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You Cannot Resist The Joy Of ‘Disney On Ice’—So Don’t Even Think About It

Mickey, Donald and Daisy in “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!" (Greg Cook)
Mickey, Donald and Daisy in “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!" (Greg Cook)

At “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!,” the skating spectacular at TD Garden in Boston through Feb. 23, you’ll delight at the familiar faces of the more than 50 Disney characters, and hum along to all your favorite Disney tunes, and dreams will really come true. Really.

Come dressed in your own ball gown with tiara or Mickey Mouse ears. And when the wicked witch offers Mickey a poisoned apple, join everyone in the hall in yelling “No!” And all will be happily ever after. And during too.

If you love Disney, you’ll definitely get what you paid for—a glittery, buoyant, musical ice-dancing review set to catchy pre-recorded music (as they do with Olympic figure skating) and the barest excuse of a story (a compendium style that has been in the Walt Disney Studios’ repertoire since, at least, the 1940 film “Fantasia”). There are some nifty leaps and lifts and twirls by princesses and princes, but nothing so daring as to hazard a fall. It’s cozy comfortable like that.

Belle from the 1991 film "Beauty and the Beast." (Greg Cook)
Belle from the 1991 film "Beauty and the Beast." (Greg Cook)

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel (with legs), Belle, Tiana, Tinker Bell, Cruella De Vil, Baloo, Stitch, the “Toy Story” gang and various and sundry princes all make appearances as the show celebrates birthdays, Halloween (boo, Jack Skellington), Christmas and international adventure. This is the studiously multicultural Walt Disney Company of the past two decades—a pageant of diversity including a Chinese dragon dance, a Japanese cherry blossom spring fan dance and Brazilian carnival. Did I mention that there are also fireworks and sparking magic wands?

The show runs two hours, including an intermission halfway through—long enough to buy light-up souvenirs, scarf down a hot dog, get through the line for the bathroom, and still return to your seat in time for the second act.

OK, if you don’t happen to love Disney, stay home, because this sugary confection won’t change your mind.

Greg Cook is a co-founder of WBUR’s ARTery. Follow him on Twitter @AestheticResear.

Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey dances with magical brooms from the 1940 film "Fantasia." (Greg Cook)
Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey dances with magical brooms from the 1940 film "Fantasia." (Greg Cook)
Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy from the 1940 film. (Greg Cook)
Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy from the 1940 film. (Greg Cook)
Snow White, from the 1937 Disney film, gets a lift from her prince. (Greg Cook)
Snow White, from the 1937 Disney film, gets a lift from her prince. (Greg Cook)
Jack Skellington from the 1993 film "The Nightmare Before Christmas." (Greg Cook)
Jack Skellington from the 1993 film "The Nightmare Before Christmas." (Greg Cook)
Jasmine and Aladdin from the 1992 film "Aladdin." (Greg Cook)
Jasmine and Aladdin from the 1992 film "Aladdin." (Greg Cook)
Fa Mulan and Li Shang from the 1998 Disney film "Mulan." (Greg Cook)
Fa Mulan and Li Shang from the 1998 Disney film "Mulan." (Greg Cook)
Villains Maleficent from 1959 film "Sleeping Beauty" and Jafar from the 1992 film "Aladdin" emerge from a foggy Halloween gate. (Greg Cook)
Villains Maleficent from 1959 film "Sleeping Beauty" and Jafar from the 1992 film "Aladdin" emerge from a foggy Halloween gate. (Greg Cook)
Tiana from the 2009 Disney film
Tiana from the 2009 Disney film " The Princess and the Frog." (Greg Cook)
A romantic parade of princes and princes ends the first act of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!
A romantic parade of princes and princes ends the first act of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!" (Greg Cook)
Minnie is the star of a Japanese cherry blossom spring fan dance. (Greg Cook)
Minnie is the star of a Japanese cherry blossom spring fan dance. (Greg Cook)
The Christmas finale of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!
The Christmas finale of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!" (Greg Cook)
Fireworks light up the Christmas finale of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!
Fireworks light up the Christmas finale of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate!" (Greg Cook)

This article was originally published on February 15, 2014.

Headshot of Greg Cook

Greg Cook Arts Reporter
Greg Cook was an arts reporter and critic for WBUR's The ARTery.

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