High School Musical Still Hot on Ice: Well-Known Dance Moves Go Even Faster on Skates
By Jill Moon, The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.
Mar. 12–ST. LOUIS — Although “High School Musical” is now on ice, its heat still melts tweens’ hearts.
“Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour,” launched in September, brings not just one, but both of the phenomenally successful “High School Musical” TV movies to youngsters in a production that fuses story, song and dance. The ice show opened Wednesday at Scottrade Center and runs through Sunday.
Disney on Ice, now 28 years old, looks at what’s popular and trendy with children and usually brings animated films to life through choreographed ice skating.
“This year, it’s evident that ‘High School Musical’ became a phenomenon very quickly and kids not only relate to it, but embrace it — from decorating their lockers to singing the songs. The Ice Tour is just another way kids can experience the fun in a whole new way,” said spokesperson Donna Larkin for “High School Musical: The Ice Tour” and Feld Entertainment, which operates Disney on Ice.
She added that children cannot get enough of “High School Musical,” so the ice show stays true to the movies’ plots.
The first act takes fans through characters Troy and Gabriella meeting during Christmas break, and Gabriella moving to Troy’s hometown of Albuquerque, N.M. The second act follows “High School Musical 2.” The soundtrack for both acts is exactly the same as the movies.
“Kids recognize it and sing along and cheer for their favorite characters,” said Larkin who has witnessed audiences’ reaction since the tour’s launch. “They dance in the aisle and they all know the Wild Cats’ moves.”
The main difference between the ice show, the movies and the recent stage production that was at the Fox Theatre, is the speed of the dance moves. On ice, dancers move like quicksilver.
“It’s faster because of gliding and the ability that skates allow,” Larkin said. “But all of the moves are authentic. Our main goal was when the audience comes to see the ice tour, they do recognize all of the moves from the movies”
In fact, the same Emmy-winning choreographer, Charles Klapow, who won for “High School Musicals’” choreography, arranged the ice tour’s dance moves as well.
“He never skated before,” Larkin said. “He recognized how these moves transformed to the ice at much faster speeds — and he had to learn how to skate.”
Also, due to the enormous success of “High School Musical,” for the first time Disney has three units of the same production touring at the same time. Two productions are crisscrossing the country and one is touring overseas.
Larkin described “High School Musical’s” enthusiastic fan base as that similar to those of “Grease,” the wildly popular 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as opposites who attract in high school. Its popularity thrives through this day and peaked throughout the 1980s.
“‘High School Musical’ has been like the modern day ‘Grease’ in many ways with the plot boy meets girl, but the underlying messages are things we’re trying to teach our kids every day. And it’s about acceptance.”
Larkin explained that throughout the show as the story develops, everyone realizes they need to accept people for who they are and that one person can have many different interests.
“Kids love it for the music, story and energy. And the adults like the message,” she said.
Larkin described the ice tour’s atmosphere as that of a rock concert with spectacular lighting.
Tickets for “High School Musical: The Ice Tour” range from $16 to $42.50 and can be purchased at hsmtheicetour.com, Ticketmaster and the Scottrade Center box office.
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Copyright (c) 2008, The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.
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