Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Disney On Ice Presents Frozen

It seems like it was yesterday when Frozen swept across movie screens and dazzled audiences around the world with its heartwarming story and unforgettable soundtrack. But believe it or not, it debuted almost a year ago, and the film’s gone beyond the box office in generating what’s become a booming franchise for Disney. Turns out no one can let “it”—the phenomenon that is Frozen—go.

This month, fans can enjoy Disney On Ice presents Frozen, a brand-new experience inspired by the film, which kicks off its domestic tour in Orlando, Florida. For producer Nicole Feld, this wintery tale was a perfect fit for the arena medium. We recently sat down with Nicole to get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming production.

Disney on Ice Presents Frozen, Producer Nicole Feld
What has it been like to develop this show with Disney Theatrical Group?
We have such a great relationship with Disney. The team always keeps us apprised of new content, and Frozen has been in that pipeline. The expectation is very high, and not just because of the quality we like to create for our Disney On Ice shows. Our audience knows every line, music chord, and character so well.

When did your team decide to adapt Frozen for the ice?
We were invited to early screenings of the film, and we felt it would be a beautiful story for the ice.

Anna and Elsa in Disney's Frozen on Ice
We heard you partnered with Frozen directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, along with Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter to bring Disney On Ice presents Frozen to life. What was it like to work with them?
They are wonderful partners and have been involved every step of the way. Everything from just looking at costume designs to giving our team really great feedback and insight about these beloved characters and character development.

What was your favorite scene from Frozen to re-imagine for the show and—we have to ask—will there be snow?!
We spent untold hours conceiving the “Let It Go” scene. We’ll even have special effects to form different types of snow. Anything from light snow to heavy snow and a full-on blizzard!

What are you most looking forward to with this production?
This Disney On Ice production is sure to touch audiences emotionally though the innovative show elements we’ve developed and world-class skating. And there’s nothing more exciting than enjoying an experience with people who share the same passion.

And lastly, which Frozen character do you identify with the most?
I definitely identify with the sisters, especially Elsa, because I have two younger sisters and I’m the oldest. The power of love between sisters is so special; it really is an unbreakable bond.

ABC Announces Season 19’s Dancing with the Stars Cast

Season 19’s cast of celebrity dancers includes a fashion icon, a YouTube sensation, a NASCAR legend and a movie star, to name a few. The stars will grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” which airs Monday, September 15 (8–10:01 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. One couple will be eliminated on the Dancing with the Stars results show the following day, Tuesday, September 16 (8–9 p.m. ET).

The 13 professional dancers teaching the celebrity cast how to bring heat to the dance floor are Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Allison Holker, Derek Hough, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater and Karina Smirnoff. Two-time Mirrorball champion and movie star Julianne Hough joins Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba at the judges’ desk.

As announced this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America by Dancing with the Stars hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, the 13 celebrities (in alphabetical order) heading to the dance floor this season with their professional partners are:

Jonathan Bennett—Though his striking good looks may have made Jonathan Bennett an object of affection for the ‘plastics’ in Mean Girls, his talent and commitment are what have led him to become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood.

Tommy Chong—Grammy®‎-winning comedian Tommy Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to comedy and American counterculture as part of the legendary comedy team Cheech & Chong.

Randy Couture—As a six-time World Champion and Hall of Famer in the fastest growing sport in the world, Randy Couture is a true icon in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Betsey Johnson—Known for her over-the-top celebration of the exuberant and the embellished, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960s.

Lolo Jones—Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Lolo Jones is one of the greatest track athletes of her generation and one of the greatest American hurdlers of all time. In addition to appearances at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics for hurdles, Lolo became just the 10th American in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, as a member of the U.S. Bobsled Team for the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.

Bethany Mota—In only five years, YouTube sensation, fashion designer and beauty expert Bethany Mota has become one of the most recognizable names on social media. Today, Bethany’s YouTube channel has more than seven million subscribers, and her videos have been viewed almost 500 million times.

Janel Parrish—Born in Hawaiʻi, Janel Parrish plays Mona in the top-rated ABC Family TV series Pretty Little Liars.

Alfonso Ribiero—Alfonso’s interests and loves vary from acting, best known for his role as Carlton Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to his active career today as a television director, host and voice-over.

Sadie Robertson—Sadie Robertson is well known for her dimples and engaging smile, but there is more to the 17-year-old charmer and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty than that. She’s also a high school athlete and motivational speaker.

Antonio Sabato Jr.—Antonio is widely known for his fan-favorite role as Jagger Cates on ABC’s General Hospital and for playing Jack Parezi on Melrose Place. He was also featured in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue. He’s also a fitness and auto-racing enthusiast and an accomplished author of No Excuses: Workout for Life.

Tavis Smiley—Tavis Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS, as well as The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International.

Lea Thompson—Lea Thompson is perhaps best known for her role as the various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in Back to the Future I, II and III and as the star of Caroline in the City.

Michael Waltrip—Michael Waltrip is a winning professional racecar driver, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, a widely recognized network racing commentator and author of a best-selling biography.

