Ice Work, If You Can Get It: 'Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic'

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» RELATED: "Ice Work, If You Can Get It: 'Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic'" [Express, Feb. 2010]

WASHINGTON LOOKS LIKE a winter wonderland, but we're still a continent away from the Winter Olympics. You might forget that, though, if you take a seat at "Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic" ($15-75), which will be skating its way through children's movie classics at the Verizon Center Wednesday through Monday. That fancy footwork isn't merely entertainment; it's a sports spectacle.

Just ask Mulan. The heroine is played by Natasha Kuchiki, who placed sixth in pairs figure skating at the 1992 Olympics. She's not going for the gold for Team USA anymore, but that doesn't stop her from wanting to wow the crowds. "There's still pressure because people save up to come and bring their families. If you don't have butterflies and adrenaline, something's wrong," she says.

The practice schedule isn't quite as grueling as when she was competing — back then she had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to balance school and twice-daily workouts. Now she doesn't need to do much more than perform, although with two to three shows a day, that's not so easy either. Plus, with age comes the need for extra stretching and longer warm-ups.

The daughter of an Ice Capades couple, who had skates on before she could walk, says the work is worth it to keep rocking the rink — and to know that she's inspiring the next generation of Olympians.

Photo courtesy Feld Entertainment