Show Title = Disney on Ice Story Story 3
Genre = Ice Skating Show
Theater/City = Oracle Arena / Oakland
Production Dates = February 29 – March 4
Rating = 3 1/2 Golden Bridges
Reviewed By = Mauricio Segura
Comments
Whenever I sit down to review a Disney on Ice show, or any show for that matter geared towards children, I have to laugh. The reason is the kids don't read reviews. If they want to see a show, they're just gonna ask mommy or daddy to take them. If I, or a fellow writer give a lousy review, kids won't care! They'll still beg the parents and show up in droves. So, Here's my review for you grownups despite it not making any bit of difference.
The good news is this. The show is actually good and quite entertaining. Like all DOI shows, the audience is greeted by Mickey and the gang who introduce the story and main characters. The first half is then a mix of themes from Toy Story 1 and 2, complete with parachuting plastic army men and all your favorite Toy Story characters from the three eyed aliens to Woody and Buzz. Great dance themes like the Throwdown Showdown will have the kids out of their seats and the adults tapping their feet.
The second half of the show retells the 3rd installment of series where the toy's owner, Andy, is heading off to college. The toys get donated to a local nursery that turns out to be far from what they expect and it takes Woody, with help from Barbie, to be the hero and break them all out. Fun times ensue in between entertaining song and dance numbers, with one (the Barbie dance off) which will get the guys in audience to pay a little more attention.
Overall, you'll find this show will provide you with a good time. The only thing it lacked was the special effects other shows in the past have displayed. The theatrics and choreography wasn't quite on par either. However, if you've never seen a past edition of DOI, disregard what I just said. You'll have a great time!
Skater Interview
Matthew Kershaw
When growing up on the Isle of Wight in England, Matthew Kershaw was not a typical grade-schooler. Starting when he was 6 years old, Matthew woke every morning before dawn, traveled to the mainland to skate, and came back to his small island in time for school. His hard work paid off; he won his first medal at age 7, and went on to place 5th in the 2005 British Primary Championships and 3rd in the 2007 IJS Junior Qualifier, before landing a spot in Disney on Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3 in 2011.
A member of the United Kingdom’s National Ice Skating Association, Matthew enjoys traveling with Disney on Ice. “I love being able to bring entertainment to other people,” he says, adding that he wants audiences to feel they get the most value possible from his performances.
Matthew hopes to tour with Disney on Ice as long as he can, and his ultimate goal is to land a principal role in a Disney on Ice show. When he someday returns to England, he would like to finish his coaching qualifications and help young skaters achieve their dreams. His advice for kids who want to become ice skaters is simple. He says, “If you want it, go get it!”
Matthew was nice enough to take a few minutes to speak with us. Check out what he said...
GBM - When and how did you first realize you
wanted to become a professional ice skater?
Matthew - Well, Ive been skating since I was 6
years old, and my parents had always taken me to shows in England. It
looked like an amazing experience and I always wanted to do it. I've
always enjoyed performing and I new it would be something I would end
up doing eventually.
GBM - Great! Now, taking young skaters into
account who might wanna follow in your footsteps, how does one get a
spot in Disney on Ice. Can you tell me a little about your journey?
Matthew - Certainly! I was competing at a senior
level in Briston up until 2010. That was the extent of my skating. I
had some friends who were skating for Disney and they gave me the
contacts where I had to send a video of my skating skills and tricks.
I sent it off and they called me for an audition which was held at
Wembley in England.
GBM - Oh wow, Wembley? Talk about
intimidating!
Matthew - Ya right? Ha ha! So ya, I nailed the
audition, and the rest as you can say is history I guess.
GBM - Exiting process.
Matthew - Yes!
GBM - What would you say is the most
enjoyable aspect of being a part of Disney on Ice?
Matthew - Oh, that's tough. There are a lot of
aspects. Like being from Merry Old England, I've seen amazing places
in California, Florida... But, its definitely gotta be when I'm on
the ice, and I see the kids going wild, you know, they're loving it?
We have a part in the show called, Throwdown Showdown, from Hannah
Montana but with Woody's roundup gang. All the kids get up and start
dancing, and it's a wonderful thing to see from the ice.
GBM - I bet! It pumps you guys up at the
same time.
Matthew - Exactly, ya. Its the longest part of
the show at about 9 minutes, and 6 minutes into the show. So at that
point, we're all like, ya c'mon let's party. And we know it's just
going to be a wild experience.
GBM - The wilder the better. What
character(s) do you play?
Matthew - I'm part of the ensemble. I'm one of
the dancers in the Throwdown Showdown, I'm also in the beginning when
all the main characters are getting introduced. Everyone loves that
bit. Then I'm on again in the finale.
GBM - What goes into putting this show on?
How long did you have to rehearse and get down the choreography
before stepping into the ice in front of a live audience?
Matthew -We started in Mexico in August. This is
the second year of the tour, but my first. We had, I think, five days
to learn the entire show.
GBM - Five Days???
Matthew - Ya, nutts, I know. After that, we flew
in at night and spent the next three days on ice practicing before
finally stepping out in front of the audience. It was very hard, very
demanding. But quite rewarding once it was done live.
GBM - And you make it look so easy, Who
would've known!
Mathew - Laughs
GBM - What about travel. You're practically
in a new city every week. Do you get to sight-see, or is it merely
work and no play?
Matthew - Well ya, the majority of time we do. I
mean, we got into San Jose at half past ten on Monday. So yesterday
we had the day to relax. We won't have too much time away while were
here, but hopefully when we get to Florida, we'll have more time to
relax and enjoy the area.
GBM - Florida is nice. Any word on moving on
to Europe?
Matthew - I'm not quite sure at the moment. It
hasn't been determined, but I would love to go to Europe and
especially back home in England.
GBM - Right, nothing better than performing
for the friends and family.
Matthew - Ya, you got it.
GBM - Do you miss being away from home?
Matthew - Well ya! These days its easier,
especially with performing. But like the holidays, Christmas was
pretty hard. But at the same time, all of us here are like one big
family. We look out for each other and that's good.
GBM - Well said. Back to the show itself,
I've often heard it said that if you've seen one Disney on Ice show,
you've seen them all. What would you tell those people to convince
them to go see Toy Story 3?
Matthew - Yes, well the Toy Story movies are
quite popular as it is. In the first half of our show, we have a
mashup of Toy Story 1 and 2. But in the second half it just Toy Story
3, where we introduce new characters only seen in that 3rd film. So
we incorporate things from all three movies and its fun to watch the
reproduced live on ice. They'll see things that will make them say,
Oh yes, I remember that part. The younger parents might have grown up
with the first two, so their still fans. But its totally different
seeing live and its a great experience.
GBM - Great. I'll wrap it up with this.
Personally, what are your plans after Disney On Ice?
Matthew - I'd like to get as much experience in
this and see where it takes me. I would love to someday coach. Id
love to pass on my experiences and professionalism forward. Maybe
even tour some more as much as I can.
GBM - Well I wish you the best. It's been fun
talking to you and I thank you for taking the time to sit down and
share a little of this cool ride your on.
Matthew - Ha ha! Thank you, it was fun!
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See you at the show!
Cheers!!