Snow in Hollywood

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs participated in a “handprint ceremony” in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood yesterday. The event, attended by Disney fans, media and tourists, celebrated the debut of Snow White – An Enchanting Musical, a new stage show that premieres at Disneyland on Monday, February 23.

Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant greets the crowd. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant presided over the event, along with Disneyland Resort Ambassador Becky Murphy.

Snow White greets the press along the red carpet. Behind Snow White are the Dwarfs. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

As Grant and Murphy welcomed the crowd, a stretch Hummer limousine pulled up in front of the theater. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stepped out from the limo and made their way along a red carpet, stopping to pose for photos and sign autographs.

The Dwarfs perform the opening medley from the new show. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

At Grant's request, Snow White and the Dwarfs agreed to sing for the crowd, and launched into an excerpt from the opening medley from the new stage show.

Bashful and Sleepy look on as Sneezy brings a handkerchief to his face to try to suppress a sneeze. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Outside of a very brief sneak preview during a recent broadcast of Live with Regis and Kelly from Disney's California Adventure last month, this was the first public appearance of the Seven Dwarfs in their new costumes. Until now, the Dwarfs have been portrayed with rubber heads instead of human faces. However, the rubber heads were not practical for the Snow White musical, where all of the main characters sing and talk. The “new” Dwarfs have exaggerated facial features, including bulbous noses.

Snow White and Dopey dance on stage. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Left to right: Grumpy, Happy and Doc invite the crowd to sing along. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The new look makes it more difficult to tell the Dwarfs apart—one reporter had to ask for help telling Doc from Grumpy.

Leaving an impression: Snow White and the Dwarfs press their hands into the cement. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The following should make identification easier:

• Sneezy carries an oversized handkerchief
• Sleepy can frequently be caught yawning
• Bashful has a childlike expression, aided by high arched eyebrows
• Dopey sports a large pair of ears and his characteristic green coat.
• Happy looks quite a lot like an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with his snowy white eyebrows, beard and wide smile
• Doc is the only Dwarf that wears glasses
• Grumpy is usually seen with a frown on his face. He does, however, look to be the hardest of the Dwarfs to portray—during the handprint ceremony, Grumpy was actually smiling.

Snow White and the Dwarfs show hands to the audience after pressing them into the cement. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

After the song, Snow White and friends were invited to leave impressions of their handprints in trays of wet cement. The collection of eight handprints will be on permanent loan to Grauman's Chinese Theater, and will be displayed inside the lobby of the cinema. Donald Duck was similarly honored with a handprint ceremony, and his webbed footprints are on display outside the theater.

The handprints of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are on permanent loan at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Across the street from the theater is Snow White's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Viewing her star is easy to do for anyone going to Disney's El Capitan Theater, which is located across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Mickey Mouse also has a star on the walk, as does Walt Disney.

Snow White and the Dwarfs wave good-bye to the crowd. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Snow White – An Enchanting Musical opens at Disneyland on February 23, 2004 at the Fantasyland Theater. “Soft opening” previews begin on Monday, February 9, and “reserved” Annual Passholder shows are scheduled for February 23 to 27, and 29 at 6:00 p.m.