Casting Announced for North American Tour of Disney’s Newsies

Disney Theatrical Productions is pleased to announce full casting for the eagerly anticipated North American tour of Broadway’s Tony® Award-winning smash hit musical, Disney’s Newsies. Rehearsals began on Wednesday, September 3 in New York City in preparation for the first performance on Saturday, October 11 in Schenectady, New York, at Proctors. During its first year of touring in the 2014–15 season, the production will play 25 cities, over 43 weeks.

The production features Dan DeLuca as Jack Kelly, Steve Blanchard as Joseph Pulitzer, Stephanie Styles as Katherine, Angela Grovey as Medda Larkin, Jacob Kemp as Davey, Zachary Sayle as Crutchie, and Vincent Crocilla and Anthony Rosenthal alternating the role of Les.

Rounding out the cast are Mark Aldrich, Josh Assor, Evan Autio, Bill Bateman, Joshua Michael Burrage, Kevin Carolan, DeMarius Copes, Benjamin Cook, Julian DeGuzman, Nico De Jesus, Sky Flaherty, Steve Greenstein, Jon Hacker, Jeff Heimbrock, Stephen Hernandez, James Judy, Meredith Inglesby, Eric John Mahlum, Ginna Claire Mason, Michael Ryan, Jordan Samuels, Jack Sippel, Melissa Steadman Hart, Andrew Wilson and Chaz Wolcott.

Newsies, the new American musical, features a Tony Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Newsies is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award for his work. The entire creative team is reuniting to bring the breakout, smash musical to audiences across North America.

For more information, visit NewsiesTheMusical.com/Tour, Facebook.com/Newsies and Twitter.com/Newsies.

Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces Frozen Fever Animated Short

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes the new animated short Frozen Fever, welcoming back to the big screen Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf.

Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and produced by Peter Del Vecho, with an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Frozen Fever marks the first project reuniting the Oscar®-winning original team from Disney’s Frozen.

The announcement was first made within the ABC Television Network special The Story of Frozen: Making an Animated Classic, which aired September 2.

In Frozen Fever, it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk. The short debuts Spring 2015.

Happy Haunts Delight During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort

Not-so-spooky ghosts and goblins return this fall

—while dastardly villains unleash some mischief—during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, delighting fun-seekers of all ages in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

On 26 select nights now through Halloween night, October 31, Magic Kingdom will host this spooktacular after-hours party from 7 p.m.–midnight.

Disney villains take center stage in 2014 with the Villains Mix & Mingle—Live on Stage castle show, and Club Villain, an all-new nightly character dance party experience that takes over the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland. Mischievous villains will also be available for guests to meet all night long in locations throughout the park.

Presented in a decorative box, the limited-edition graphic MagicBand will include the event logo. It will have an edition size of 5,000 and will retail for $29.95 (plus tax). Guests must present one of the following for the MagicBand to be linked to at the time of purchase.
Presented in a decorative box, the limited-edition graphic MagicBand will include the event logo. It will have an edition size of 5,000 and will retail for $29.95 (plus tax). Guests must present one of the following for the MagicBand to be linked to at the time of purchase.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party features Disney characters donning their favorite Halloween costumes, while partygoers navigate treat trails and candy galore throughout the Magic Kingdom themed out for happy haunts. Partygoers can show their Disney Side and dress up in favorite costumes and explore classic Magic Kingdom attractions as well as the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Guests attending the event will also find a few apparel items for adults and kids, including both long and short sleeved options plus a ladies’ cut T-shirt. A slightly altered event logo was used for the limited-release pin.
Guests attending the event will also find a few apparel items for adults and kids, including both long and short sleeved options plus a ladies’ cut T-shirt. A slightly altered event logo was used for the limited-release pin.

Eerie entertainment features the twice-nightly Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, led by the infamous Headless Horseman, at 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. And HalloWishes, a green-and-orange fireworks spectacle complete with Disney villains, caps the evening festivities at 9:30 p.m.

Party dates for 2014 are: September 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26 and 28 and October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31.

23 Jobs Donald Duck Has Attempted

In celebration of the 90th anniversary, we are taking a look at Donald Duck’s job history.

In the early days, Donald had an exaggerated waddle because the animators found it difficult, on paper, to distinguish between a duck and a goose—we’re assuming that’s what made him so cranky. But his waddle has never held him back from his ambitions. He’s tried many, many jobs. Somehow, though, nothing ever works out as planned.

