ALLENTOWN, Pa. — If one love story in the Disney on Ice show that opened Thursday at Allentown's PPL Center seems to be especially real, it's because it is.
One segment of "Disney On Ice Presents Into the Magic," which continues through Sunday, tells the well-known story of Rapunzel from the Disney movie "Tangled."
In it, the character Flynn Rider, originally a ruffian and thief, falls in love with Rapunzel and rescues her.
Turns out that the actors who play those parts — Jason Marsh as Flynn and Taylor Steele as Rapunzel — are real-life husband and wife.
"So we are prince and princess, if you will."Skater Jason Marsh, who portrays Flynn Rider of "Tangled" in "Disney on Ice: into the Magic" at PPL Center
"So we are prince and princess, if you will," Marsh said in a recent phone call from an arena in Albany, New York, where the show performed before coming to Allentown.
And their real-life love story fits well in Into the Magic, which promotional materials call a celebration of "the magic of courage, love and adventure."
In addition to "Tangled," "Into the Magic," has characters from Disney’s "Moana," Miguel from “Coco,” Belle and others from "Beauty and the Beast," "Cinderella,” “Moana,” and "everyone’s favorite sisters, Elsa and Anna" from “Frozen,” Marsh said.
“For the ‘Tangled’ segment, we’re out there for about 20 minutes," Marsh said. "We’re able to tell that story, with Flynn sneaking into Rapunzel’s tower and he’s got the crown and he starts out as kind of the bad guy.
"As it progresses, they're falling in love and we have a celebration at the end of it where they do fall in love. In that short period of time, we try to get the story across — kind of the change from bad guy.
“You really can see the audience throughout the whole thing. It is a great progression through the story.”
True-life romance
"Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic" is "an expedition across raging seas, snow-covered mountains and the marigold bridge," PPL Center said in a news release.
But Marsh said he and Taylor actually met in high school in their native Canada — though their relationship bloomed though Disney on Ice.
"I’m from Canada, and as a kid I was playing hockey, as pretty much every little Canadian kid does."Skater Jason Marsh, who portrays Flynn Rider of "Tangled" in "Disney on Ice: into the Magic" at PPL Center
“So, I’m from Canada, and as a kid I was playing hockey, as pretty much every little Canadian kid does," he said.
"Working on my skating skills, it just kind of developed I liked skating — the power skating side of it, and continued doing that. And then I stopped playing hockey and kept skating.
“I eventually was competing at a national level in ice dance. And then when I graduated from high school, I sent off the materials to see what school to go to, and I also sent off a skating resume to Disney On Ice through Feld Entertainment.
“And it came back and they said, ‘Yeah, we’d love to have you.’ And I thought, that sounds pretty cool — to go and travel the world and skate and entertain families and portray these characters.
“So I thought I was going to do it for a year, and that was in 2011," he said, laughing.
Marsh said he and Taylor "are from a similar area, we trained in a similar arena, so we trained together occasionally."
But she also joined Disney on Ice in 2016, and "then we started dating then and we got married in 2021.”
'Adventure with everyone'
Marsh said that, after more than a decade performing, "the skating side of it "kind of comes like walking does to most people. It really does become second nature."
So that leaves them the latitude to really portray the characters in a way that connects with audiences, he said.
“And there’s really that connection — they’re talking to you, it’s not just a show happening."Skater Jason Marsh, who portrays Flynn Rider of "Tangled" in "Disney on Ice: into the Magic" at PPL Center
"My wife and I have been skating for over five years and performing as characters together," he said. “So the acting-character is where we really can get to focus and do our best to bring those characters to life as true as they are in the movies.
"We’re big fans of the movies, and we try to do our best to bring those characters to life.”
He said that's made easier because "Disney on Ice: Into the Magic" has added live hosts to the show who “really bring the audience right into the show with us."
"So there are hosts that are out there with the microphone who are interacting with the children and the families. They do sing-alongs, and they really tell the story — they bring everybody into the story with them.
“And there’s really that connection — they’re talking to you, it’s not just a show happening. They’re out there with the audience and they’re interacting and having that experience.
"And they’re bringing you into the stories. And we go along on the adventure with everyone.”
'Happy amazing characters'
While people might think characters from newer Disney characters would get more of a reaction from the audience, Marsh said that's not the case
“Honestly, it’s a very wide range," he said. 'All of the characters are still popular amongst different groups and different crowds.
"They’re great role models and they’re just happy, amazing characters.”Skater Jason Marsh, who portrays Flynn Rider of "Tangled" in "Disney on Ice: into the Magic" at PPL Center
"Throughout the show, there are highlights here and there, but I wouldn’t say one character over another," he said. 'I would say everyone’s excited to see all of these characters right in front of them skating around.
“Many are obviously fan favorites — everyone loves Mickey and Minnie, so when they come out there’s always a huge reaction.
"Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, they’re always favorites of everybody — and what wouldn't they be? They’re great role models and they’re just happy, amazing characters.”
DISNEY ON ICE: INTO THE MAGIC, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.13; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, PPL Center 701 Hamilton St., Allentown. Tickets, $15-$48, www.PPLCenter.com or at the venue box office.
