‘Disney on Ice’ in Johnson City Feb. 26-March 1

A choreographed clash of poetry and athleticism, humor and heart. Plug imagination into the equation, and then you have “Disney on Ice.”
Scheduled to skate from Feb. 26 through March 1 at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn., the venerable “Disney on Ice: Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey” amounts to much more than simply placing skates to ice. What follows is what matters.
Take imagination. Neither the name nor face of Michael Kho would register with anyone in attendance. However, when he steps into the character of Peter Pan, he steps into the skin of a star.
“I want to give them Peter Pan,” Koh said emphatically by phone recently from Portland, Maine.
Which means that Kho parlays the ebullient and eternally young Peter Pan as such. Ideally, when fans watch Kho skate, they do not see him – they see Peter Pan.
“Peter Pan is the boy who does not want to grow up,” Kho, 35, said, “which is perfect because I’m a man who does not want to grow up.”
So when Kho laces his skates for each night’s show, he steps into his own Neverland, into a land of make-believe. Therein, Mickey and Minnie prompt memories, Goofy makes us laugh and Kho as Peter Pan takes to the sky.
“I get to fly,” Kho said. “It makes me feel like Superman every day.”
Now, of course, Peter Pan is but one character in a show full of Disney mainstays. Folks young and young at heart can look for characters from such Disney smashes as “The Lion King,” “Little Mermaid” and “Lilo & Stitch.”
Regarding the story, think whirlwind.
“Mickey and Minnie are going on a trip around the world,” Kho said.
Whereupon Mickey and Minnie cross paths with fellow Disney stars while en route. Characters from Disney movies fill a full cast.
However, Kho refrained from revealing more of the show’s story. Otherwise, he said, those who intend to attend could be short-changed somewhat in terms of surprise.
“Every night, you are performing for people who might have never seen the show,” he said. “I never want to cheat the audience out of the performance.”
Consequently, sweat mixes with devotion and love of character for Kho and his cohorts on ice. Vigilant preparations off the ice fuel flawless performances on the ice.

Now, combine that with the grind of the road.
“We do up to 12 shows per week,” Kho said. “We tour six to 10 months per year. But it’s great. I’ve been all over the world doing something I love to do.”
Kho’s not an actor per se. He’s a former junior skating champion. Yet, both avenues share a common bond.
“I like to show off,” Kho said. “It’s definitely a rush.”
Indeed, in the span of several hours, Kho shines as a star on the ice then fades to a face in the crowd. Cheers, he loves them. The show, he loves that too.
“It covers the span of generations,” he said. “The story is timeless.”
Then again, so too is the character that Kho becomes each night. Like a child in flight through a world spun round on the wonder of imagination, the audience in Johnson City will not be the only ones enriched with entertainment.
“To be honest,” Kho said, “just being able to play like Peter Pan is the best.”

IF YOU GO
What: “Disney on Ice: Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey”
When: Feb. 26-27 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 28 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and March 1at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Where: Freedom Hall, 1320 Pactolas Road, Johnson City, Tenn.
Admission: $17.50-$34.50
Info: (423) 461-4884
Web: http://www.disneyonice.com

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .