Broadway stars dazzle in 'Disney Princesses: The Concert'

By Mark Bonifacio "Disney Princesses: The Concert" gathered international Broadway stars to perform the world's favorite Disney tracks in the last week of November across Manila, Cebu and Davao. The beautiful production held a press conference ahead of their shows, introducing the cast members and teasing concertgoers about the breathtaking performances lined up. In no particular order, Anneliese van der Pol is famous for her role as the final Belle in Broadway's "Beauty and The Beast." Aisha Jackson was the first black woman to play the character of Anna in Broadway's "Frozen." Krysta Rodriguez starred as Cinderella in "Into The Woods." Steffanie Leigh debuted as Disney's "Mary Poppins." Meanwhile, Adam J. Levy is in "Moulin Rouge" and "Waitress." Furthermore, Benjamin Rauhala is one of the most esteemed music directors on Broadway and, at the same time, the supervisor, co-creator, and host of the concert. The first stop was at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The Disney Princesses concert was an idyllic experience for Disney princess enthusiasts of all ages. As soon as the clock struck eight, excitement filled the theater, and the Broadway stars entered the stage wearing their respective iridescent dresses. A powerful number of "Starting Now" showcased the quartet's charisma and proficiency on stage with excellent harmony under the supervision of Rauhala. Leigh raised the excitement with her rendition of "Tangled's" "When Will My Life Begin," flawlessly portraying the vibrant character of Rapunzel. On the other hand, Rodriguez delivered an emotionally powerful number of "Mulan's" "Reflection." Van der Pol then performed "Brave's" "Touch The Sky" with glamour and conviction, later joined by the three songstresses. The chemistry between the princesses and Rauhala was impressive, naturally exchanging skits and witty banters while rendering phenomenal vocal prowess and stage command. For the next segment, they introduced the iconic first three Disney princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. Timeless tracks such as "So This Is Love" and "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" captivated the audience with their reminiscent sound and romantic lyrics. Another character worth presenting, Jackson delivered Nala's "Shadowland" from Lion King, showcasing the breathtaking range and control of the performer. Along with this, Leigh and the three singers presented Frozen's "All Is Found," promptly followed up with "Into The Unknown," powerfully concluding the first half. Furthermore, Rodriguez thrillingly performed "Moana's" "How Far I'll Go," whereas van der Pol cleverly honored the parents with "Tangled's" "Mother Knows Best." Right after, she alluringly delivered "Healing Incantation" and "I See The Light" with Levy. Every time Levy joins the stage to have a duet with a princess, the faces of the audience instantly light up as their dazzling chemistry draws viewers closer. The princesses then performed "Pocahontas'" "Just Around the Riverbend," followed by Rodriguez's "Journey to the Past" and Jackson's "Almost There." Incredibly, Leigh shared how she portrayed Mary Poppins for three years. She added, "It never felt like a job," charmingly delivering tracks namely "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Feed The Birds," and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." Ultimately, van der Pol, who played the final Belle, revealed how representing the role felt like a dream come true, then elegantly rendered "Belle" and "Tale As Old As Time." To conclude the spectacular evening, the Broadway stars performed a powerful hit track from Frozen, "Let It Go," filling the room with wonder and cheer. After the show in Manila, they performed two more concerts at the SMX Convention Center Davao and the Waterfront Hotel Cebu City, and you can guess the audiences' joy and thrill were just the same. Bravo, Disney Princesses!