April 25, 2003
HALLMARK SKATING SHOWCASE (Colorado, USA)
by Cookicrisp02
I attended the Hallmark Skating Show last Friday in Colorado Springs. Overall it was a great and sweet show that highlighted Mother's Day. I'll just comment on Katia since she is the person of interest on this website. Oksana, Brian Boitano, and Katia came out first in the opening number which featured Grieg's Morning Mood, then the rest of the cast followed. I believe Katia wore the same outfit (light blue sparkling top and chiffon skirt) that she wore in the Last Train to Clarksville number at the Divas show. Each skater did a few moves in the opening number. Katia did a quick, short forward spiral then transitioned into a cannonball-like sit spin into her signature back attitude spin where she holds her left knee and her free leg is positioned behind her.
The first number she skated to was Kaci's Paradise, but she wore a new outfit for the number. It was kind of hot pink/orange blend, which was more simple yet elegant as opposed to the trendier orange dress she wore in the same number earlier in the season. She performed the routine flawlessly except for a fall on her triple toe which she re-skated during retakes. After she finished the number, Vern Lundquist announced Daria, who came out with a cute little black and white halter skating dress. Both mother and daughter did a little routine to a song that goes, "Hey Baby, will you be my girl?" It was very playful and almost pairs-like except there were no lifts. They basically skated in sync for most of the routine gliding around the ice. Daria did a sit spin and Katia skated in circles around her the way Ilia did during Katia's layback in Casi Un Bolero. Katia looked more relaxed skating alongside Daria than I ever saw her skating. Daria is a consummate entertainer. She was a natural and enjoyed every moment in the spotlight. She exudes this sense of confidence and takes on this commanding presence on the ice. The moment was definitely a treat to see this G&G pair.
Katia skated to Dreamcatcher for her second number where she wore the grey-blue unitard with cutouts. It was a serious routine, but she fell on two sequential jumps. She did not do any re-takes for this number which most likely will not be aired.
For the finale, all the skaters came out and each stood near the edges of the rink. One by one, each did a little routine to REM's Shiny Happy People. Daria came out with Katia. When it was there turn, they skated in sync to the other end of the rink where they did side by side double jumps and landed them in sync!!! The crowd screamed with amazement. The skaters formed a line in the middle of the rink and took their bows. Katia was at the end and Daria was between Brian B. and someone else. Then they skated to the end of the rink near the tunnel and each skater received a bouquet of roses. They took their final bows after that and started the re-skate portion. Katia came out to correct her fall on the triple toe and landed it perfectly on the first try.
At the end of the show, some little girls skated around the rink giving out a white rose with pink tips on behalf of Hallmark to the women in the audience in appreciation for Mother's Day. In summary, the show was great and touching especially the performances by Jenny Kirk and Brian Orser as tributes to their mothers, and of course, Katia and Daria's unforgettable routine. The crowd was so incredible, loud, and excited that I thought I was at a football or basketball game, however, this crowd was very supportive and encouraging to all the skaters. In fact, Lea Ann Miller, who directed the show mentioned that it was the best audience they had all year. Perhaps it was also the best show they produced all year as well.
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