Donald Duck as a Scout Leader (Good Scouts, 1938)
Scout Leader (Good Scouts, 1938)
Donald Duck as a Logger (Up a Tree, 1940)
Logger (Up a Tree, 1940)
Donald Duck as a Steam Shovel Operator (Dragon Around, 1954)
Steam Shovel Operator (Dragon Around, 1954)
Donald Duck as a Dancer (Hawaiian Holiday, 1937)
Dancer (Hawaiian Holiday, 1937)
Donald Duck as Santa Claus (Toy Tinkers, 1949)
Santa Claus (Toy Tinkers, 1949)
Donald Duck as a Musician (Trombone Trouble, 1944)
Musician (Trombone Trouble, 1944)
Donald Duck as a Melopoioi (Donald in Mathmagicland, 1961)
A Melopoioi (Donald in Mathmagicland, 1961)
Donald Duck as a Fire Chief (Fire Chief, 1941)
Fire Chief (Fire Chief, 1941)
Donald Duck as a Camper (Grin and Bear It, 1954)
Camper (Grin and Bear It, 1954)
Donald Duck as a Hotel Bellboy (Bellboy Donald, 1942)
Hotel Bellboy (Bellboy Donald, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Birdfeeder (The Trial of Donald Duck, 1948)
Birdfeeder (The Trial of Donald Duck, 1948)
Donald Duck as a Menagerist (Fantasia 2000, 1942)
Menagerist (Fantasia/2000, 1999)
Donald Duck as a Babysitter (Donald's Happy Birthday, 1949)
Babysitter (Donald’s Happy Birthday, 1949)
Donald Duck as a Soldier (Donald's Diary, 1954)
Soldier (Donald’s Diary, 1954)
Donald Duck as a Photographer (Grand Canyonscope, 1942)
Photographer (Grand Canyonscope, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Hobbyist (Test Pilot Donald, 1951)
Hobbyist (Test Pilot Donald, 1951)
Donald Duck as a Baseball Player (Slide, Donald, Slide, 1949)
Baseball Player (Slide, Donald, Slide, 1949)
Donald Duck as a Paranormal Investigator (Lonesome Ghosts, 1937)
Paranormal Investigator (Lonesome Ghosts, 1937)
Donald Duck as a Paratrooper (Sky Trooper, 1942)
Paratrooper (Sky Trooper, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Boxer (Canvas Back Duck, 1953)
Boxer (Canvas Back Duck, 1953)
Donald Duck as a Explorer (Frank Duck Brings Em' Back Alive, 1942)
Explorer (Frank Duck Brings Em’ Back Alive, 1942)
Donald Duck as a Clock Cleaner (Clock Cleaners, 1937)
Clock Cleaner (Clock Cleaners, 1937)
Donald Duck as a Sailor (Chips Ahoy, 1942)
Sailor (Chips Ahoy, 1942)

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic Interactive Experience Debuts

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic is an all-new, original special in a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Lincoln Square Productions and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The special ventures behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the origins and evolution of the Academy Award®-winning film Frozen, now the biggest animated feature of all time. A breathtaking and fantastic saga, the special tells the real story of making a modern movie based on a timeless tale that nearly overnight became a cultural touchstone for legions of fans.

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic airs Tuesday, September 2 (8–9 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Click here for the interactive experience.

Viewers will get a rare look inside Walt Disney Animation Studios

. . . and unprecedented access to the creative team that brought Frozen to life. Throughout the one-hour special, the audience will hear from Frozen stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the directors, songwriters, producer, artists and chief creative officer John Lasseter—the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a big-screen animated musical. Viewers will take a journey to the beautiful Norwegian villages and landscapes that inspired the look of the fictional kingdom of Arendelle and see images and footage from the research trips to Norway, Quebec and points beyond that helped create the film’s unforgettable look and feel.

This special will also include some exciting announcements about the next chapter of Frozen and a never-before-seen preview of Frozen characters Anna, Elsa and Kristoff on an upcoming episode of ABC’s smash-hit Once Upon a Time.

The program will culminate in an exclusive sneak peek at the action-packed comedy-adventure Big Hero 6, currently in production at Walt Disney Animation Studios—under wraps until now—as the team prepares their next big-screen epic.

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic is hosted by star Josh Gad (voice of Olaf) and features interviews with Frozen stars Kristen Bell (voice of Anna) and Idina Menzel (voice of Elsa), as well as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer and Frozen executive producer John Lasseter, Academy Award-winning filmmakers, including directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, producer Peter Del Vecho, and songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. This one-hour special will also feature exclusive insights and commentary from art director Mike Giaimo and talented artists from the art direction, animation and effects teams.

Marvel Announces Star Wars Legends Epic Collections Beginning April 2015

Marvel is excited to announce the release of an oversized dose of a galaxy far, far, away—Star Wars comics are coming to Marvel’s prestigious Epic Collection format, Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 1 TPB.

the few Jedi that remain must decide whether to hold true to their faith or abandon it completely . . .

Marvel welcomes Star Wars to the Epic Collection program with this first volume of a series focusing on the years that follow Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith! After the end of the Clone Wars, the Republic has fallen and Palpatine exerts his ruthless grip on his new Galactic Empire. Now, the few Jedi that remain must decide whether to hold true to their faith or abandon it completely in the face of a brutal purge—one carried out by the new Dark Lord of the Sith.

Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 1 TPB will offer a new way for fans to collect and read iconic Star Wars stories across the past 35 years of published titles.

These oversized, self-contained color collections will bring the adventures of the Rebellion, the Galactic Empire and more to the masses with exciting new Epic Collections.