Fairfax, Friday, April 3, 1998
The weather was about as good as it could get for skating in Virginia this time of year -- coolish and overcast, a bit humid but not unbearable. It must have been more comfortable than Richmond and Norfolk the last two days.
The show was *excellent*, with most of the skaters at or near their full potential. It was an on-and-off night for Kurt, and Scotty seemed tired (nothing harder than doubles and some intentional *singles*) -- which isn't surprising. Paul, on the other hand, was intensely "on" (doubled both his Lutzes, but landed everything else, and really poured out the emotion -- I stayed dry-eyed only because I didn't want to miss a single instant of this, the last time I ever expect to see him skate in person).
Of all people, Chris Dean caught an edge and took a header in the darkness during the introduction -- I doubt anyone else noticed. I liked the way it started out with and introduced everyone *but* Scott, and then the lights went searching around the arena while the skaters serpentined around the ice faster and faster to the increasing tempo of the music -- and then the last time they sweep by the entrance, Scott nips in so smoothly that you hardly even notice. One instant he's not there, next instant he is. Of course he got resounding cheers and a partial standing O just for setting foot on the ice. Then he proceeded to earn more cheers and another partial SO with a very intense performance of "Heartbreaker". Directly across from me two people held up a huge two-part sign that said, "BACK FLIP" (one word on each sign), and of course Scotty obliged. :-)
Note: the Fairfax crowd seemed a bit subdued, possibly because of homeboy Michael Weiss's less than successful showing in the men's final at Worlds the night before. If he'd hit it big, I think the crowd would have been going wild all night.
It's a pity the five-way number "No Quarter", with Kristi, Brian, Roz, Renee & Gorsha, didn't get more play on TV. This is the sort of thing that SOI has done best since at least 1989, setting up mix-and-match ensembles and letting the dynamics of the different styles play against each other.
Kurt on hockey skates v. Paul in regular figure blades is hardly a fair contest, though it's amazing to see what Kurt can do without toepicks and with blades optimized for power, not agility. They were both awesome, and why oh why hasn't Paul tried some of those innovative moves *before* this year?
Elena & Denis were their usual sparkling selves, and were well received, as this is not far off their home base (Richmond, VA).
Like most people, I tried guessing who the assorted Muses (the Men/Women in Black) were, and was very seldom wrong. The first Muse was definitely Brian Orser -- that scissor-kick mazurka jump really gives him away. :-)
I'm not wild about Katia's "3 Preludes" number, but I like the whitecatsuit with black lace top much better than the red striped Mack Sennett bathing suit. She crumpled on her 3toe (is she ever going to get that jump consistent?), but did a lot of lovely doubles. I still think the middle section isn't skating, it's "lallygagging", which I object to from *anybody*.
The next group of Muses were, as far as I could tell, Brian O (backflip gave him away this time), Roz (the blond pinned-up hair - Elena has hers cut very short now), Renee, Gorsha,and Kurt.
Kristi's "SWAK" number was well delivered and she hit all her triples. It's just that she seems to perform very well whatever she's given to do, without putting much of herself into it. Who is the real Kristi Yamaguchi? We may never know, because she presents such a smooth interface to the world. (In the Yiddish theater the name for this type of performer is a "schauspieler", and they are well regarded because they are hardly ever any problem to work with.)
Paul's approach couldn't be more different -- similar technical proficiency, but delivered with his whole heart and soul. "Sleepers" is a quintessentially Paul program, difficult, complex, enigmatic, and so very intense that even if you don't follow what it's "about", you're spellbound by the mood he creates. (Paul is probably what the Yiddish theater calls a "darfsteller", or self-directed star, who internalizes *everything*. They can be very difficult to work with -- but not, I think, Paul.)
As to what the program is "about", I read it as the latest and most ambivalent of his meditations on good and evil in the human heart.
Scott's "With One More Look At You" brought down the house, of course, as well as provoking a few poignant thoughts of what a void would have been left in the skating world if he had not been able to come back for that one look. It was shortly before this point in the show that people began holding up the backs of their programs with the huge "6"es printed on them for performers they especially liked -- during this number some people began inverting the programs so that the "6" became a "9".
Jayne & Chris's trunk tango was side-splittingly funny and sublimely beautiful -- they are arguably not only the best ice dancers that have ever been, but the best we are likely to see for a long, long time.
Much has been said of "Fun & Games", and it really *is* too much to take in all at once. I was going cross-eyed keeping one eye on Paul and one on the other goings-on. Not only is his character name "Evian Merry", a sly tribute to his own coaches, he has borrowed a number of Evy's mannerisms (the heavy coat, the high-held jutting chin, the pompous but likable manner) and for all I know some of Mary's too. :-) One of the underpublicized highlights of this number is the one where he simultaneously charms and inspires both of his rival pupils (Katia, aka "Lily Pureheart" and Kristi, aka "Annie Ne'eragain"). *Why* has he been keeping such a comic talent hidden under such a big bushel?
