Disney on Ice New Show Announced

Feld Entertainment(R) Presents Disney's Jungle Adventures on Ice In Its Twenty-First Disney on Ice(SM) Production; Two Productions to Travel Simultaneously in US and Europe

Today, Feld Entertainment, Inc., announced that its twenty-first Disney on Ice production, Disney's Jungle Adventures on Ice, will premiere on September 1 in Lakeland, Florida. A second tour of the show is set to make its international debut in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 27. This is the first time ever that Feld Entertainment has created two separate productions of the same show to tour simultaneously in the United States and abroad.

Disney's Jungle Adventures on Ice will showcase three of Disney's most triumphant animated hits -- The Jungle Book, Tarzan, and The Lion King -- by incorporating world-class figure skating with unforgettable musical numbers such as "Hakuna Matata" and "Circle of Life" and Academy Award®-winning hits like "You'll Be In My Heart" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." This lush production is backed by the strength and popularity of The Jungle Book, Tarzan and The Lion King, which have amassed a combined worldwide box office total of $1 billion.

The man behind this new production is producer Kenneth Feld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Feld Entertainment. "The concept for Jungle Adventures is really exciting because it's the first time we have linked three Disney stories together that have a common thread," Feld explains. "In addition to taking place in the jungle, they share similar morals about growing up and taking responsibility. This message is universal and translates to children all over the world."

The journey begins as the audience steps into the arena, which has been transformed into a verdant jungle garden complete with animal noises, drum beats and swirling mist. The international cast of 45 world-class figure skaters performs show-stopping stunts in and around the sets, which are arranged almost entirely in the round. As the show progresses, the foliage is peeled away before your eyes to reveal new views and vistas, transforming the deepest jungle into the African savannah.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy will be featured along with a cast of Disney's most beloved jungle characters including The Jungle Book's Mowgli and Baloo, Tarzan and Jane, who are making their Disney on Ice debut, as well as The Lion King's Simba and Rafiki, plus many, many more. The wise Rafiki serves as the show's narrator, and as Simba's mentor, Rafiki teaches important life lessons to him and to young audience members alike.

Leading the production staff is Disney on Ice veteran and Feld Entertainment's Senior Vice President of Creative Development, Jerry Bilik, who serves as director and music director. He and co-musical directors Jim Stemple and Stan Beard rearranged the well-known Jungle Book soundtrack to a swing beat to complement Barry Lather's intricate choreography. Lather, one of the entertainment industry's most sought-after young choreographers, also serves as co-director and has received recognition for his work with Olympic medallists Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton and Katarina Witt. Costume designer Frank Krenz is creating costumes for the lifelike animal characters. The extravagant jungle setting is recreated by scenic designer Robert Smith, and is accented by the lighting design developed by LeRoy Bennet who is recognized for his work with Prince.

Disney on Ice provides opportunities for families around the world to experience Disney in their own hometown. During its first year, Disney's Jungle Adventures on Ice will visit 34 U.S. cities including Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Indianapolis, IN; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; St. Louis, MO; Dallas, TX; Minneapolis, MN; Tampa, FL. The second, concurrent tour will visit 25 European cities including London, England; Stockholm, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; Brussels, Belgium; Madrid, Spain; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Dublin, Ireland.

The show is joining six touring Disney on Ice productions for the 2000- 2001 season, including domestic tours of Disney on Ice, 75 Years of Disney Magic, Toy Story, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Beauty and the Beast and international tours of 75 Years of Disney Magic, Toy Story, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Little Mermaid.

- Posted July 6, 2000

Source: Feld Entertainment Inc Press Release