‘Pocahontas’ Hits Ice Disney Hit Carries On Tradition; Opens On Christmas At Arena

An ice show opening on Christmas night is a Spokane tradition going back decades to the days of the Ice Capades. The torch has been carried for the past few years by Walt Disney’s World On Ice, which has taken some of the company’s popular animated films and brought them to life on skates.

This year’s tour brings “The Spirit of Pocahontas,” based on the 1995 blockbuster film, to the Spokane Arena from Dec. 25-29.

The leap from animation, where anything is possible, to a live performance on ice, where reality is cold and hard, seems like a big one. The director of the production, Jerry Bilik, who was touring in Japan, talked by phone about making the transition work.

“Most people would consider it very different” from the movie, he said. “At first I wanted to stay close to the film, and then realized it is a different animal. So I took the basic elements of the film and reworked them for a new production.

“The theme can be reduced to nature versus usage, and we try to bring that out. Over time and the many productions we have done, we have paid very close attention to how the audience reacts. This way we know what works live and how far we can stretch the audience’s imagination.”

As far as sets and scenery, Bilik said, “We can fold up and go somewhere new each week. I think it takes 10 semis to carry our equipment. … We use a few props and a lot of lighting to suggest times and scenery, and the audience will paint the rest of the picture in their minds.

“We create the colonists’ and Pocahontas’ encampments, the river, the forest - which is decimated in the war scene - and even create a waterfall right in the middle of the ice with lights and sound. It is a delicate balance to maintain dignity. It’s a challenge, but great for creative people.

“If we failed, it would just look like some Las Vegas show doing ‘Cowboys and Indians’ complete with an ice show.”

Based on past Disney On Ice productions, this $8 million production should offer thrilling skaters, great costumes and lighting.

Choreography for the ice has been created by Sarah Kawahara, whose work is valued by the likes of Scott Hamilton, Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming. The 40-plus cast is coordinated to turn the rink into a stage. Athleticism and grace are combined to tell the story, using each skater’s talents to the limit. Kawahara was the choreographer for “The Wizard of Oz on Ice,” which has come to Spokane.

The title role in “Pocahontas” will be skated by an 18-year-old from California, Joanna Ng. She has given up competition and a possible spot on the 1998 U.S. Olympic team to become a professional performer, and is one of the youngest skaters ever to have a lead role in a major production. After “Pocahontas,” she has hopes of returning to competition and reviving her Olympic dream.

In other roles, Doug Barnhart plays the bumbling buffoon Wiggins, Skip Donahue will be the villain Ratcliffe (he was also the evil Jafar in “Aladdin”), Anne Ramos plays Nakoma, Armen Saakian skates Kocoum and Martin Forrest is Thomas.

John Smith will be skated by Russian Sergei Petrovski. The 6-foot, 3-inch blond not only looks like the captain, but is supposed to be as fearless on the ice as the character in the movie was adventurous.

The original film score has been used, with changes to make it work on the ice.

In the years I have seen these ice shows, the only caveat I can muster regards the sound level. The volume has straddled the line between wonderfully engulfing and a tad overwhelming, so if your ears are as wimpy as mine, packing a pair of earplugs isn’t a bad idea. You can still hear all of the great music and dialogue, but avoid the ringing after the show.

Bilik takes a great deal of pride in the entertainment value of the production. “It makes for an experience well beyond just recreating the story,” he says. “I have never seen anyone leaving the show disappointed, of any age.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PREVIEW Walt Disney’s World On Ice will present “The Spirit of Pocahontas” at the Spokane Arena on Dec. 25 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 27 and 28 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.; and Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $22.50 to $8.50, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.