An fun-filled tribute to 100 years of Disney magic will soon be coming to Milwaukee! Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic will run at the US Cellular Arena from Thursday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 17 (Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m.). This show has been constantly touring across the United States and Canada for over a year now. Yet amidst this hectic schedule, Wisconsin-native, Taylor Blair (aka Buzz Lightyear), was kind enough to provide some insight into the magical experience that is Disney on Ice.
Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic is a unique kind of show that celebrates all that is Disney ranging from "Snow White" to "The Incredibles". Whether you're 8, 18, or 80 there is a segment in the show that will appeal to you. Over the course of 100 years, Disney has provided us with a vast supply of magical stories, and so it follows that this particular show is filled with excitement and action as the cast of 47 skaters bring the characters to life. Taylor Blair brings the role of "Toy Story"'s Buzz Lightyear to life as he, Woody, and Jessie perform a trio number and get the audience involved in the fun.
Though this space ranger may not be from the Intergallactic Alliance, he does hail from Madison, Wisconsin and is ecstatic to return for the Milwaukee performances.
I'm so excited to go home! I'm going to see my friends and the family, they are all going to come to the show. I am just excited to be back in the Midwest. We were back out in California for a couple weeks and we were out East and when we just got back to the Midwest a couple weeks ago we were in Iowa and it just felt like home... so I am just so happy to get back home!
Having grown up in Madison since he was three, 19-year-old Blair began skating when he was seven in outdoor rinks, took skating lessons, and began competing. He competed for ten years until he graduated high school and joined "Disney on Ice", where he has been touring for two years. Though competitions were a large portion of his skating experience, he confesses that performances with his local skating club were always a highlight.
My local skating club would do some shows and I loved doing those. That was my favorite part of the year. I always liked performing more than competing so now I get to do it professionally, which is just awesome!
Taking his inspiration from Scott Hamilton, Blair recalls seeing Stars on Ice perform in Madison and gains his motivation through such performances.
They really inspire me to be my best performer in each show, to be the best I can be. I want to do my best in every show because I know how much it means to the audience.
Though Blair thoroughly enjoys performing, he admits it can be a struggle. These roles are physically demanding on their own and with the added challenge of remaining in such animated characters such as Buzz Lightyear, it is amazing what these performers are able to achieve. Fortunately for Blair, Disney Pixar movies such as "Toy Story", "Finding Nemo", and "The Incredibles" were his favorites growing up, so he is able to appreciate and pay tribute in a remarkable way through his role as Buzz Lightyear.
Everyone will love the show. It really appeals to all ages, boys, girls... my parents love it, my little niece came a few weeks ago, she loved it. It just really appeals to everyone so everyone should come down and see it!
For more information on Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic, please visit http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Disney-On-Ice-100-Years-of-Magic-tickets/artist/830558.
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