The soundtracks of Disney Princess movies have been on everyone's playlists at some point or another. Whether it be tear-jerker classics like "Tale as Old as Time" from "Beauty and the Beast," or funny tunes like "In Summer" with everyone's favorite singing snowman, Olaf, these iconic melodies continue to be enjoyed by Disney fans both big and small.
Ohio University students and Athens locals were given the opportunity to hear some of their favorite tunes in person on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Some of Broadway's most famous Disney Princesses were present, fulfilling the wish of many children and those who are still a child at heart.
These actresses included Christy Altomare, who starred in Broadway's original "Anastasia" and "Mamma Mia," Isabelle McCalla, who played Jasmine in "Aladdin," Annelise van de Pol who starred as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast," Chelsea Daniels who played in "That's So Raven" and finally Syndee Winters who played Nala in "The Lion King" and starred in "Hamilton."
The show was directed by music director Benjamin Rauhala, most famously known for his involvement in "Fiddler on the Roof." Adam Levy also accompanied the princesses in singing the role of the male counterpart in a multitude of different pieces.
The princesses performed various selections to cater to audience members of all ages.
Lavender Lewis, a first-grade Disney Princess enthusiast, was very excited to see the show.
Lewis said her favorite princess was Rapunzel and she was happy that many songs from the hit movie "Tangled" were played. She even dressed up for the occasion by wearing one of her favorite dresses which she had previously worn for Easter, she said.
Emily Harasin, a junior studying chemistry, said she came to the show because of her love for Broadway and the cast performing.
Harasin said she originally learned about the event by seeing a sign in Baker Center and decided she needed to go see the show and decided to drag her friends along.
"I'm a Broadway fan and I love 'Anastasia' on Broadway, so I really liked when Christie Atamira sang 'Journey To The Past,' but also just in general the four part harmonies and all the performers were so talented," she said.
David Angle said he decided to bring his granddaughter so she could enjoy the performance.
Layne, Angle's granddaughter, said she is a big fan of the movies and has been collecting the princess dolls for a while. Some of the ones she had collected included Mulan, Ariel and Jasmine.
She said her favorite Disney princess was Pocahontas but that she, unfortunately, did not have a Pocahontas doll yet.
Natalie Stevens said she decided to come to the show with her daughter because her sister-in-law had bought tickets, and her daughter is a huge fan of everything involving Disney.
"The girls love Disney," she said. "They love princesses and Disney Princess sing-alongs."
Stevens said her favorite part of the show was listening to the old princess songs, which she used to enjoy in her childhood. She said she would watch the movies on tapes as often as she could when she was young.
Stevens said her favorite songs so far came from the classic Cinderella.
"I'm an oldie so I like the goodies," she said.
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