The line about "Gorky & Park" changing their name to "Pasha" got a roar of laughter here too, as did "Lily" holding her skate up for the judges in a tearful plea for a reskate a la Tonya and Kurt's quotation of Philippe's "sword-fighting".
Having the "judges" in British barristers' wigs and robes gains a lot more point with two Brits (Jayne & Chris) and a Canadian (Brian O) among them. They were very funny in their over-the-top reactions to the things they didn't like (the "South American Red Ant" dance) and did like ("Plan B", Kurt).
I said this was an "on and off" night for Kurt -- and during his "Cyril Lutz" number he was definitely "off". All the jumps were problematical, and he crash-landed the combination -- which caused Scotty, ad-libbing as "Swifty", to dub it a "brilliant invention - the triple toe-double cheek". He still won, of course, and still with 5.9s, which was especially pointed given the previous night's Worlds men's final.
I stayed glued to my seat for the whole intermission, not wanting to miss anything -- and sure enough I spotted the Muses (Paul, Roz, Kurt(?), Brian, Katia, Kristi(?), and a seventh who I'm pretty sure was Doug Ladret (he was also the guy who held up the Very Big Check in "Fun & Games") winding their way up one far side of the arena and down the other far side to the center of the ice where their skates were waiting on a bench. I think Roz was the first to finish lacing up, and one of the other women (Kristi?) was last. No mistaking Paul once he got his skates on and started those swooping outside and inside spread eagles all over the ice! Nobody else does them like *that*!
Renee & Gorsha's "Time to say Goodbye" was a little too "South American Red Ant", but the music is intensely moving and, given the approaching end of the tour and of the tenure of several of the skaters, especially poignant.
Brian had trouble with the jumps in "Story of My Life" (and looked disgusted after singling the first double Axel), but it was still a heartfelt performance (is it ever not?). He's the most intimate of the top male professionals, inviting you to share a moment as though asking you into his house for a cup of tea.
No mistaking Scott in the air-guitar intro to Roz's "Sweet Rosalynn" -- but who was that mugging from the mezzanine? Couldn't be Kurt -- there's not enough time for him to get back downstairs and change. Maybe it was Doug again. If so, his "Muse" cameos were a nice way to keep him part of the show.
Roz was typically Roz -- good as always, but never quite set the ice on fire. Still, every show needs at least one dependable trouper, and where Stars on Ice is concerned, she's it.
Kurt's "Antares" was an "on" number, no obvious mistakes and not more than one or two intentional doubles (if that). Mom ate it up with a spoon -- she's a major Kurt fan.
The next pair of Muses were recognizably Renee (her earrings) and Gorsha (his collar-length blond hair).
It's a pity that Elena & Denis's "Joue Jusqu'au Matin" has not yet been televised, and a greater pity that they're not going to do any more long tours. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to see them in pro comps, one-off shows and short runs from time to time. At least I hope so.
Speaking of great changes for next year, it's going to be very strange and a bit sad not to see Paul any longer. Apparently he feels the same way about it, for there was an especially bittersweet edge to "Go the Distance" and he seemed especially determined to make the performance as good as he possibly could. He hit both triples clean as a whistle, but the Lutz was iffy so he doubled it. He got a partial standing O and a mixture of 6es and 9s.
Taken a piece at a time, the Presley medley is OK, but as a whole it's just another boring Bezic boy-and-girl piece. Kristi, Katia and Kurt did their parts without any problems (though I think Kurt scaled back a jump or two and Katia didn't even think about anything but doubles).
Jayne & Chris were totally sublime in "Still Crazy After All These Years", and a couple down the far end of the rink held up two programs side by side for a score of "99". They ARE that good. I hope the rumor that they're "retiring" after this tour is false, or means only that they don't plan any more extended tours. They would be too terribly missed. If "Pasha" thinks she and her pal can step into *those* skates, the peroxide *has* rotted her brain.
Scott's Wizard of Oz number brought the only full standing O of the night - there's nobody, but *nobody*, who can work a crowd like Scott.
The wistful mood of "Stairway to Heaven" was all too appropriate for a finale to a show that no one wanted to see end, and that featured a group who in all probability will never again be together for a night like this.
Certainly not in Fairfax, even though Scott promised that "We *will* see you next year!" It won't be the same, with so many familiar and beloved faces missing from the cast. But "Stars on Ice", whoever constitutes it, will go on as long as Scotty feels like lacing 'em up and leading the troupe around the country.
