Getting whisked away by Disney’s magic can happen in your living room, at the movie theater, at a theme park or on Broadway. Now, it’ll happen on stage at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Thursday, when some of the most talented and brightest stars in theater will hope to enchant audiences as Ariel, Elsa, Belle and more.
Disney Princess – The Concert is coming to McAllen on Thursday and bringing with it the stars of the stage for a one-night-only show at the performing arts center, located at 801 Convention Center Blvd. The show begins at 7 p.m.
For Broadway star Syndee Winters, 36, the concert is not just for kids but also for those who are kids at heart.
“What is special about this show is that it gives an opportunity for those young at heart who loved the princess films in their VHS tape days, who would pop in their tape and watch ‘Aladdin,’ and they just grew up but they never stopped loving princesses,” Winters said. “They now have a place where they can come and sing along, come dressed up and really enjoy themselves.”
Although not wanting to give away the element of surprise, Winters said that the show will include classics like “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid,” “Reflection” from “Mulan,” “Beauty and the Beast” from “Beauty and the Beast” and other princess classics.
These songs will be performed by Winters and other Broadway stars — Sarah Uriarte Berry who played Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” Christy Altomare who played the original “Anastasia,” and Isabelle McCalla who played princess Jasmine from “Aladdin.”
Winters explained Tuesday that being part of the concert has not only brought back her childhood but also brings her back to her breakthrough role on Broadway.
She began her career on a Broadway tour in 2012 when she was cast as Nala in “The Lion King” musical, which toured nationally.
“I remember who I was with, the company of the lion king, what this show and this character have done for my life and just the memories that I have created and will continue to create,” Winters said with a reminiscing tone.
She’s also performed in “Motown: The Musical,” “Pippin” and “Hamilton.”
But this concert on Thursday speaks to her on another level, something that’s every fan’s dream.
“I’m excited to be a part of Disney Princess – The Concert because it really brings together four amazing Broadway stars — all women who have played princesses on Broadway — to celebrate the music of all the animated Disney princess films,” Winters said.
The first half of the tour concluded in April and for many attendees it was their first experience going out since the pandemic.
To be a part of those memories for people who were starved for stimulation means a lot to Winters.
“It just felt like a healing experience full of so much joy and excitement,” she added.
Winters — who will be portraying Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog,” Nala from “The Lion King,” Merida from “Brave” and Anna from “Frozen” —
“We celebrate them (the princesses) by sharing our backstage stories about what it was like to be princesses on Broadway and some fun tidbits about the princesses in the films,” Winters said with excitement in her voice. “We totally include them, break the fourth wall, we do a giant singalong. It’s a good time.”
Seeing the excitement in fans is also special to Winters, who loves looking at the audience.
In one city, her performance of “Beauty and the Beast” left people in tears, an experience that makes her emotional to this day just thinking about it, “because I remember where I was at the time of my life when I watched that film and that music is just iconic.”
Winter’s explained that throughout these shows she has experienced many moments that have stuck with her throughout the tour.
“The music, the behind-the-scenes stories I think are fun, and also just being able to sing along with a giant group of people,” she said. “It’s like a shared consciousness. We just all know the music and we’re all just going to sing our hearts out.”
Winters added that hearing the audience participation throughout the show brings her joy.
“I love listening to the little girls singing ‘Let It Go.’ It’s just so fun!”
Tickets for the concert can be purchased at disneyconcerts.com.
