• What: “Disney on Ice: 100 years of Magic”
• When: Dec. 18-22
• Where: Times Union Center
• How much: $25-$58
• Info: www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
According to Walt Disney, anything is possible if you just believe, and that may not be far from the truth as one of the stars from Disney on Ice’s latest show to hit the Times Union Center explains.
“If you believe in yourself, so will others. If your desire to succeed is so strong, stick with it even though you may have to sacrifice at times,” said Natasha Kuchiki, the figure skater who portrays Mulan in Disney’s latest ice show.
In Disney’s animated feature “Mulan,” Kuchiki’s character disguises herself as a man and joins the army so that her aging father doesn’t have to. Mulan discovers that with enough practice and perseverance, she can do anything she puts her mind to.
It’s that trait of perseverance that Kuchiki can relate to in her own life.
The 37-year-old figure skater grew up on the ice. At just 1 year old, Kuchiki was traveling with the Ice Capades alongside her parents who were skaters in the show. Kuchiki’s parents taught her the ropes, and at the age of 10, when her parents preferred she continue to skate as a single, Kuchiki was determined to prove to her parents that she could skate doubles. Kuchiki’s parents soon realized the young skater’s potential, and Kuchiki and her partner went on to skate in three National Championships, a World Championship and a sixth place finish in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
“After the Olympics, I went on to skate with the Ice Capades for three years,” Kuchiki said.
In 2000, Kuchiki took the ice as Jane in Disney’s “3 Jungle Adventures,” making ice-show history with an on-ice web routine. In 2004, she joined the cast of “Beauty and the Beast,” and currently Kuchiki portrays the role of Mulan in “Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic.”
In her role as Mulan, Kuchiki is able to combine her love of acting with her love of skating.
“I get to battle and go through so many emotions … happy, sad …. I love acting as well, so Disney on Ice for me brings together my two passions … acting and figure skating,” she said. “Disney shows are based on stories, so it’s not just going out there and skating. You are using your skating and your movement and telling a story.”
Kuchiki points out however that she does have her work cut out for her.
“All the kids know their stories, so to portray the character directly … the kids watch those movies over and over, so you want to make sure you get that character right,” she said.
Kuchiki is one of 65 Disney characters from 18 stories that will take the ice Dec 18-22. Classic stories such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and more contemporary stories such as “Toy Story,” “The Lion King,” and “Finding Nemo” will come to life on the ice. Of course, Disney’s classic characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck will also skate in the show.
“100 years celebrates Disney’s legacy,” Kuchiki said.
Kuchiki said being a part of the magic of Disney has been an experience like no other and has taken her on a journey to amazing places all over the world.
“I was recently in Qatar over the summer performing for princes,” she said. “I’ve been really blessed. I have been in over 32 countries, everywhere from Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe … we go everywhere. We bring our own ice when the areas or venues don’t have ice in their facility.”
Kuchiki said if she sees the kids with smiling faces in the audience, she is doing her job.
“When I see just one audience member looking at me the way I want them to, then I know I’ve got them, and that’s fulfilling,” she said.
“Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic” will take over the Times Union Center Dec 18-22. Tickets range from $25 to $58 and are available at the Times Union Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.
