On Stage: Disney on Ice Skates into town

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

Philadelphia has many popular holiday traditions that have been entertaining area families for years. The tradition of a spectacular Disney on Ice skating show visiting Philadelphia during the Christmas holiday stretches back for decades and it’s still going – stronger than ever.

From December 23-January 2, the Wells Fargo Center (3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-336-3600, http://www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com) will be hosting “Disney on Ice presents Follow Your Heart” with an array of morning, afternoon and evening shows.

The show, which has a huge cast and a lot of big production numbers, features many of Disney’s most popular characters — from Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to Rapunzel from “Tangled” to Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.”

Traditionally, Disney on Ice has been able to assemble shows using different segments that had been used in prior shows. There also have been ice shows like “Aladdin” and “Toy Story” that tell a full story. But, the producers have realized that it’s harder to go with full-length shows because younger audience members get bored.

The kids need something that is colorful and changes rapidly — something that tells a story in a couple of minutes. There is a definite need for the show to be structured around a mixture of action, movement and popular songs. “Follow Your Heart” fills the bill perfectly.

This groundbreaking show features 60 characters including Olaf, Kristoff, Anna, Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Minnie Mouse and the legendary Disney Princesses.

The touring ice spectacle has segments representing a variety of Disney’s most popular movies in recent years. Kids will delight to on-ice appearances by Dory and new pal Hank from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” as they set out to find her parents. They’ll be able to cheer with Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the Emotions from Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” as they work together to boost Riley’s spirit and win the big hockey game.

One of the more inventive acts in the show will be an aerial silks segment featuring the two main characters from “Tangled” – Rapunzel, who is portrayed by Anna Bradshaw, and Flynn, who is brought to life by Luis Douglas.

“Coming into this new season, they started to build a new show,” said Douglas, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. “It’s a mixture of a normal skating show and a really cool circus show built for ice. It combines traditional skating elements with circus acts.

“It’s the first time they’ve used both aerial silks and a Spanish Web, which is used for ‘The Little Mermaid,’ in the same production. The silks are used in the ‘Tangled’ section. I do the act with Rapunzel. There’s one silk each and we do tricks together.”

Douglas’ background is in the world of skating rather than performance art. He grew up in Prestwick, a town hear Glasgow, Scotland and began skating when he was nine. He spent 10 years competing as one of Scotland’s national caliber skaters.

“After high school, I thought I was done with skating,” said Douglas, who is a big fan of the internationally-acclaimed Scottish football (soccer) team Glasgow Rangers. “But, my coach told me to send out some tapes. One of the Disney on Ice tours was in Scotland and they held auditions in Aberdeen.

“So, I went up to audition. It was at the tail end of the season. The casting director was there and talked to me about a new Disney on Ice show called ‘Treasure Trove.’ They hired me and I was in ‘Treasure Trove’ for five years until it closed last year. I was Peter Pan. I flew in for my entrance and used a harness to do front flips.

“With this new show, our aerial act starts on the ice and then we go up in the air. I was a little nervous the first couple times we did it. At the start, I didn’t know what it would be like. We worked for eight weeks with a trainer from Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus. On the first day of practice, she had us up in the air.

“It’s so much fun. I’m an adrenalin junkie so this is a real thrill. Anna and I practice a lot. We have a really good relationship.”

Douglas was familiar with “Tangled” before this production even began.

“I really loved the music in ‘Tangled,’” said Douglas. “The characters are great and the music is great. I watched the movie a bit to study the characters. Flynn is fun to plat. He’s a little cocky – a ladies’ man. But, all he really wants to do is make Rapunzel happy.”

Video link for “Disney on Ice presents Follow Your Heart” – https://youtu.be/V7m0UbcAqSA?t=6.

Ticket prices range from $20-$123.

The Kimmel Center’s 2016 Broadway season will draw to a close on the final five days of the year with a show that will soon have its final curtain after a 14-year run.

From December 27-21, the Merriam Theater (250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org) will host the “Farewell Tour” of the smash-hit musical “Mamma Mia!”

The arrival of “Mamma Mia!” means that the music of one of Sweden’s all-time best-selling pop bands will be filling the air at the Merriam. The jukebox musical was written by British playwright Catherine Johnson. The lively show is based on the songs of ABBA — songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. The title of the musical is taken from the group’s 1975 mega-hit “Mamma Mia!”

