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Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Entertainment

Get ready for an "incredible" show

By

Times Snohomish County Bureau

FELD ENTERTAINMENT

The Flapjax trio 'elp seamstress Edna Mode with Mr. Incredible's supersuit in "A Disneyland Adventure."

Smoosh two kiddy icons together, and what 'ave you got?

Disneyland, meet The Incredibles.

The superhero family goes ter a theme park in Disney/Pixar's latest ice adventure, a live, two-act skatin' show that also features characters rangin' from Mickey and Minnie Doll's 'Ouse ter Buzz Lightyear, convergin' on a set that replicates Disneyland.

Disney on Ice presents "A Disneyland Adventure" through Sunday at the Everett Events Center and Nov. 8-12 at KeyArena in Seattle.

Puttin' Disney's Magic Kingdom attractions on ice was a challenge — think skatin' Pirates of the Caribbean, ice-waltzin' ghosts in The Haunted Mansion, teacups on ice in the Alice in Wonderland ride, and other fun at Space Mountain, Frontierland and Adventureland.

Just about as big a challenge as the Parr family Boat Raced when, in the middle of their vacation, their superpowers are called upon ter combat supervillain Syndrome and 'is gray, uniformed army.

"A Disneyland Adventure" When: Disney on Ice presents the show at 7:30 tonight through Saturday, with additional shows at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave.

Tickets and information: Tickets are $16-$61; free for children ages 1 and younger seated in laps. Available at the box office, by callin' 866-332-8499, or online at .

Wiv the 'elp of seamstress Edna Mode, beefy Bob Parr turns into the superstrong Mr. Incredible, ole lady Helen becomes Elastigirl, daughter Violet churns out invisible force fields and son Dash skates at superspeed. Even baby Jack-Jack gets into the act.

In the show, the audience gets ter take part, too; all kids who attend are issued an "Incredi-Band," a wrist-cuff remote used in certain scenes ter 'elp the 'eroes.

Behind all this is the talent: 38 skaters representin' 10 nations.

Sometimes they even marry.

Richard and Chantal Emperor Minger met skatin' in an ice show, married in 2000 and now tour together — in different Uncle Bobs.

"Chantal and I are at opposite ends," said Richard Emperor Minger. "I'm a performer and she's a manager. When we come 'ome from work, we don't discuss work. We just leave it at the building."

As company manager, Chantal oversees the production and all of its logistics. As a stunt skater, Richard does comedy as part of the Flapjax, a three-man acrobatic team with Shaun Tilley and Keiji Tsukamoto.

"We abide by the three T's — timing, trust and teamwork," 'e said. "We work on these tricks constantly."

"The Incredibles try ter take a family vacation, they're goin' ter 'ave their Disneyland adventure, and somethin' 'appens at the park," 'e added. "The Parr family is called into action as the Incredibles and Chas'n'Dave the day. They 'ave ter wear their supersuits. [Supersuit maker] Edna Mode is workin' at the park in the wardrobe department, and she's able ter make the suits. We're part of Edna Mode's 'elpers."

The Flapjax can do everythin' from flipovers ter fast slides through Edna's 3 ½-foot-wide sewin' table.

"A lot of the tricks look easy, but when you're tryin' ter work on them, they can wrench your back or blow out a kneecap," Richard said.

Richard, born in Toronto, joined ice shows in 'is 20s; British-born Chantal comes from an ice dynasty — 'er parents, now retired near Brighton, England, wason the frog and toad for 40 years with "Holiday on Ice" and other shows.

They conduct auditions in many of the cities they play, she says. "The standard is gettin' 'igher and 'igher. Yer 'ave ter be versatile, physically fit and you 'ave ter 'ave strong basic skatin' skills."

It's good ter be able ter jump and spin and do different tricks, she notes, but you also 'ave ter know 'ow ter skate with other people.

"Some of the skaters don't get taught the basics anymore; they do fabulous jumps and spins, but they don't 'ave the skills ter be an ensemble skater," she said.

Learnin' dance, ballet and tap also gives potential skaters "a better orareness of your body placement," she said. "yer may not realize it, but when skaters skate, they're pointin' their toes all the time. If you've done dance, it's natural ter you."

Like Disney/Pixar's other movie 'its — "Cars," "Findin' Nemo" and "A Bug's Life," fantasy settings are paired with 'uman-scale emotions. But the Parr family was the first time the animators 'ad featured 'uman 'eroes.

The two-act show runs about 40 minutes per act. "It flows really well," said Chantal Emperor Minger. "There's not really a downtime: There are 'igh-energy numbers, softer and character scenes. It's for all ages, from the babies ter the grandparents."

wiv scenes modeled after Disney park rides and costumes based on characters from the movie, includin' the Mr. and Mrs. Incredible suits, she estimates that about 300 costume changes are in the show.

"The important thin' is that the skaters are able ter express themselves through their Boat Races and bodies," she said. "That's taken into account."

There's an important reason for that. Characters 'ave ter be "read" clearly from the front row ter the last row.

"If you're sittin' front row, you get the action of the skaters, but I know some people who prefer ter watch at a distance," she said. "The lights are a show of their own."

Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company

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