Not as comical as "Aladdin" nor as magical as "The Wizard of Oz," the latest big-screen adaptation from Feld Entertainment for the ice is "The Spirit of Pocahontas."
"Spirit" is a key word, here, because Disney's animated film doesn't transfer frame-by-frame from the screen to the rink.But Jerry Bilik's excellent direction (and script), Alyja Kalinich-Clegg's colorful costuming, LeRoy Bennett's spectacular lighting (he uses the shimmering ice sheet like a painter's canvas), and Sarah Kawahara's choreography come together in a talent-filled show that should please both young and old audiences.
Even though these Feld/Disney collaborations are based on well- known stories, it's doubtful that the patrons expect detail-laden plots. Which makes "The Spirit of Pocahontas" a perfect subject. Historically, few facts were ever recorded about the relationship between the Indian princess and John Smith, the strapping British adventurer.
This makes it rather simple for the ensemble of skaters (mostly Russian and quite a few international medalists) to glide through the romanticized tale. Along the way, "Pocahontas" manages to touch on some serious issues - interacial relationships, tolerance for other cultures, concern for the environment, etc.
What makes this show really work, though, are the skaters.
Without first-rate performers in the leading roles, the big-budget scenery and special effects aren't worth it. But "Pocahontas" won't leave you disappointed.
Joanna Ng (pronounced "ing") fits the role of the legendary Indian princess perfectly. She looks exactly like Pocahontas should look, and she skates with grace and consumate skill.
Handsome and athletic Sergei Petrovski is also well cast as the bold, adventurous Capt. John Smith (not Joseph Smith, as my 2 1/2-year-old neighbor boy said).
Adagio team Andrei Khvalko and Elena Leonova were stunning as the mystical Spirits of the Wind, and Martin Forrest and Doug Barnhart provided ample amounts of comedy and energy as, respectively, feisty young Thomas and Wiggins, the greedy Gov. Ratcliffe's bumbling lackey.
Even more bold and daring routines were performed by Armen Saakian as Indian warrior Kocoum, who used his long spear as leverage for spectacular leaps and flips.
Historical purists will probably hate this show (they didn't care much for Disney's animated film). But producer Kenneth Feld knows his audience.
An arena filled with attentive youngsters isn't about to miss the show's underlying theme - that peace and kindness are more appropriate than violence and hatred in a world of many races and cultures. That's the real "spirit" of Pocahontas.