Maven
Bettina ([email protected])
Hi everyone, I went to SOI in Fairfax, Virginia on Friday April 3rd. I live in D.C and it should have been about a 20 minute drive but turned out to be an hour and a half because of traffic and we got lost!! We got there JUST in time to find our nosebleed seats. They were actually pretty good for nosebleed section. I was on the aisle so I could see better than my cousin who was sitting next to me on the inside. The
*ONLY* problem with the seats was everytime a skater moved under the section that stuck out we couldn't see anything!!=-( Like in Fun and games we couldn't see Cyril Lutz fall. I had to explain what was going on to my cousin... and sometimes we got a nice look at the skater's back sides! But that came in handy for checking out Kurt in those tight plastic pants! Thank goodness for opera glasses! Actually I didn't need the opera glasses but chose to use them to get a look at the skater's faces once in awhile. here are some highlights of my favorite numbers:
Act I
Get the led Out: fabulous as usual! Kurt in hockey skates... WOW! He slipped a little bit but of course he's so smooth he makes it look like he meant to do that. Big cheers for Torvill and Dean, they seemed to be the crowd favorites and of course Scott! Whole Lotta Love: This was excellent! They didn't do too many jumps but they did some really funky lifts.
Muses: it was fun to guess who they were. Even I had a hard time telling
3 Preludes: I don't really like this program too much but Katia did a
good job. I think she fell on her double axel (?) and other than that she was pretty good.
SWAK: Kristi was amazing!! I believe she hit all her jumps and the kiss lights were just too cute!
Sleepers: Beautiful! He doubled most of the jumps but did hit one triple. the audience seemed to really enjoy this program and cheered after every jump. NO ONE does spread eagles and spins like Paul.
With One More Look At You: What can I say?! The jumps were a little off but that doesn't matter because it was Scott!! partial standing O for him.
Fun and Games: THIS WAS HYSTERICAL! Scott's back was towards me and did you know he has a Tickle me Elmo stuck in his desk? I love the comment about the judges being totally fair and unbiased. HUGE laughs from the audience. Roz was SO funny as the skating mom!!! She was much more enjoyable in person than on TV. When Lily Pureheart fell, the skating mom fell over and started screaming, which I think they cut out on the TV. This happened right before the music saying "It's Over". Gorky and Park aka Pasha had the audience rolling. It would have been even funnier if they added that they died their hair blond and Renee came out in a blond wig! Paul was great as the coach and Kurt was hysterical as Cyril Lutz but unfortunately, from where i was sitting it was difficult to see what he was doing. The audience didn't hold up their "6" card though but they did flash it at Scott and Paul a few times during the second act!
During intermission I bought my program and an autographed picture of Katia in the Elvis program. Thanks to all you wonderful people on the internet I was prepared to pay a fortune for everything. My cousin was a little shocked at the horrid prices though.
Act II
The muses: Roz got her skates on the fastest. I could tell it was her because she's the only woman with brown boots! She is FAST!! There was a man next to her (Denis maybe?) who had his skates on and was lacing them up before Roz got her second skate on but she was the fastest.
Time to Say Goodbye: this is so beautiful! I love the costumes. Renee's costume looks like Sarah Brightman's dress on the CD cover. They did lots of neat lifts and tricks and this was an enjoyable program!
The Story of My Life: I love the slide show affect and the taped introduction. Very nice!! Brian is very quiet about what he does but he is fabulous! He only landed one triple but he did do the backflip which made the audience go crazy! Partial standing O
Antares-Kurt was FABULOUS! He hit all 5 triples and was just incredible as usual! The audience loved it and I loved it. This was a very funky number and much better in person than on TV with the cool lighting. Very 70's.
Go the Distance: I love this number so much. I knew the first time I heard this song that Paul should skate to it. His jumps were great but only one triple I think but it didn't matter because he was just wonderful! He skated better once the music picked up and fed off the audience's enthusiasm. Partial standing O and a lot of waving 6 cards!
Can't Help Falling In Love: Katia is so beautiful to watch! She was sexy and sweet and the jumps were pretty good. She didn't fall.
Are You Lonesome Tonight?: He did it again... landed all the triples! Very smooth operator! I can't say anything anybody else hasn't said except that Kurt is the king of the ice. (Scott is the GOD)
Trouble: Very flirty and sexy with two triple jumps landed!
The Show Must Go On: WOW!! Is there anything Scott CAN'T do? Everything seemed effortless! The costume changes were great but a little hard to see from the nosebleed section! I love the ruby red skates. how typical of Scott to be UPSIDE DOWN! and he landed two backflips to get a full standing O and flashing 6 cards!
Stairway to Heaven: LOVE the costumes! My cousin commented on how much everyone seemed to be like a big family! and that's the best way to describe the finale! Of course Scott did a backflip and he thanked everyone for coming and then it was over <SNIFF>!!=-( I want to go again next year if I can afford it and get a ride!!
I hope this review was OK. I can't tell the difference between the jumps and it was difficult to see from where I was. I hope you enjoyed it!
Robin in D.C
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