Mickey Mouse and his friends bring the magic closer to New Jersey fans than ever before with the all-new Disney on Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party! The innovative show set for Newark’s Prudential Center this November isn’t the average Disney on Ice performance. Mickey’s Search Party utilizes state-of-the-art technology and visually immersive elements to captivate new and veteran guests. Notable Disney characters that fans know and love – like Moana, Minnie Mouse, and Ariel, among others – will light up the ice in this participatory adventure. Among the performers and acrobats are two world-class ice skaters who call New Jersey home.
Jessica and Brendyn Hatfield portray Jasmine and Aladdin from Aladdin and Jesse and Woody from Toy Story. Photograph courtesy of DiGennaro Communications.
Jessica Hatfield, 32, grew up in Morris Plains. She plays Jasmine from Aladdin and Jessie from Toy Story in Mickey’s Search Party. Her husband, 33-year-old Brendyn Hatfield, who plays Aladdin and Woody from Toy Story, is originally from Seattle. The two met in 2009 while performing with the “Holiday on Ice” European tour.
Jessica and Brendyn both have competitive-skating backgrounds, having participated in regional competitions when they were very young and obtaining double gold medalist certifications. From there, they transitioned to performance skating. When they’re not on the road, the real-life and on-ice couple resides in Jessica’s hometown.
“This is the most interactive Disney on Ice show yet, which is really exciting,” Jessica says. “Children love seeing us dressed up as their favorite characters.”
After Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse open the show and welcome everyone into the magical world of Disney on Ice, the characters embark on an adventure to bring back Tinker Bell’s magic after it’s been stolen by Captain Hook and his pirates.
“We ask the audience for help to bring the magic back,” Brendyn says. Audience participation is essential to the narrative. “We rely on their participation to move forward with the scenes.” It will, in turn, be a treat that families can enjoy.
Jessica and Brendyn Hatfield, world-class ice skaters. Photograph courtesy of DiGennaro Communications.
Jessica’s and Brendyn’s favorite part of skating with Disney on Ice?
“We really feel the energy from the audience,” Jessica says of the immersive extravaganza. “It’s a magical experience for the audience and for us as skaters.”
The show will cycle through scenes, settings and songs from Disney movies like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and Peter Pan.
Miguel from Coco makes his Disney on Ice debut to journey across the Marigold Bridge into the mystical Land of the Dead (complete with a vibrant performance of skeletons atop sway poles dancing over the audience in a cultural celebration of family). In the wintry world of Arendelle, Elsa builds her ice palace with a kaleidoscope of crystals. Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Jessie recruit the Green Army Men and the audience for a daring rescue in Andy’s room. Even Captain Hook’s pirates will provide merriment as they flip, tumble, and twist on air tracks, stilts, and more in an effort to showcase their talents for Captain Hook.
“Our goal with any show, no matter where you are in the world, is to deliver transformative performances that captivate audiences time and time again,” said Nicole Feld, Executive Vice President and Producer for Feld Entertainment. “We have pushed the action past the ice, expanding the stage beyond our traditional surface. The excitement will not only happen in front of fans but all around them with characters emerging from the stands in unexpected places for one-on-one delightful moments.”
Disney on Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party will leave families with memories that will last a lifetime.
Show dates and times for Disney on Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party at Newark’s Prudential Center are as follows:
Thursday, November 1 – 11am, 7pm
Friday, November 2 – 7pm
Saturday, November 3 – 11am, 3pm, 7pm
Sunday, November 4 – 11am, 3pm
For more information, visit the Disney on Ice website or call 800-745-3000 to purchase tickets.