Ulvaeus and Andersson, who composed the original music for ABBA, were involved in the development of the show from the beginning. ABBA’s Anni-Frid Lyngstad has been involved financially in the production and she has also been present at many of the premieres around the world.

The musical includes such hits as “Super Trouper,” “Lay All Your Love on Me,” “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Thank You for the Music,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Voulez-Vous,” “SOS” and, of course, “Mamma Mia!”

“Mamma Mia!” has been credited with popularizing the genre of shows known as “jukebox musicals.” There is also a “full circle” effect that happened with this show.

The musical’s plot is based on a film that predated it. And, the popularity of the stage show “Mamma Mia!” , which had its debut in 1999, has been bolstered by the theater and DVD success of the movie “Mamma Mia!”, which was released in 2008. The feature film adaptation is the most successful movie musical of all time having already grossed over $600 million worldwide.

“I had never seen the show but I had seen the movie,” said Lizzie Markson, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home in Allentown during a pre-holiday tour break. “My knowledge of the show was pretty thin. I only knew ABBA songs through the band a-teens.”

Markson, who plays the key role of Sophie, didn’t need familiarity with “Mamma Mia!” She landed the lead role of the bride on talent alone.

“I just graduated in May from Elon College in North Carolina,” said Markson, who is a graduate of the Lehigh Valley’s Parkland High. “I chose that school because they have a really good musical theater program. “In our senior year, the school brought casting directors and agents to Elon to do audition simulations. One of the people they brought in was Joy Dewing, the casting director for ‘Mamma Mia!’

“She called me in for a dance call. Then, I ended up making a couple callbacks in New York. I went back-and-forth between North Carolina and New York a couple times. I found out a couple weeks after graduation that I had gotten the role of Sophie. We rehearsed in New York for three weeks in September. After that, we teched the show in Orange, Texas and then opened in Houston.”

As of 2016, the show has productions in London’s West End, where it is the eighth longest-running show in West End history, as well as various international productions. Its Broadway incarnation closed in September 2015 after a 14-year run, making it the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history. It is estimated that close to 50 million people around the world have seen “Mamma Mia!”

“I’ve never watched any performances online by other companies,” said Markson. “I didn’t want it to hinder my freedom as an actor – to have something influence me as to ‘how it’s supposed to be done.’ I tried to just use the source material and the script. But, I did listen to a lot of ABBA music.

“Playing Sophie is pretty demanding all around because I have to be on my game every show. There is the pressure of having to carry the show. Everyone carries the show but there is more pressure on me and Betsy (Padamonsky), who plays the role of Donna, my mom.

“I like everything about Sophie. I love that she is hopelessly optimistic. She thinks everything is going to be the way she needs it to go because it has to go that way. I think I relate to her in the belief that it will all work out. I love her spirit.

The show has evolved into one that brings audiences back to see it every time it comes to town and frequently numerous times during each run.

“A big part of it is the nostalgia for ABBA’s music,” said Markson. “It brings back memories. And, it is so successfully woven into a fun story that keeps you guessing. Most importantly, it provides a rare opportunity to escape and have fun for two hours.”

Video link for “Mamma Mia!” — https://youtu.be/bCuDZi0aR6Q?t=5.

Performances are scheduled for December 27, 7:30 p.m.; December 28-30, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and December 31, 2 p.m.

There will be a real “Philly Vibe” when Orrin Evans plays a series of shows from December 28-30 at Chris’ Jazz Cafe (1421 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, www.chrisjazzcafe.com, 215-568-3131).

Evans, who grew up in Philadelphia and now resides in the city’s Mount Airy neighborhood, will be performing the songs from his brand-new album “#knowingishalfthebattle” live for the first time in Philly. Evans used two internationally-acclaimed guitarists from Philadelphia on the album – Kevin Eubanks and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

“I recorded the album back in April and it came out in October,” said Evans, during a phone interview Wednesday from a family holiday gathering in Fort Myers, Florida. “I started writing for the album two-ot-three months before the recording began. It was probably one of the easiest times I had to compose. I wrote tunes based on other compositions or ideas that I liked.

“I recorded it at Sear Sound in New York. It’s a great studio. Almost every song was done with a maximum of two takes. For this project, I decided to get people who I’ve wanted to play with for years. I wanted Kevin Eubanks and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Actually, it wasn’t until later that I realized I had picked two Philly guys. Kevin is from Philadelphia and Kurt lives a few blocks away from me in Mount Airy.”

