Stepping Out

Some dreams really do come true

A journey through fairy tale wishes

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Mickey Mouse and his crew, along with some special friends, have hit the road once again to share some of their favorite fairy tales with their fans in Disney Live’s “Three Classic Fairy Tales.” Mickey and his best buddies are joined by Snow White, Cinderella and Belle, along with some of their pals and assorted evildoers for a spirited adventure on the stage at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday and Friday, April 16-17.
In true Disney style, “wishing is only the beginning” — as the Disney folks like to say — as scenes from each story come alive when these beloved tales make their way from their iconic film versions to the stage.
“With genuine Disney characters, familiar songs and nostalgia hidden in each storyline, “Three Classic Fairy Tales” is one of the closest and most intimate Disney experiences that we have ever produced,” according to Producer Kenneth Feld. “Audiences will leave the show inspired by the unwavering spirits these beloved princesses possess.”
The adventure begins when Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy — Disney’s version of the Fab Four — embark on an unexpected quest and find a magical storybook hidden in Mickey’s attic. The four pals curiously turn the pages and discover Snow White as she searches for her one true love, Cinderella getting ready for her magical night at the ball and Belle as she finds happiness in the most unusual place. Along the way, the audience is invited to join in on the fun by solving clues, clapping along and singing time-honored songs, such as “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,” “Heigh Ho” and “Be Our Guest.”
Nothing is more timeless than Disney’s classic animated films and the beloved characters who never cease to delight families are all here — more than 25 of them. They’ll have everyone singing along as they perform excerpts from their well-known tales with the audience helping to move the stories along.
“It’s an amazing show with dazzling special effects,” says Maggie Woodard, aka Cinderella.
“And it’s very exciting to see how the audience gets involved with the performers. In one of the scenes, Snow White asks the audience if she should take a bite of the poison apple and that gets a huge response. The younger ones really likes the interactive elements and for the parents and others in the audience, it brings back their favorite characters from when they were growing up. It’s exciting for everyone to see them come to life on stage.”
It’s 90 minutes of non-stop action. Snow White, Cinderella and Belle’s stories are retold in a way that keeps them fresh while maintaining all the iconic elements that hold their timeless appeal.
For the 28-year-old Woodard, who is appearing in her first Disney production, it’s certainly been a “happily ever after” experience. “The theater is new to me,” says Woodward, who was trained as a dancer. “I am enjoying my time on stage and love performing for our audiences.”
She brings plenty of familiarity to her role. It’s a character she knows well from her years interacting with visitors to Walt Disney World as Cinderella. “It feels even more special now, being on stage as Cinderella,” Woodard says. “Now I really feel like her, especially when she steps out onto the stage for the first time, wearing that beautiful dress, appearing with her fairy godmother. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn.”
The credit goes to Tony Award-winning Costume Designer Gregg Barnes who brought his theatrical touch to the show. He threaded together glittering embellishments to give the performers magnificent garments that sparkle and shimmer, adding to the overall spectacle.
“What’s spectacular about this production is that it lends itself to several different looks,” says Barnes. “In one act, the audience will see incredible range in the costumes, from the simple villagers in “Beauty and the Beast” to the glamorous gowns at Cinderella’s ball.”
The audience is involved from beginning to end. “When the clock strikes twelve, everyone reminds Cinderella that it’s time to go home,” says Woodard. “And at the beginning as soon as Goofy hits the stage, he makes everyone laugh, and by the time Mickey shows up everyone is clapping along and is super excited.”
That enthusiasm carries over the final curtain call. “We have a great finale,” Woodward says.
“Each princess comes back on stage, followed by the other performers, so the audience gets to see everyone again.”
Happily ever lives on — for a little while at least. “This show was built specifically for families, for kids, and for everyone that believes dreams really do come true.” adds Feld. “We want them to walk away with a feeling of wonderment and the memory of a heartwarming live experience.”
The intent is to dazzle audiences with a wondrous adventure that they are sharing with Mickey and his pals.
“These stories paved the way for us because the themes of courage, love and believing in oneself are undeniably universal,” Director Sherilyn Draper explains. “We wanted to retell these tales with as much vivid detail and imagination as possible, but we also had to keep the show easy to follow. The audience will feel the care we put into the production as three inspiring stories are told during one grand experience.” 
It all comes together through elaborate staging that transforms the arena into the worlds in which these characters live. Starting from Mickey’s attic, the set transforms into an enchanted forest where audiences meet Snow White as she wishes at the wishing well; audiences also encounter the Seven Dwarfs as they traipse through the lush woods on their way to work. The set then transforms into a brilliant castle where Cinderella first sees Prince Charming. At the end, everyone journeys to a quaint town in France where the story of “Beauty and Beauty and the Beast” unfolds.
“The interactive nature of this show and the connection the audience will have with real Disney stars is unlike anything we’ve done before,” says Producer Alana Feld. “We wanted to create a show that evokes different emotions and, in the end, leaves moms, dads, kids and even grandparents with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts.”
So put on your princess gown (and, yes, even grownups have been known to dress up as their favorite character, according to Woodard) and join your Disney pals for an enchanting adventure.

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