Edge

Kenneth Feld, a producer of spectacles such as Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, apparently has that Midas touch when it comes to selecting the right mix of romance, comedy and technical wizardry to entice a broad audience. A good example: “Walt Disney’s World on Ice--Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” a two-hour ice extravaganza that features all the above elements plus some admirable and, in some cases, remarkable skating talent.

A virtual retelling of the 1937 Disney movie “Snow White” is being presented through Jan. 15 at the Pond of Anaheim before moving to the Long Beach Arena Jan. 17-21.

Written by Feld’s theatrical director and music director Jerry Bilik with the aid of Disney creative staff, this ice-adapted version tries to please a big crowd from the start. The opening production number, “Reading Is Fun,” features a sampler of tales-turned-Disney-films, including “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid” (the costume department really went all out on the latter; keep an eye out for Ariel’s ice-going pylon), all of it hosted by the book-loving Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and of course, Mickey Mouse. The number concludes with a splashy introduction to the featured story.

Up to now, the skating has been adequate but not remarkable, except for a brief appearance by athletic pair skaters Serguei Boroda and Tatiana Tropina. But Karen Preston’s arrival as Snow White turns heads. Preston, a member of Canada’s 1992 Olympic team, is a powerful and precise skater whose routines are marked by bold triple leaps. Even when her character is supposed to be weak at the knees over the Prince, she exudes strength.

Unfortunately, at this performance, her Prince faded by comparison. Serguei Tartykov was out of the show with a back injury, and the pair numbers with his substitutes (a different chorus skater took the role in each act) suffered. Tartykov is expected to return to the show by the second week of the Anaheim run, a company spokeswoman said.

* “Walt Disney’s World on Ice--Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” The Pond of Anaheim. Performances continue Tuesday at 7:30 p.m, Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Also Friday, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m. and Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. $10.50 to $16.50; limited rink-side seating at $30. (714) 704-2500 or (714) 740-2000. Running time: 2 hours. Long Beach Arena, Jan. 17-18 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 19 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m; Jan. 20 at noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 21 at noon and 4 p.m. (310) 436-3661, (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000.