The show, which runs Wednesday through April 21, combines dazzling, precision skating with breathtaking special effects.
This is not just a show for little girls,” said Nate Viera-Davis, one of the many skaters bringing “Disney On Ice – Worlds of Fantasy” to life at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
Produced by Feld Entertainment, the show, which runs Wednesday through April 21, combines dazzling, precision skating with breathtaking special effects alongside Disney’s most beloved of character, “Worlds of Fantasy” focuses on several of Disney’s top drawers – including “The Little Mermaid,” “Cars” and “Toy Story” franchise.
Young boys who love action will get a dose of adrenaline from the high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/ Pixar’s “Cars” race across the ice.
Especially thrilling for girls, and boys, as well, will be a visit to the Little Mermaid’s enchanting undersea kingdom, as well as a stop at Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies where they will reveal some enchanting magic.
And, the toys are back in town as everyone’s favorites - Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the “Toy Story 3”gang – engage in some heroic action as they escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home in one of their most daring adventures ever.
“‘Cars’ is in the first part of the show, so boys get engaged right away. They just love seeing those cars driving on the ice,” said Viera-Davis, who grew up in Hartford and trained at the Skating Club there. He is an ensemble skater in the “Cars” scenes and portrays a Salsa Fish in “The Little Mermaid” portion of the show.
“I’m pretty much on the ice the whole time,” said Viera-Davis said.
The car structures built by Feld Entertainment’s scenic and property design facility, Hagenbeck-Wallace, are considered to be a true work of art taking some 2,000 hours to build over a three-month time frame. Mater and Lightning McQueen have molded rubber and talking mouths and each car is programmed with animatronics so they jump up and down. They also have working headlights and taillights, as well as blinking/moving eyes, and can reach up to 40 mph, but are programmed for the show not to exceed 15 mph. Also, to get the cars where they are going, each ‘Cars” character was reduced to 85% of the size of the vehicle after which it is modeled to fit into tractor trailers for transportation.
As for the girls in the audience, Viera-Davis said one of the “coolest things in our show” is “The Little Mermaid” section which focuses on mermaid Ariel and her human love interest Erik.
“It’s very passionate and a real true love story,” he said.
Viera-Davis joined the Disney/Feld family in 2008, immediately going out on the road with “Worlds of Fantasy.”
“I came to them pretty much the same way most other people find jobs. I had some connections and people told me to apply and I did,” said the former professional skater, who noted he auditioned through a video tape.
Before joining Feld Entertainment, Viera-Davis performed in a show at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Florida.
“I prefer performing, but both are very stressful in different types of ways,” said the skater.
“I don’t like the whole judging system and how it works. When I’m out there on the ice making a connection with people watching me perform, I don’t need a number put to it,” he added.
While Viera-Davis grew up in Hartford, he said he often visited with his dad who still lives in Easthampton and with his paternal grandparents in Leverett.
“I still have a lot of friends in Amherst and Northampton and family and friends will be coming to see me in the show in Springfield,” he said.