SOI in Baltimore and DC [Archive]

Debbie S

12-29-2002, 10:15 PM

I went to the Baltimore show. We had on-ice seats, right in the middle, so it gave us a great view. In fact, we were so close to the ice that I remarked to the others in our group that I wanted to go skate! As a skater myself (I've been taking lessons for a little over a year), I was glad to have a chance to see the skaters up-close and observe their edges, spins, jumps, etc. Plus, you really feel drawn into each number when you're at ice-level.

Act I:
Opening Act - Ozzy Osbourne instrumental music. Nice opening. Cast was introduced one-by-one at the end.

Alexei - Born to Be Wild. He wore a leather jacket. Great speed. Good jumps and spins. I can't remember which number had which, but I remember him doing several 3 toes, a 3 flip, and 2 axel, possibly a 3 sal. Hip didn't seem to be bothering him, but i imagine if it was, he's probably good at disguising it.

I/Z - Bed of Roses. Good number for them. Their only solo. Had their usual lifts and moves. Kyoko looks so beautiful and athletic up-close.

S/P - Come Fly With Me (not the Sinatra version). Fun, cute number. They really look happy. Perhaps it was the lighting, but Jamie appeared to have reddish hair. Perhaps a recent highlight job? Or maybe it was the lights.

Todd - Channel 1 Suite - I saw this on the Canadian Open broadcast and Todd appeared to be a little uncomfortable with it, but he definitely looks comfortable now. Great presentation, with his usual incredible spins. I believe he landed a 3 axel in either this or the opening number. He too looks very happy.

Katarina, Gorsha, John Z - a number called Hotter Than Blue. OK number, nothing too memorable. It ended with both men lying on the ice (facing opposite directions, with their heads almost touching) holding Katarina face-up above them.

Alexei - Overcome. I've seen this many times on TV and it was great to see in person. His usual impressive footwork.

M/S - I'm Your Man - Their only solo. Many of you probably will remember Gary Beacom doing this at pro comps 5-7 years ago or so. They did a nice job. Jenni stepped out of their throw (I believe a 2 axel). Last year, she fell on the same move and skidded into the first row of seats, so it was good to see a less painful result for her this year. I think this might be their last year in SOI. Although they never really "wowed" me, I will miss them for their great basic skating and their personalities.

Kurt - How Do You Keep the Music Playing. Nice number. Kurt shows his "softer" side.

"Power Play" - This was a joint number with B/S and S/P to "Sing, Sing, Sing" with Todd skating around both couples with a microphone, reciting a long poem (it's in the program, so you can follow along) about training, competing, judging during breaks in the music. At the end, both pairs shake hands with each other. good lifts and other pair moves, but I found the whole thing a little contrived.

Act II:
Opened with Elena, Kyoko, Jenni, Renee, and Jamie standing along the first row in sequined tops, jeans, boots, and cowboy hats doing dance moves facing the audience. jamie was literally right in front of us. I got a kick out of some people behind me debating who she was and finally deciding she was jamie, as she stood within earshot of them - she waved (this was right before the music started). As they women moved around the perimeter and ended up at one end together, Kurt, David, Todd S., Gorsha, Alexei, and John came on to the ice (wearing jeans, t-shirts, sleeveless vests, and cowboy hats) skated down to the end, and picked up their partners (I think it was Kurt who carried Elena) and carried them off the ice. The music was something called "A Little Less Conversation", kind of a rock/country sound. The number ended with the men placing their cowboy hats between their legs. This was actually the only number w/ sexual innuendo attached to it - I guess considering last year's show, it was a relief.

Katarina - The Rest of Your Life. Well-skated, with a 2 axel and 2 toe. Her only solo. I really admire Kat's skating technique.

Todd - Miserere. Dramatic number, vintage Todd. Great jumps, great spins, great speed - what else can I say? I'm glad Todd's going to be on SOI for a while - now I know I have at least one chance a year to see him live.

R/S - The Prayer (the Groban-Church version they skated to at the Oly closing). I was so glad to see this live. One of the highlights of the evening for me. Great edges, speed, and overall presentation. I'm going to miss not seeing them live after this year - please Sandra Bezic et. al, bring them back!

Kurt - Slippery Side Up. This was the comic relief of the evening. Kurt wore big jeans w/suspenders, a t-shirt, and a snow hat. He first went on to the ice w/ his skate guards on, teetered around and found his way over to the laps of several audience members (not me, unfortunately :) ), finally took off his guards and handed them to an audience member, then proceeded to stumble around, spending a good deal of time lying on the ice. It was cute, and I guess Bezic and Co. decided the evening needed something humorous, but I'm glad this was the only number that did that. of course, Kurt pulled it off like no one else could. He's not Scott - he doesn't need to be.

I/Z, M/S, R/S - did a group number called "Love on the Rocks", sung by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman (is this from "Moulin Rouge"?) The men wore outfits made to look like tuxedos and the women wore dresses w/ black velvet tops, colored sashes, and white skirts with shiny colored circles. OK number, nothing too memorable.

B/S - "Mme T. After Hours" - Elena gets rolled on to the ice by Kurt on a dolly draped in a white cloth while Anton stands at one end covered in white cloth. When they are revealed, Anton is in an Elvis costume and Elena is in a replica of that white dress Marilyn Monroe wore in some movie. They skate to a medley of Elvis songs and songs sung by Marilyn Monroe. Good skating, with their usual lifts. They did one throw, landed perfectly. This was their only solo.

S/P - Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin. Same number from the Hallmark comp, although I think a couple of moves were added to the show version that weren't allowed in pro-am comps, such as a Detroiter at the end (I don't recall seeing it before). Again, a really fun number, with great presentation, skated perfectly.

Alexei - His "Racing" program that I believe was supposed to be his SP for the season. Skated well. Great to see his footwork live!

Finale was to "Can't Stop" by Will Smith. The men wore shiny black shirts and black pants and the women wore magenta dresses w/ black netting on top of the fabric.

Those of you who have been to SOI before know that at the end, the cast steps into the first row to shake hands. Being in the ice-level seats, we got to shake hands w/ Anton and David. Unfortunately, Todd and Kurt went to the other side. :(

With the cast changes, SOI certainly seemed different this year. I think it's just going to take some time for everyone to jell. It seems strange not to see Kristi Y, Scott, Roz, or Paul, since they were the nucleus of the cast for so many years. The show is definitely improved over last year. On the way home, our group agreed that we all approached the show w/ a "We'll give it one more year to see if it gets better" mindset, and we were not disappointed. I mailed in our order for seats for next year this afternoon. (The order form gives you the option to get on-ice seats for $80 ($55 is the next lowest price), and we decided to go for it again.

I wonder if SOI has become too expensive for the average family. The arena was only about half full, the worst attendance I think I've seen at an SOI show here. Either it was the price, the fact that it was during a holiday week(end), or last year's show being so awful - but people definitely stayed away. i sure hope the arena is fuller next year; otherwise, SOI may take a permanent hiatus.