But, Evans didn’t have a Philly vibe in mind when he was writing the tunes for “#knowingishalfthebattle” nor did he let the potential musicians on the project influence his compositions.

“If I’m writing – the minute I have a player in mind, I stop,” said Evans. “I don’t want to restrict myself. I want the composition to develop on its own and not be influenced by who might be playing on it.”

The album’s title was taken from the closing moments of every “G.I. Joe” cartoon – the familiar refrain, “And now you know… and knowing is half the battle!”

On “#knowingishalfthebattle,” his third release for Smoke Sessions Records, Evans shares his own lessons in life and music on a raw, electrifying session that also featured bassist Luques Curtis, drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr., saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis and vocalist M’Balia.

#knowingishalfthebattle shows Evans coming to terms with what he’s learned over his years on and off the bandstand — and more importantly, how to make use of that knowledge. In large part, the answer he’s come to involves letting go, forgetting what’s been learned and trusting the instincts that come along with it. By inviting such virtuosic musicians into his world, he’s asking them to do the same and making new discoveries through a collective act of forgetting.

According to Evans, who graduated from Philadelphia’s Martin Luther King High School, “We’re taught that with knowledge comes power. Which is true, but we never really realize that with knowledge comes responsibility. Then we have to figure out how to forget. When you let go of everything that you’ve been taught, the possibilities of what can happen on the bandstand are endless.”

That kind of edge-walking spontaneity is familiar to anyone who’s ever seen Evans perform live, but it truly shines through on this recording, which is invigorated by its thrilling sense of looseness and in-the-moment invention.

The “anything could happen” vibe draws visceral performances from the full ensemble, but especially from the two topo-flight guitarists. Rosenwinkel is one of the most revered and influential guitarists of his generation while Eubanks gained fame for his 15-year stint as the bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but is also well respected for his work with a long list of jazz greats.

The line-up for the six shows in Philadelphia features Eubanks on guitar, Curtis on bass, Whitfield, Jr. on drums and Evans on piano.

“I started studying piano at a very young age,” said Evans, a Rutgers alum whose father was a professor at Trenton State University. “My mother was a singer and my father was a teacher and a playwright so I was always surrounded by the arts. My sister played piano as a hobby and I had an uncle who played jazz saxophone.

“Growing up in Philly around that time, there were so many things going on – Trudy Pitts, Shirley Scott. It was exciting – just hearing music and letting my mind wander – relating Steely Dan to Ronnie Laws. It was connecting all the dots together.

“I graduated from Martin Luther King but before that I went to GAMP (a Philly arts high school named Girard Academic Music Project) where I studied piano – and clarinet for a little while. When I got to GAMP, I decided that this was going to be my thing. Being in the pit band for ‘Godspell’ was my first time getting paid to play music. One of my first gigs on my own was a little non-alcoholic club in Philly when I was 16 or 17.”

Once Evans embarked on his music career, he never looked back. He released his debut album “The Trio” in 1995. “#knowingishalfthebattle” was his second album release in 2016 and his 22nd album over the last 21 years.

Video link for Orrin Evans – https://youtu.be/sUaEj-HQxlI?t=9.

There will be shows each night at 8 and 10 p.m. Admission is $35 per show — all nights.

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) presents Vinyl Artifacts, and Mojo Stu on December 22, Old Soul Revival on December 23, and Rusty Blue, Arden Kind, and Blues Reincarnation Project on December 30.

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com) will present Emily Jubb on December 23, House Plant and Qwirk on December 30 and Ben Arnold & Friends on December 31.

Chaplin’s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110, http://chaplinslive.com) will have Silver Dress Pants, Kristina D’Amico and Alex LeVlanc on December 30 and Slave Dog, Pharohs and the Lizard People on December 31.

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389, www.ardmoremusic.com) will host Splintered Sunlight and Dr. Slothclaw on December 22, Electron (Marc Brownstein & Aron Magner of The Disco Biscuits, Mike Greenfield of Lotus, Tom Hamilton of JRAD) and Catullus on December 23, John Kadlecik Band (of Furthur & Dark Star Orchestra) and Old Soul Revival on December 28, Rusted Root and Rad & Kell on December 29, The James Brown Dance Party Feat. Clyde Stubblefield of James Brown Band, Elise Testone (American Idol), Members of Tedeschi Trucks, Charles Bradley & More along with Nik Greeley & The Operators on December 30 and Start Making Sense and Band From Mars on December 31.

Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com) will present  Sublime with Rome on December 31.

The Tower Theater (69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby, 215-922-1011, www.thetowerphilly.com) will feature Cedric the Entertainer on December 31.

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) presents Chrisette Michelle and Raheem Devaughn on December 29, and The Wall on December 31.

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) will have John Flynn Family & Friends: Holiday Concert on December 22, Whiskeyhickon Boys and The Hoppin’ Boxcars on December 23, Raymond The Amish Comic and  Michael Aronin on December 26, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. on December 28, Lotus Land on December 29, Live Wire on December 30, Rubix Cube on December 31, and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Slicked Up 9s on January 3.

World Café Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400, www.queen.worldcafelive.com) will have Mad-Sweet Pangs on December 23, Montana Wildaxe on December 29, and Urban Shaman Attack feat. Ron Sutton Jr + The Late Saints on December 31.

World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com) will host Livvie Forbes, Christopher Burkholder, Soundcheck, Brooke Falls w/ Millennium and The Current on December 23, Mistletoe Jam 2016 with Soraia, John Fay, JDT, Robbie Casablanca, Scarlet Sunrise, and Curtis Jr. on December 29, Slambovian Circus of Dreams on December 30, and New Year’s Eve with the David Bromberg Quintet on December 31.

Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http://www.lnphilly.com) will present Matisyahu on December 27, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong on December 28, Dag Nasty on December 30, Cabinet on December 31, and August Burns Red on January 4.

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com) has a schedule that includes Secret Pants presents “Federally Mandated Christmas Variety Show” on December 22, Philly Loves James Brown on December 23, Grubby Little Hands, Tutlie, and Raindeer on December 30, and New Year’s Eve with David Wax Museum, Kevin Manning, and Auld Lang Syne on December 31.

Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com) is hosting A Very Arbor Christmas Featuring It’s A King Thing, Endor Endor, Bacio, and The Classic Brown on December 22, The Ben Vaughn Quintet on December 23, Chris Cardillo, Ryan Petrillo and Kevin Large on December 27, Hillary Wallace and the Death Spot  and Collins on December 28, The Sun & The Moon Band and Rush 2.0 on December 29, Oh, Are They?, Belgrade, and Honeytiger on December 30 and  TJ Kong And The Atomic Bomb, Mercury Radio Theater, and Levee Drivers on December 31.

The Trocadero (10th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-922-6888, www.thetroc.com) will have The Weekend Riot on December 23 and Elanor Kerrigan and Friends — Cassandra Dee, Joe Conklin, and Rocco Stowe on December 27.

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com) will host Making Time New Year’s Eve 2017 on December 31.

Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com) will present Valencia on December 28, Gramatik on December 30, and Kurt Vile on December 31.

Electric Factory (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.info) has Lotus and theNEWDEAL on December 29 and Dark Star Orchestra and Keller Williams on December 30 and Dark Star Orchestra on December 31.

Tin Angel (20 South Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-928-0770, http://www.tinangel.com)

Stephen Kellogg and Megan Burtt on December 27, and Mary Fahl on December 31

Kung Fu Necktie (1248 North Front Street, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com) hosts

Playing Makeup, and Wearing Guitar on December 22, Los Campeones, The Mad Splatter, and Old Scratch on December 23, Deflector, Speaking Parts, and Slow Tongued Beauty on December 23 (late show), Voltheque, Doll Face, and Tropical Taste on December 26, Pink Slip Daddy,  Gibbous Moon, and She Hates Me on December 29, Green Jelly, Triple Goddess, and Riverside Odds on December 30, Dysentery, Iron Price, Ether, The Virgin Birth, Eaten Alive, and Knives on December 31 and Residuels, The Nude Party, and The Robotrippers on January 4.

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org) presents

The Slackers, The Scotch Bonnets, and The Bullbuckers on December 22, Hot Snakes on December 28,

Diarrhea Planet and Straw Hat on December 29, Guided By Voices and The Moles on December 30, and West Philadelphia Orchestra + Johnny Showcase, Minka, and Muscle Tough on December 31.

