Local skaters/actors turn out for Frozen Ice Show at Brett Memorial Ice Arena

WASILLA — On Saturday, the Brett Memorial Ice Arena filled up beyond its bleachers during the Frozen Ice Show. Based on the popular Disney movie, this ice show was one of the biggest turnouts in the rink’s history, according to various staff members.

“It combines the acting and musicality with the skills we’ve been working on,” Learn to Skate instructor Lauren Luchsinger said.

Admission was just one can of a non-perishable food and there was a free open skate afterwards. All the food went to the Mat-Su Food Bank.

So many people arrived that a few dozen of them had to watch the show standing, wrapping around the ice rink. They didn’t seem to mind. The attending children scurried around the building to get a better view of the show, squealing with excitement.

Luchsinger choreographed the show. She said that she hoped this show would pull in a lot of people and encourage more kids to get involved with their programs. She was very pleased with her skaters’ performance and is sure it will inspire other kids to want to do the same.

“I’m so proud of them and I think it came together really nicely,” Luchsinger said.

She said that there were 56 skaters in the show with varying ages and skill levels. All the performers came from the Learn to Skate and Theater on Ice programs.

The youngest skater in the show was four years old, according to Luchsinger. The young skaters played a variety of roles, from a yellow-shirted bumble bee to a silk weaving flurry that circled around the characters to represent Princess Elsa’s ice powers.

Luchsinger said they started rehearsing about seven weeks ago. She said the younger kids with minor roles practiced for about 10 minutes after class while the more experienced skaters with bigger roles invested several hours a week. She noted that the entire production was filmed by the Mat-Su Central School’s film students.

Luchsinger said that her skaters in the Theater on Ice program compete across the state and started when they were “just ittie bitties.”

The main actors stayed after the show in front of a blue and white background by the main entrance that looked like Elsa’s icy castle from the movie. Several people stopped to say how much they liked the show or grabbed a selfie with the cast. Luchsinger said that her skaters loved taking on the iconic roles.

“They’re ecstatic. They’re getting fan letters from kids. It’s so cute,” Luchsinger said.

Luchsinger said that she’s worked at the Brett for three years and she’s been involved with their programs since she was six years old. She said that figure skating is a great place for growing children to make new friends, hone their athletic skills and have a safe place for expression.

“It’s such a great community for our kids… We’re very creative. We like trying new things,” Luchsinger said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com