Disney History, Packed on Ice

From Mickey to Mulan, Pinocchio to Pumbaa, Cinderella to Simba, Belle to Buzz Lightyear, to infinity and beyond--it’s not such a small world after all.

Condensing Disney’s history into the two-hour “Disney on Ice: 75 Years of Disney Magic” was a daunting task that undoubtedly required a bit of that ol’ Disney magic.

The result is an ice show that puts together numerous aspects of the Disney conglomerate, including characters, music and theme park attractions.

“It’s an incredible assembly of the favorite pieces throughout Disney’s history,” says Sarah Kawahara, the Emmy-winning choreographer and West Lake resident who put the familiar characters in sync on the ice.

“Jiminy [Cricket] is kind of the storyteller in the beginning,” says Kawahara, describing her fourth turn with Disney on Ice. “You also get to hear Walt Disney’s voice. It’s really touching.”

Kawahara, 46, remembers “The Mickey Mouse Club” and “The Wonderful World of Disney” from her childhood and believes that grown-ups as well as children will identify with at least some of the characters from decades past.

The show opens in the first of three Southland venues on Friday, at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. Stints at the Long Beach Arena and the Los Angeles Sports Arena will follow.

The “story” begins the way the studio did, with a mouse. The production numbers offer abridged versions of popular story lines to fit the variety show format.

With “Pinocchio,” for example, “you get to meet the Blue Fairy, Geppetto, Pinocchio and the whale in the course of eight minutes,” says Kawahara. “When we do ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Snow White’ and ‘Aladdin,’ they’re in a collage of princes and princesses.”

The most fun for Kawahara is the “Mulan” segment, which she calls “a wonderful, dramatic piece of dance.”

“[Mulan] changes right before your eyes, into a wedding dress, into a man’s clothing [disguising herself as her father]; dramatically, it’s one of the more exciting moments.”

There are many contrasts in the show, ranging from the dramatic and athletic skating in “Mulan” to the precision movements of the toy soldiers in “Toy Story,” to the grand spectacle of “It’s a Small World,” with floats to represent the continents. There’s also comic relief from Goofy and his all-star hockey team.

Kawahara, who’s worked for both arena and televised ice shows, is a veteran on the ice and behind the scenes. Formerly a principal skater for eight years with the Ice Capades, she slid almost effortlessly into the role of choreographer nearly 20 years ago. She has created routines for Peggy Fleming and Scott Hamilton and is director-choreographer of “Champions on Ice.” Her work can be seen on a television special featuring Michelle Kwan, airing Jan. 20 on ABC.

Married to Jamie Alcroft, half of the comedy team Mac and Jamie, Kawahara takes their three kids along during rehearsals in Florida, where the show’s producer, Feld Entertainment, is based.

“The kids have really grown up around both our shows,” says Kawahara. “They get very attached to the different casts.”

Kawahara, a self-described “hands-on” choreographer, works closely with the talent coordinator in selecting the skaters. One of the things she looks for is speed.

“I don’t like to watch skating and not feel it,” she says. “I think that’s the whole point--I want to give the sensation of wind and speed and feel the athleticism.

“There’s a time and place to be overwhelmed by the total look of [a show], like in ‘A Small World,’ ” she says. “And there’s another time and place where you’re inside the battle with Mulan, feeling the tension, feeling you’re a part of it. I think the [audience] will definitely feel it--and wait till you see the whale. . . .”

* “Disney on Ice: 75 Years of Disney Magic,” Arrowhead Pond, Friday throughJan. 1; Long Beach Arena, Jan. 3 through 7; L.A. Sports Arena, Jan. 10 through 15. Tickets $11.75 to $19.75 through Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000. For more information, log on to https://www.disneyonice.com.