Everything starts with a wish, and what better wish than a star?
Tiana Has a Wish will be featured in Disney On Ice Presents Magic in the Stars, which runs through Sunday at the Raging Cane River Center Arena, 275 South River Road in Baton Rouge. '', he plans to share his wishes with the audience.
The show features 56 Disney stars on the ice and in the spotlight. Of course, there's also Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. Some favorites include Raya (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), Elsa and Anna (“Frozen”), Mirabel (“Encanto”), Woody, Buzz, and Moana. Jiminy Cricket welcomes the audience and introduces the evening's theme, “The Most Fantastic and Magical Things Happen.'' Starting point: wishes, yes, wishes. A separate story unfolds on the ice, powered by “cutting-edge figure skating, high-flying acrobatics, unexpected stunts, innovative lighting, thrilling special effects, eye-catching costumes, and stunning sets.” Design,” said producer Feld Entertainment.
Skating as Tiana is Sequoia Bernard, 27, of Del Mar, Maryland. Waitress Tiana appeared in the animated film “The Princess and the Frog,” set in Louisiana. This character, with her desire to open her own restaurant, is modeled after the late legendary New Orleans restaurateur Leah Chase.
On Monday, after a performance in Hidalgo, Texas, Bernard took time to talk about Tiana, the rigors of touring, and his childhood memories of New Orleans.
Please tell us how you started skating.
I originally did gymnastics, and then I was interested in learning figure skating. I started going to New York because I was living there at the time and took skating classes and competed for a few years, and then transitioned into coaching once I got to college. But I always knew I enjoyed the acting and theatrical part of skating more than the competition. So I started focusing on doing local rink shows and things like that. Then I went to Theater on Ice. After that, I decided to give Disney a try.
Of course, Tiana has many ties to Louisiana and is known as the first African-American Disney princess. What do you think about that whole aspect?
So for me, that character has a huge responsibility. I mean, Tiana is obviously very hardworking and resilient, which is a trait that already exists in the black community, especially African American women. So that's something that's really important to me that she always keeps that in mind.
There's also the fact that there aren't that many African-American women who have a platform in figure skating in general. It's very minimal and not that common. So to be able to represent figure skating with this kind of character and tie it to just the Louisiana cultural background, to be able to show it to young children and grown adults, it's really special. I think that's true. I think this show is something very special and magical in its own right, so I'm really happy to have the honor of playing her.
Have you ever been to New Orleans? If so, have you dined at Dooky Chase's Restaurant (which Leah Chase turned from a barroom/sandwich shop into one of the first African American fine dining restaurants in the country)? Have you?
No, I've never (ate at Dooky Chase's), but I have been to New Orleans. I used to go there often when I was young. My mother had some business to do in New Orleans. She took me. So I'm definitely knowledgeable about food, culture and music. Honestly, this music is one of my most prominent memories of that city. So definitely a fun place for me and I can't wait to visit again.
So will you have time for that while you're in Louisiana for the show?
yes. I had already planned a trip to spend at least a day and night there before that week's show started. I get excited just by looking around. I also think the last time I visited there was also before Katrina, so I'm interested to see how things have changed and changed since then. I think it was a difficult time.
Returning to the topic of “Magic in the Stars,'' what kind of preparation does the cast usually go through?
Basically we all take a warm-up and ice time to get used to the venue and get used to the ice and such. Obviously, we have so many characters on our show. Tells over 13 different stories. That's why we have a lot of ice time to make sure everyone is warmed up, in proper head space, and ready to go.
Now, does your character and story only appear in one place in the show and then in the finale, or how does that work?
Tiana is the second number on the show. First there's the opening, then Tiana, and then there's kind of the semi-finale of the first act. All the princesses are on the ice and she goes out there and appears again in the finale. .
If you’ve never been to a “Disney on Ice” show, what can you expect?
There are lots of interactive moments. Magic in the Stars is definitely a show that does a great job of involving the audience and making them feel like they're part of the story.
It's also one of the first shows to feature all five characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy, with Pluto appearing in the finale. It's really fun. But let's be honest, seeing so many characters will make you feel like you're in Disney World. that's great.