Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990 TAG: 9003310483
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TRACIE FELLERS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The show transfers the Disney animated classic from the screen to the ice with the help of colorful costumes, elaborate props and detailed sets.
About 60 cast and crew members are involved in the production, which chronicles Pinocchio's creation by the kindly woodcarver Geppetto and the adventures that follow.
The show went to 90 U.S. cities between 1987 and 1989, but "this is the first time a Disney family show has played Roanoke ever," said Scott Smith, regional vice president for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Inc.
Ice Follies, which produces Disney ice shows, is one of the companies affiliated with Ringling Bros.
After its first U.S. tour, the Pinocchio-theme show played in Japan. It started a swing through 25 more U.S. cities last week in Bethlehem, Pa., and will go to Europe this fall, Smith said.
The show "combines championship skating and the magic of Disney in a two-hour extravaganza. There's a theme and Disney music and it's like Fantasyland." Magic Kingdom on Ice is fun for the entire family - kids and adults, Smith said.
"The first time I saw one of our shows, I just thought it was the neatest thing I'd ever seen, and I was 23 years old."
The show features a strong group of skaters, Smith said. Grant Noroyan of Dearborn, Mich., plays Pinocchio. Noroyan joined Disney's Magic Kingdom on Ice in 1988 after a successful amateur career, which included four regional championships.
Kristiina Wegelius is the Blue Fairy, Pinocchio's heroine and rescuer. A Helsinki, Finland native, Wegelius was a six-time Scandinavian champion. She held that title from 1977 to 1983.
Other principal skaters are: Pairs team Eric Kerr and Toyka Raol and the Jackpots - Steve Bobola , Kevin "Macky" McDonald and Rob Rowntree - an ice comedy trio.
Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom on Ice opens at the Roanoke Civic Center Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the civic center and all Ticketron outlets, or can be ordered by calling (800) 543-3041 Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. 10 p.m.
***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on April 4, 1990\ "Disney on Parade," a stage show, played at the Salem Civic Center May 26-30, 1971, and the Roanoke Civic Center the following year. Because of incorrect information given to the newspaper, a story about the upcoming performances of "Magic Kingdom on Ice" in Monday's Extra section said the ice show was the first Disney production to come to Roanoke.
Memo: Correction