As beloved as Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and Disney’s other animated leading ladies are, their yin would be hard to maintain without some sort of yang.
That’s where Caroline Coucher comes in.
The Quebec City native portrays the Wicked Queen, Evil Stepmother and the other villians in the Disney on Ice production of “Princess Classics,” which is in town this week. While she may not draw the cheers that her fellow skaters do, Coucher takes pride in her part of the process.
“I’m really happy to play that. It’s really fun and really challenging ... making the kids feel as though it’s real,” she said in a soft French-Canadian accent during a recent phone interview. “They need to feel the contrast between good and evil ... I like to say that without me, there would be no story.”
As it stands, the story for the touring production revolves around seven Disney princesses — Jasmine from “Aladdin,” Ariel from “The Little Mermaid,” Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and the eponymous heroines of “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cinderella,” “Snow White” and “Mulan.” Elements from each of the films are incorporated into the show, including Genie emerging from his magic lamp and Cinderella’s royal ball.
“It’s very high-energy, and it’s for everybody,” said Coucher, who noted that many audience members — of all ages — can be seen clapping and singing along to songs from the films. “It’s just very magical, the connection with the kids and their families.”
The Disney on Ice crew has become a family of sorts for Coucher, who has been with the company for eight years, three of which have been spent with “Princess Classics.” She became a skating coach after relinquishing her skating career, but soon thereafter this opportunity came about.
“It’s always something I wanted to do since I was little, so it was sort of my dream coming true,” she said.
Coucher’s nationality is one of 17 represented by the show’s cast members, which is evidence of Disney’s global reach, she said. Her production has visited Argentina, Lithuania, Hungary and many other countries, each of which has taken something from it.
No matter a person’s origins, she said, stories about good people overcoming the obstacles in their way serve a great purpose. Also serving a purpose, she said, is Disney on Ice. Aside from spreading some culture, the show gives families a chance to take an evening with each other to reconnect.
“Since we have so many stories, it takes them to different parts of the world,” she said. “Every year, (Disney on Ice) is sort of a big family meeting ... a special moment where they can share the special reality of their favorite stories. Disney is part of every kid’s life now.
“Families connect. Walt Disney, that was his main goal — to bring the family together.”
Contact Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.
IF YOU GO
• WHAT: Disney On Ice presents “Princess Classics”
• WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 20-22; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 23; and 1 and 5 p.m. Jan. 24
• WHERE: HSBC Arena, Buffalo
• MORE INFORMATION: Visit ticketmaster.com or disneyonice.com
Family
Related Photos
-
submitted photo
LIFESTYLE: A royal invitation
- Family
-
-
Family ties come in time
When it comes to genealogy, all you need to do sometimes is catch a break.
-
Imagination is a wonderful — and scary — thing
Tiger, squirrel, what's the difference when you're 2?
-
The law of conservation of energy — with kids
Watching the thundering herd pass us, the father shook his head ... and called to the children:
“How can you have so much energy when I’m so tired?”
We looked at each other and laughed, each then, perhaps, seeing our future in the tired parents. To this day, eight years later, there are still moments when we look at our kids, then each other, and repeat those words. -
Parenting can be easy to say but hard to do
The parental saying is so commonly used that it’s almost become cliché: “I would do anything for my children.”
But what they don’t tell you is that, some days, it’s harder than others to fulfill that mantra. -
Ol’ golden rule days truly are dear ... I suppose
Packing lunch boxes. Pre-arranging ever-so-cute outfits. Driving to early morning drop-offs. Selling chocolate to raise funds.
The school era in the Lane household has officially started. -
The one who’s left behind
School is back in session - but not for everyone.
-
Never too young to begin total recall of life
Most research on memory indicates that children don’t begin to permanently store information until at least age 3.
But what these researchers seemingly failed to take into account is the fact that there is no fury like a toddler girl scorned. -
My sons, the comedians
One of the most interesting things about being a parent, I’ve found, is watching fledgling senses of humor develop.
-
Who knows what lurks in the hearts of big sisters?
If Rigby has taught us nothing else, it's to always be on guard.
-
Indulge your toddler’s every fantasy at Sesame Place
We know how to get to Sesame Place.
- More Family Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
