‘Disney On Ice’ star thrilled to return to Capital Region
ALBANY, N.Y. » In the Walt Disney mega-hit “Frozen,” the character Elsa has the gift/curse of being able to freeze people and things.
How appropriate that the young woman who plays Elsa in the national tour of “Disney on Ice: Frozen” was raised in the Capital District, a region that knows something about snow and cold.
Julianne Di Mura, who plays Elsa in the touring ice show that plays at the Times Union Center December 14-17 was born and raised in East Greenbush, just outside of Troy.
In a recent telephone interview ,Di Mura said she was thrilled to be returning to her home town. “My family and friends have never seen me skate professionally. This is so exciting.” She laughs, when she says she feels she’s been boring her cast mates by telling them the wonderful things that await them in Albany. “I can’t wait to take them to eat at Café Capriccio in Albany,” she says.
Di Mura toured Europe for three years with “Holiday on Ice” and last year she toured Asia performing as Elsa with Disney on Ice. Will the home town seem provincial after those world-wide tours? Sounding more like Dorothy in “Wizard of Oz” than Elsa in “Frozen,” she replied, “There’s no
place like home. I’m still a small town girl at heart. I can never forget my roots.”
Those roots, as one might expect, are linked to skating. She started skating at 6 years of age, learning to skate in a neighbor’s backyard rink. Soon she began more formal training with that same neighbor at Troy’s Knickerbocker Arena. By the time she was 12, she was ready to work alongside the Olympians as she began training at Lake Placid, as a member of the Skating Club of Lake Placid.
After graduating from Columbia High School, she went to college at the University of Delaware where she studied for four years and eventually became president of the school’s Figure Skating Club, leading them to national honors.
She pays tribute to her family and neighbors for inspiring her to love ice skating and credits the pros at Lake Placid for honing her technique. But, she says it was her experience as a solo performer and member of a team at college that most prepared her for skating as a professional with Disney and understanding the value of teamwork.
Di Mura points out that in college, a team wins a competition through an accumulation of points. An individual’s winning score is very important, but only as part of the whole as it is total team points that determines the winner.
“Ice skating is an individual sport, so the opportunity to be on a team and work collectively with others for a common goal is the mindset necessary to be on a tour. We have 35 people in the company, 30 of whom are on ice. There is no room for divas in our show. As professionals, we give our all on the ice but we cannot forget we are telling a story for the audience. We must all work together for that purpose.”
As for the story Disney on Ice is telling, Di Mura could not be more enthusiastic. “I love this show,” she gushes. “It’s a story about true love between two sisters. I have a younger sister, so I really relate to how Elsa will do anything to protect Anna.”
As for her character, Di Mura finds Elsa’s growth to be inspiring. “This is a story about someone learning to be who they were meant to be. It’s about a woman finding her power and the audiences really relates to that.”
She says she still gets goosebumps when during her climactic solo number “Let It Go,” the audience starts to sing. It’s a touching moment for everyone.” However, because of her comments, one suspects that the reprise ice ballet with Anna is her personal favorite. “That number is what “Frozen” is all about - two sisters who love each other,” she says. ”It’s very emotional.”
“Disney on Ice: Frozen” is at the Times Union Center, Albany, from December 1417. For schedule and ticket information, call 800-7453000.