To get in character for the role of Woody from Disney’s “Toy Story” series, James Ward doesn’t really have that far to go.
Growing up, Ward had a Woody hat and belt, had his room set up like Andy’s room and had a passion for the “Toy Story” movies.
“I was a dork,” Ward said. “But I’ll tell you, I knew the story line very well.”
Ward will do his best portrayal of Woody the Cowboy — including his knack for throwing a lasso — during the “Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show” coming to Everett’s Comcast Arena on Sunday.
The “Rockin’ Road Show” promises a high-energy adventure for the family with hip music, eye-catching choreography and one-of-a-kind scenery, along with favorite Disney characters such as Buzz and Woody from “Toy Story,” Cinderella and Tigger.
Newer characters, such as Jessie the Cowgirl from “Toy Story,” will also be introduced in an onstage medley of modern and traditional songs that will give parents a chance to fondly remember their Disney favorites.
In fact, Mickey Mouse will be in the house.
He will be there with Minnie, Goofy and Donald, who plan during the first part of the show to hold a talent show but realize they don’t have enough acts to pull it off.
So Mickey decides to take it on the road and search the country by bus to discover new talent.
“The overriding theme of this show is that teamwork is really what’s holding this entire unit together,” Ward said in a phone interview from Arizona. “There are occasional little mishaps along the way … but it all ends up great.”
Ward, 22, who graduated from Mount Baker High School and attended Whatcom County Community College, has been with Disney since 2005 and now is part of Feld Entertainment, which is producing the show and also produces “Disney on Ice.”
Ward said that during the “Toy Story” portion of the show, the cast does the Randy Newman song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” and a hoedown number with Jessie.
And of course, there’s Buzz Lightyear.
“He happens to be a really good friend of mine off stage but onstage the relationship is similar to ‘Toy Story’ in that we are very competitive,” Ward said.
“But in the end, it all comes down to really knowing who your true friends are.”
And though Ward is obviously partial to the “Toy Story” act, he said audiences will really enjoy Tigger, who apparently has “some crazy stuff up his sleeve.”
In addition to his love of all things Woody, Ward had another advantage to playing that part: He is more than 6 feet tall and has the lankiness to pull off being a pull-string toy filled with sawdust.
“I am the tallest in the show,” Ward said.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
“Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show”
12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett.
Tickets are $48, $30, $25 and $18. Call 866.332-8499 or go to www.comcastarena.com.
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