Milwaukee, February 26, 1998
My daughter Sarah and I traveled the 3 1/2 hours to Milwaukee and enjoyed our trip and the show. My only complaint is that it was over too soon.
The beginning of the show was nearly ruined for me by some rude people who came in late and of course they had to walk over me to get to their seats. This is SO RUDE --really--if you get to the show late--watch it in the back and wait until between acts before you walk all over people to get to your seat. And to make it worse this old biddy groused at me "Your purse is in the way--move your feet" That did it. I said "Well if you would have gotten here on TIME you wouldn't have a problem would you?" Grrrrr.....
Any ways....
When Scott made his arrival on the ice the audience went NUTSO. Standing ovation even before he began. I thought maybe he looked a bit tired. But he seemed to gain steam as he went along. He doubled his toe loop and I figured that he hadn't had much time to train during the Olympics and figured there was no way the lutz was going to happen. But more about that later.
I loved the whole first part of the show to Led Zeppelin--it all flowed together seemlessly. Kurt Browning was wonderful with his hockey skates footwork and Paul drove the ladies crazy with his pelvis moving spread eagles.
I think the first muse was Brian Orser--nobody moves on the ice like he does.
Katia-3 Preludes. This number has grown on me. But she really does it toward one side of the audience so we were treated to quite a bit of her backside. But she has such a cute back side--this was not a particular hardship. You have to see her in person to appreciate her speed and lightness over the ice. She landed the triple toe. Two footed her double axel and then she fell for no particular reason. That was the only fall that I could remember. But I did not keep notes.
Kristy's Louis Armstrong-- She really sells this number. I 'm kind of sorry she has two numbers so similar--wish she would have done at least one more classical number but oh well. Landed the 3 lutz no problem.
Sleepers--Typical wonderful Paul. He doubled every jump. Not that Paul Wylie needs to do triple jumps but it is still sad to see him doing only doubles--because you know he can't be happy with that. I wonder if the groin injury he struggled with the past few years hasn't caused some permanent problems.
"With One More Look At You" -- Get out your hankies for this one. Oh my--I was so emotional during this I don't even know if I can remember any of it. They light up different parts of the audience during the words "With One More Look at you" so it's like Scott is looking at us. And HE LANDED THE TRIPLE LUTZ! It was way in the corner and I don't know how much room he had--but he landed it. And the triple salchow! It was just beautiful. I love this number. Standing Ovation.
Torvill & Dean- "Tango" This is a very cute number. I don't think it's new--think I must have it on one of my videos--maybe Face the Music. He's reading the paper and she tries to get his attention and then they do a comedic tango. My daughter loved it and decided they were her favorite dance team.
Fun & Games--well you've all either seen it or heard about it--but despite how many times I've watched it on tape--it's still very funny. They don't show the judges's dance on TV--which is a hoot--the judges all skate by the skaters scare the skaters. Kurt Browning's footwork as Cyril Lutz is definitely from Scott's "Saber Dance" One reviewer said it was Paul's--nope I don't think so--that's why it is sooo funny when Scott says "Not up to the great Scott Hamilton of course" He also stole Philippe Candalero sword fighting scene as well. Landed both the triple axel and triple triple combo--no problem. Also at the end after Scott knocks him down he manages to climb back up and Scott throws him back down again.
Zamboni break
More muses--racing to put on their skates. It was easy to tell Roz because she's the only one with tan skates.
"Time to Say Goodbye" -Roca & Surr. I do enjoy this dance team--and I like this music--but I don't care much for this dance. Too much laying around on the ice and weird positions with her legs spread apart. I just don't care for that sort of dance.
Brian Orser was on for "The Story of My Life" Hit the triple salchow, triple toe and two double axels. He was throwing gorgeous high double axels all over the place all night long. Partial Standing O.
Rosalynn Sumners - "Sweet Rosalynn" - great number for her. Singled her double axel--but great otherwise.
Kurt Browning- "Antares" --You can tell he's probably the only one that got a chance to rest during this Olympic break. He was great. Triple loop--triple salchow--more than one triple toe I think. He is soooo with the music. Incredible.
"Joue Jusqu au Matin" --Bechke & Petrov--kind of a folk dance. Every trick in the book and then some. Throw triple salchow. My daughter was very impressed and said that Denis must be very strong.
"Go the Distance" -- Paul Wylie--he put everything into this --but the triples just weren't there for him. Partial Standing O and lots of professions of love when he was done.
Fever- Elvis Presley medley-- Kurt, Katia and Kristi. Fun number. I love watching Kurt's edges in "Are You Lonesome Tonight". Some people have thought Katia doesn't look comfortable doing sexy? I thought she looked pretty darn comfortable with the role.
Torvill & Dean "Still Crazy After All These Years" --I don't think this is new either. Nice number for them to do at this point in their career.
"The Show Must Go On" -- This was sooo Scott Hamilton. All the jumps were doubles but who cares? This number is not about jumps. He's really got the costume changes kinks worked out by now. Only he hadn't quite finished the headstand by the time the hat came off of him so we got to see him do it. Incredible fast footwork as usual. The facial expressions are priceless. Yup --another standing O for Scott Hamiltonn.
Stairway to Heaven -- Wah! I couldn't really enjoy this because all I could think of was that the show was almost over. Boo hoo.
Oh well at least I get to see it again next month in Madison.
Last year my family and I got to see the skater walk through the lobby while we had dessert in the hotel. My daughter and I were hoping for a repeat--but the skaters flew in and flew out for the show--didn't stay in town. Oh well. One of these days I'll get to meet him.
Joelle
1997-98 Reviews | SOI Reviews | SOI Programs | SOI Links | Stars on Ice Official Page Joelle's Skating Pages
