The Rafu Shimpo - L.A. Japanese Daily News

Humor on The Ice
By MICHIKO TAMURA
Rafu Staff Writer
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007

Japanese Skater Keiji Tsukamoto plays a comedic role in Disney On Ice.

Photo by JEAN C. VILLANUEVA
Keiji Tsukamoto performs one of the three comedic players in the Disney On Ice’s Disneyland Adventure.

Disney

Courtesy of Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Disneyland Adventure, produced by Feld Entertainment, is performing in the Los Angeles County and Orange County area now through Jan. 15.

Disney On Ice’s Disneyland Adventure is in town. The show takes the audience on a great adventure as everybody’s favorite super family, the Incredibles, experience an ice show version of Disneyland’s popular attractions like the Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Rafu asked Keiji Tsukamoto, 32, who is one of the three comedic players in the show, about the show’s behind-the-scene stories and how he became an entertainment skater.

RAFU: What is the highlight of Disney On Ice’s Disneyland Adventure?

KEIJI: The story of this show is about the Incredibles’ family vacation to Disneyland where they meet many Disney characters. When we visit Disneyland, you can enjoy all kinds of attractions. The highlight of this show is that this show is staged on these different attractions at the theme park so you would feel as if you are there. It’s something not only children but also adults can enjoy.

RAFU: How did you get involved in this production?

KEIJI: This is my ninth year with this company. When I was in Japan, I knew someone who was performing for Disney on Ice, and he inspired me to join this company. So, I went to an audition in Japan. Although it was very competitive, I luckily got an offer.

When I first started, I didn’t really know anything about show skating so I was just trying to enjoy doing that, but after many years, now I devote myself to this show and hope to continue for a long time.

RAFU: Disney On Ice has several productions touring the United States and internationally. And, this time, Disneyland Adventure is scheduled to run from Dec. 21 through Jan. 15 at various venues in the Los Angeles and Orange County area. How long did you spend preparing for this show?

KEIJI: This show was created last summer, and the joint preparation for the show was about two months. While the show moves place to place every week, we also individually train daily.

RAFU: How many performers are in this show? Are there any other Japanese skaters?
KEIJI: We have about 40 performers in this show, and there is also one female ensemble skater, Rie Takeuchi from Japan.

RAFU: You were born and raised in Osaka, Japan, and came to the United States after you graduated from Ritsumeikan University in 1998. How hard is it being a minority in this competitive entertainment industry?

KEIJI: Learning English was the toughest part. When I started working for this company, I couldn’t speak any English. Although the show didn’t require any talking, still I had to be able to communicate with other performers so I had to study a lot.

I’m still learning English. Whenever I feel stressed out about work, I always wish if I could complain in Japanese. Since most of my co-workers aren’t Japanese, I have to talk to them in English. But, there are things you can’t really explain in English if you are Japanese, and I feel frustrated sometimes.

But overall, I like living in America. Unlike Japan, this country is more free and open. And the land is very spacious, and doesn’t make me feel cramped in a confined space like Japan. So, I feel more relaxed living here.

RAFU: You began skating at 8 years old after you watched skating on TV and were inspired to learn to skate. And from there your life has been always about skating.

KEIJI: Yes. I started skating at 8, and when I was in high school, I went to inter-high school competitions and the National Athletic Meet. During my college years, I competed in inter-college competitions as well as the Japan National Figure Skating Championship. When I was in college, I was actually thinking about pursuing my career as a figure skating coach.

RAFU: But, you chose to become an entertainment performer. Why is that?

KEIJI: I’ve always liked to entertain people. But, competitions aren’t just entertaining the audience. It’s much more severe than that. You goal is always to win, and for me, it wasn’t something I could truly enjoy doing. Now, I can enjoy skating and also entertain the audience.

RAFU: Will you continue pursuing this career? Do you have any future plans in mind?

KEIJI: Yes. I want to skate as long as I can to make more and more people happy. In regard to my future plans, I am currently training on the land, which basically means that I’m learning some of the tricks from apparatus gymnastics. I’m thinking to use these techniques on ice so that I can add some more interesting aspects to skating.

RAFU: Why are you so fascinated with skating?

KEIJI: On the ice, you can do things that are normally impossible to do on the land..., things like the feeling you get when you skate smoothly on the ice. The feeling is nothing you would be able to experience on the land. That’s why I love skating.

Disney on Ice’s Disneyland Adventure will be held at the following locations: Honda Center in Anaheim, Dec. 27-31; Los Angeles Sports Arena, Jan. 3-7; and Long Beach Arena, Jan. 10-15. The running time of the show is approximately two hours and 15 minutes in length. Ticket prices are $60, $40, $25, $20 and $15. To order tickets, call (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000. For group ticket sales, contact at (877) 234-8425. To learn more about Disney on Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com

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