Baton Rouge, January 24, 1998
From Michelle
I went to the show with my brother, who actually seemed excited to be there. We had on-ice seats (sorry, Joelle) between center ice and the entrance for the skaters. While waiting for the basket to be delivered, I bought a $12 program at the less crowded table (fortunately, they had programs separate from the other merchandise). It's definitely worth it for the photos from this year's show.
The show started 15 minutes late, but the opening was so cool that it was definitely worth the wait. I did not see Scott come out; my brother's clapping signaled it.
FYI to Dallas: yes, Scott seems to be trying to grow a beard. It was quite stubby, but it's definitely growing along his jaw and on his cheeks.
I was so in awe during "Heartbreaker" I hardly noticed any jumps. I know he landed all of them, including a huge single axel in the beginning and two-in-a-row double axels in the end. He was fast moving with a great scratch spin. I think he received another full ovation at the end.
The Led Zepplin medley almost went by too fast. The highlights were Paul and Kurt. Paul matched every beat with such speed...Wow! Kurt on hockey skates was mind-blowing, and as he left the ice he glided on one foot passed us and posed with a goofy grin. It was hysterical.
When I saw the Lake Placid show on TV, I did not think that "Whole Lotta Love" would work for Elena and Denis. I'm glad to say I was wrong. My brother thinks Denis almost lost his grip of Elena when they did the "throw over the head, catch behind the back, out under the legs" move. But I didn't see that. But it was fabulous.
I love Katya's "Three Preludes" on TV. But there is a problem with seeing it live: most of her facial expressions faced the other side. But I enjoyed her lightness and her successful execution of all her jumps. And I remember my brother's soft "Ow" during her splits.
I loved how the muses pushed one another onto the ice before Kristi's number. And Kristi was in performing mode that night with her Louis Armstrong medley. I liked how she sold that number. Although she only did a double lutz, she later landed a huge triple flip, double toe combination.
Paul's "Sleepers" is more intriguing in person, but it's still not one of his best numbers, IMO. But I could not help but admire his line, power, and passion. Clean number.
"One More Look at You"- I tried not to cry during this number. He had to put his hands down on a HUGE TRIPLE LUTZ, but it only added to the beauty and the passion of the number. He received at least a 2/3 ovation at the end. And I truly believe he looked right at me at the end with that trademark grin of his.
Katarina was not really in performing mode that night. "Man of La Mancha" just did not have the same zest as I have seen on TV. But it was clean.
Fun & Games- I got a kick out of that. Local line: "...it's mind boggling like LSU at a NCAA championship" Everyone laughed; our basketball team has not done well at all over the last several years.
I loved the judges' skit, especially how they slid onto the bench. Now that bench was a problem; it was on our side, so I couldn't see Paul. But Denis was definitely having fun.
Plan B resulted in catcalls; Kristi's scream resulting from the same costume mishap was crystal clear across the arena; Kurt landed the triple axel.
But there was a prop problem. Roz's hairpiece fell when she dropped over the board (after Katya's "fall"). I didn't see most of it, but I think Paul couldn't stop laughing for a while as she waved it around like the dog. And as she left the ice, "Swifty" said, "lost hopes, lost dreams, lost hairpieces." She gave him a "Why did you have to say that" look and laughed as she left.
Act II Katarina won the lace-up competition. I liked the way Denis and Elena left the ice and the way Denis brought Renee onto the ice. Keep a lookout for it.
"Time to Say Goodbye" was enjoyable. Renee and Gorsha have great speed and line that just can't be appreciated on TV.
Brian's "The Story of My Life" was strong, powerful, yet not as raw as before. I tried not to cry again, and I at least gave him a standing ovation.
I loved Scott as the muse introducing Roz. It was as perfect as her huge double axel in "Sweet Rosalyn" (right in front of us). I clapped along the entire time.
That spread eagle of Kurt's in "Antares" is gorgeous, but I did not expect it to start in front of me. I almost jumped out of the chair. He fell on the first series of difficult footwork, but nailed the second series along with his jumps.
Katarina stepped out of her double axel in "It's a Man's World", but for the first time I actually liked the number. Strange.
Muses- Renee & Gorsha did some tricks and obviously expected a bigger response. Renee waved her arms upward; some stood while others cheered louder.
Elena & Denis were wonderful in the other number. Their variation of the death spiral was breathtaking; I won't describe it here. I just know I've never seen it before; you'll know it when you see it. Gorgeous lifts, solid throw and side-by-side double jump combination. I gave ovation.
Paul's "Go the Distance" was so moving; I almost cried again. He slipped after moving on from a huge double axel, but the other beautiful jumps almost made me forget. And the Russian split in front took my breath away.
The Elvis medley was beautiful. Katya was elegant, beautiful, and very balanced along all ends of the rink. Kurt's jump where he deliberately lands on two feet is far more breathtaking in person. He played it with just the right emotion. Kristi was sassy in her number, which I love in comparison to "Trouble" last year.
Katya seemed very comfortable while Kurt was trying not to laugh during "Surrender".
"The Show Must Go On" is vintage Scott. He was a kick. And it seemed he looked at us again a couple of times. Of course I was wearing Mardi Gras jewelry, so maybe they figured out that I made the basket...maybe.
"Stairway to Heaven" is far more breathtaking in person than I ever thought it would be. B&P's lift gorgeous, and right before us. Kat had a great scratch spin. Everyone did a great job.
In BowWow, I saw Elena and Denis up close, but I shook Kristi's hand. I started to ask her about the basket, but before I could a bunch of girls called her name and she took off. Oh well..
After the show, I went to see what merchandise was left. If there were any Scott sweatshirts, they were gone. But I did buy an ensemble picture as a souvenir.
I swore to myself that I would see the SOI tour one time in my life. After going for the first time, I'm planning on going next year...
Michelle
1997-98 Reviews | SOI Reviews | SOI Programs | SOI Links | Stars on Ice Official Page Joelle's Skating Pages