the bristol press - hartford

来週の公演先Hertfordの新聞"The Bristol Press"に長い記事を掲載してもらえたので載せておきます。

Principal skater Isao Matsuura, who plays Pinocchio in the ice show, may also be a long way from his home in Japan, but for this champion figure skater, the ice is his second home and there is no place he’d rather be. In his 13th year as a principal skater in the Disney on Ice show, Matsuura has played the role of Pinocchio his entire Disney career.

“Disney comes to Japan every summer to recruit,” Matsuura said. “I auditioned and got a principal role and I’ve been skating Pinocchio ever since.”

In fact Matsuura, who holds junior national, senior national and western national championship titles in Japan, is the longest running Pinocchio in the company’s history. And that’s no lie, even for Pinocchio.

With so much experience and skill — not to mention pure talent powering his skaing, Matsuura’s solo is like no other.

“I like my solo,” Matsuura admits. “I do three triple jumps in the show and a couple of flying spins and combination spins. No other cast member has that many jumps in their numbers. I love doing these tricks.”

If Matsuura’s world-class skaing can’t capture your attention, certainly the one and only Mickey Mouse, or perhaps the irresistibly classic Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck or one of the many Disney princesses will.

Not only the classics will be on call, but audiences will see moments from “The Lion King,” “Mulan,” “Finding Nemo” and “Toy Story” brought to life on the ice,

"We have 18 different stories we perform,” Matsuura said. “The show has phenomenal skaters representing 65 different characters. Every person watching can find their favorite character in the show."

The ice spectacular features professionally choreographed figure skating to Academy Award-winning songs “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Under the Sea,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

Dazzling sets, memorable characters, beautiful costumes and out-of-this-world special effects will transport audiences through decades of Disney stories.

But for Matsuura, a Disney on Ice and Pinocchio veteran, the glitz and the glamour never outshine the smiles of the audience.

“Disney goes around the world, to Asia, Europe, South America. No matter where we are, I love seeing people having fun and kids smiling — especially during the finale when we get close to the audience and I can see in their eyes they are having a good time and enjoying the show. That is the most important thing for me as a performer.”And not even Pinocchio could lie about a thing like that.

If You Go ...

http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2012/01/05/entertainment/doc4f052409c6755605308535.txt