SUPERHEROES

Imagine a scene out of the old television commercials. A microphone-wielding interviewer walks up to a family of superheroes and asks, “You’ve just saved the world from destruction. What are you going to do now?”

The reply? “We’re going to Disneyland!”

Put that scenario on ice skates and you have the premise for “A Disneyland Adventure,” the latest production from Disney on Ice, featuring the stars of the Oscar-winning animated film, “The Incredibles.”

“A Disneyland Adventure” comes to the Spokane Arena for an eight-show run beginning Wednesday. It follows the Incredibles – Bob, Helen, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack Parr – as they hang with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, ride the famous teacups and blast off on Space Mountain with Buzz Lightyear.

Previous Disney on Ice shows have closely followed the plot of successful Disney movies such as “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Beauty and the Beast.” “A Disneyland Adventure,” however, is based on an original story.

The Parr family, fresh off of saving the world from the maniacal villain Syndrome, decide to recharge with a trip to the “happiest place on Earth.” While there, they try to blend in with the normal tourists.

But when evil strikes during the famous Disneyland parade, the Parrs transform into the Incredibles to save the day.

Putting the story to ice proved to be a relatively easy task, said choreographer Cindy Stuart, “due to the fact that it was specifically written for the ice.”

Without the confines of a hit movie to replicate, the creative team was able to be clear going in about what they wanted to present to the audience.

That freshness reflects in fan interest, too, said James Hicks, group ticket sales coordinator for WestCoast Entertainment.

“Having a different story is the huge thing about this year that’s making it stand out,” Hicks said. You can’t see the story at home on DVD, he added.

“The only way you’ll be able to see it is by going to the Arena.”

The show features about 10 big production numbers set in iconic Disneyland settings, including Main Street U.S.A., the Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion – “Which is a wonderful waltz,” Stuart said – the parade, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

“I love that,” Stuart said. “The teacups are my favorite ride in the park.”

The creative team relied on their own childhood recollections of the theme park along with material gathered on more recent trips. Not only did team members aim to keep it set in the era of the “Incredibles” movie – the 1960s – they tried to incorporate many of the park’s iconic images.

With the popularity of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movies, for example, the production had more license to incorporate images from the ride into the show (Yes, the three guys in the jail cell are still trying to lure the keys away from that dog). Only the whole thing is set on the ice, and without animatronics.

“We just physically create that movement on our own,” Stuart said.

Finding a skating “language” for the family of superheroes took some work, although Stuart added that the characters being human rather than say, fish, helped immensely.

From superhero poses and stances, the team created a body of movement to help the skaters re-create their superpowers on the ice.

“You think of skating, and you think it’s classically trained,” she said. “We went for strength and power.”

Unity is part of that, Stuart added. The Incredibles are a family.

When they slip into those costumes to save the day, they move in unison, giving an even bigger impression of strength.

Then there’s casting, which has a big role in bringing the characters to life.

“Dash is very quick and fast on his feet. Bob is enormous – big and strong,” Stuart said.

The job of playing Helen – Elastigirl – did pose a little challenge.

“Obviously we can’t have 10-foot long arms out there,” Stuart said.

But they do employ some special effects to help enhance the image, she said, adding, “We have a skater in that role who is very flexible.”

The Disney on Ice show has been a tradition in Spokane. Kelsey Booth, marketing director for the Spokane Public Facilities District, said the shows remain popular with local skating fans.

“They did ‘Nemo’ last year, and that did very well with our ticket buyers,” she said. “People expect it every year. It’s a different show, but they know they’re going to get the same great entertainment.”

With the U.S. Figure Skating Championships to be held in Spokane in January, interest in skating is high, Hicks said. But the ticket prices for the championships may be more than some are willing to pay, he added, with the premiere events going for $50 a ticket and higher. Disney on Ice is an affordable alternative.

“For those who can only afford one of these events, (Disney on Ice) is a good option,” he said.