Fire (412 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-671-9298, thefirephilly.com) will have Lavva Girl, Kil Confirmed, Kid the Great and Scottie Kash on December 22, LYVE Harmon, James Allen, Janay Keys, Dahi Divine, Sima Young, Destiny X, and B-roc The Prophecy on December 23, Better Machines, Tie Goes To The Runner, Your Persona, Pines and My Lonely Heart on December 28, and The Last Brontosaurus, Gab Abramson and Carmen Costa on December 30.

Punch Line Philly (33 East Laurel Street, Philadelphia, 215-606-6555, http://www.punchlinephilly.com) will have Jay Black on December 23 and Comedy Countdown with Jimmy Shubert & Friends from December 29-31.

Bourbon and Branch (705 North Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-238-0660, bourbonandbranchphilly.com) hosts

Tesselations, Elephant Jake, Korean Large, and Minor Setbacks on December 28, Impressionist, Slophouse, Tranche, and Edenspore on December 29, and Chalk & the Beige Americans, Shy Boyz, and Dirty Soap Blues Band on December 30.

Coda (1712 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 267- 639-4630, http://www.codaphilly.com/) will have Speaker of the House on December 23, The Skints with Suburban Sensi on December 28 and New Year’s Eve 2017 on December 31.

The Voltage Lounge (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215- 964-9602, www.Voltagelounge.com) hosts Huey Mack, Cal Mobley, Fis Geez The Rapper, A.V.A,  and Squid Mchale on December 29, and Marvel Years on December 30.

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com) presents Ben Aire & Handsome Sam on December 22, The Once Was, Pet Cheetah, and The Wonder Bars on December 23, Peelander-Z, Toranavox, and Honah Lee on December 28, HR of Bad Brains, Dubb Agents, Kingsound and on December 30, GhettoSongBird on December 30 (late show), and Scot Sax Soul Revue and Suzie Brown on January 4.

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-0 648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) is presenting its 2016 Christmas show “Winter Wonderland” now through December 30, “Bonded: A Tribute to James Bond” on December 31, and “Dancing with the Stars: Live! – We Came to Dance” on January 4 and 5.

Tellus 360 (24 East King Street, Lancaster, 717-393-1660, www.tellus360.com) has The Willie Marble Xperience on December 22,

Andy Mowatt Steely Jam with Younger Me on December 23, A Celtic Christmas at Tellus360 on December 26, Diarrhea Planet with Straw Hats & High Heels on December 28, Dabby Paddy Allstars with Higher Education on December 30 and “Acappellus360!” on January 1.

Chameleon Club (223 North Water Street, Lancaster, 717-299-9684, http://www.chameleonclub.net) presents The Skiffs, Humandala and Up and Up on December 23, Laura Luce featuring Ton Taun, The Vivien Leigh Documentary, and Dan Zdilla on December 27,

Galactic Empire, The Stonewall Vessels, and Blind/Bird on December 28, The Holiday Jam on December 29, and Reservoir, Magnolia, Meg and The Right Sound, Avery, and Guilt Trip on December 30

Reverb (1402 North Ninth Street, Reading, 610-743-3069, www.reverbconcerts.com) will present Rivers of Nihil with a special free show on December 23.

SteelStacks (101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, 610-332-1300, http://www.steelstacks.org) will have Swingin’ the Holidays with The Rob Stoneback Big Band on December 22, The Lou Franco Project Guitar Show on December 26,  Jimmy & the Parrots: Holiday Parrot Party on December 27, The Sofa Kings on December 28, The Philadelphia Funk Authority on December 29 and The Red Elvises’ New Year’s Eve Spectacular on December 31.

The Sands Bethlehem Event Center (77 Sands Boulevard, Bethlehem, 610-297-7400, http://sandseventcenter.com) will present Clutch on December 29 and Jerry Blavat on December 31.

The Rainbow Comedy Theatre (3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, 800-292-4301, http://www.rainbowcomedy.com) is presenting “Green Holly and Gray Potatoes” now through December 28. Matinee performances are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and selected Saturdays with an 11:30 a.m. lunch and a 1 p.m. curtain. Evening performances are every Friday, Saturday and selected Thursdays with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the show following at 8 p.m. There will also be “Twilight Performances” on selected Sundays with dinner at 2:30 p.m. and the show at 4 p.m. Ticket prices range from $30-$55.