March 16, 2005
STARS ON ICE (Cincinnati, OH)
by JulesG
Well, I just got back from Cincy, where I saw my second Katia & Ilia SOI. So, I thought I'd share my impressions. I don't identify jumps and I rarely remember individual elements, so don't expect that kind of review. ;-)
The two shows were identical in terms of content and performers, so I'll reveiw them at the same time focusing on Katia. First, let me say that I really enjoyed this years show. LOTS of Katia - she's integrated into the show in a way she was not during her "guest star" runs. She has a number of very cute bits in addition to her solos. And I got widely different perspectives on the show b/c in Toledo I was literally in the top row (it's a small arena, so the top row is only row N - about the equivalent of the top row of the lower bowl in many arenas) and in Cincy I was in the first row (right behind the penalty box) almost dead center ice. I didn't have my camera for Toledo (cause I'm a ditz and forgot to buy film), but I took 6 rolls in Cincy and if they come out, I'll share them.
Opening Number - I really like this years opening number. They are back to introducing each cast member, which I really like. Everyone was in it except Ilia (the guest star) Katia got loud applause at both shows. She seemed very relaxed and comfortable out there - I think she's enjoying being back as a real part of the show - it's a nice balance - lighter schedule but still getting the full experience of touring with SOI.
Todd skated first to Let Me Entertain You - and every time I see him live I am reminded how much more interesting and entertaining he is live than on TV. His charisma does not translate through the camera very well. This is not going to go down as one of my favorite numbers for Todd, but it was a nice opening number, and Todd opened and closed the show, which provided nice symetry.
Awakening - Katia skated this very well, though she did take a tumble on one of her jumps at each show - I couldn't see it that well in Toledo, but in Cincy it was a very hard fall - she skidded across the ice on her bum for at least a couple of feet. Then she popped right back up and kept on going, finishing the number beautifully. I really, really like this program. It suits her really well, which I would not have thought from listening to the music. As for the dress - it's prettier in person than in pictures, but it's still not my favorite of her costumes. The number is first rate, though.
I&Z "Harder and Harder to Breathe" - I am just so impressed with these two. There were a couple of dismounts and transitions that were a little bit akward because of the nature of the move, but these two are born entertainers. They sold this number and just did a fantastic job. It hink they've gotten even better in the last couple of years. The audience loved them.
Ilia - "A House is Not a Home" - Ilia is just amazing. I forget how big his jumps are when I haven't seen him live in awhile. He literally has "hang time"! LOL! I like this number, but I liked Green Tomatoes better. It was great to see Ilia live - he's always so much fun to watch.
TKO - This number is very cute. I don't think it's going to be as beloved as STUDZ was, but it's a great number. The audience seemed to enjoy it, too.
Sarah - Raindrops Will Fall - I was not impressed. Sarah is the weak link in this years cast, and unfortunately, she is heavily showcased - to the detriment of what is otherwise an outstanding show. This number was adequate. But, I've always thought Sarah needed more seasoning - and she still does - a LOT more.
B&S - If I Could - This was pure B&S magic. Absolutely breathtaking. They outdid themselves with this one, IMO.
S&P - Radar Love - This was a very cute, upbeat number and they did a great job with it.
There was the "You are Getting Sleepy" interlude here - which is very funny - got several laughs at each stop.
Yags - Passion - Surprisingly, I was not blown away by this. Maybe because I expected to be. It was a good number. The scarf bit is certainly dramatic. But I like Alexsei's skating enough without the tricks. But, I'll give him a break since he had surgery over the summer. He did a good job with it. And I loved the music. In Cincinnati, I noticed that he seemed to be getting a bit winded during this ... but he's got a lot of really tough footwork in this, so he probably was! LOL!
The Ride of a Life - this was a really great group number. Katia was in it, so of course it was great! LOL! What I kept noticing was that she has uncanny timing no matter who she is skating with! LOL! Then I noticed her saying something to Todd when they were skating in the roller coaster sequence and it looked like she was counting! LOL! So, maybe not so uncanny after all! HeeHee. She seemed to be having fun - she was even hamming it up a little bit at times.
Mr. Blue Sky - This was okay. Too much spotlighting of Sarah with the guys left in the dark (literally).
Katia - Heartburn - I have to admit, I did not expect to love this. But I did. She really sells it. I don't know if it's simply better live or if she has gotten more comfortable with it as the season has progressed. It's a fun, flirtatious number with lots of interesting stuff going on most of the time. She skated it cleanly both nights, too.
Steven - Come Back to Bed - Okay, I admit, I'm a diehard Steven fan - but this was a great number. I love his lyrical stuff. And the fact that he doesn't put his shirt on until he's already on the ice earned him more than a few cheers and wolf whistles from the crowd! The number itself is really good though - he's clearly worked hard on his footwork and his spins and it is paying off.
Step-sisters - THIS is an awesome number. From Steven's reaction when the girls rip of their pinafores to the silliness of the pinafore song to the sexiness and power of the "Doing it for Herself" portion of the number. Again, Katia was in it, so I was predestined to enjoy it, but this was just plain fun. Katia's interactions with Steven were funny.
There was an interlude here with the singing flea - which ends up accidentally squished.
Ilia - Green Tomatoes - I LOVE this number. I hadn't seen it live before and can I just say - WOW. The boy can skate! I knew that, but wow. He skated it beautifully in Toldeo. He had a bit of a flub at the end in Cincy. He was literally in the last couple of steps and he just went down - ended up on his back with one leg straight up in the air ... and he kind of skidded in that position and you could almost hear the "AW CRAP!" that must have been going through his mind. But, he popped up and did his final pose. The audience loved it - they laughed and cheered even louder. And were rewarded with emphatic kisses being blown to the crowd by our boy. Ever the showman and ever the pro.
There was an interlude here where Todd, Katia, Dave (and a bunch of the others) come out sobbing in procession behind the flea. It was very funny. Katia was hamming it up with the best of them and the audience just cracked up.
B&S - Dance Mix - I'm not so crazy about this number. It was well skated. I think it's just not to my tasted. Elena is doing a better job of coming out of herself on the ice, but she's still not quite where this number needed her to be, maybe. It was cute, though - some nice fliratious moments between the two of them. I liked the "Russian" portion (the end) better than the beginning.
There's a transition here that Katia was in (I think it was Katia, anyway! LOL!) - the girls come out wearing red hats and masks and carrying feather thing sthat look like wings and proceed to do a lovely number that makes them look like exotic birds.
Yags - Shout - This was a fun one. Not one of my all time favorites, but it was fun ... and the women who got Alexsei in their laps certainly enjoyed it! LOL! This was much better in Cincy than in Toledo - possibly because I was closer to the ice.
S&P - Who Wants to Live Forever - Okay, this is, admittedly, one of my favorite songs and one of my favorite couples. But, even so, WOW! This was powerful and haunting and dramatic and skated beautifully. There was a point where Dave did an absolutely gorgeous spread eagle spiraling around Jamie that just took by breath away both nights. Again - all I can really say is - WOW!
Sarah - Over the Rainbow - Same thoughts as before --- except to add that Eva Cassidy's voice does not call for two ponytails - no matter how "young" the original song was.
Todd - Forevermore - This was awesome. The voice, the skating, the drama and power of the music. This is the kind of stuff that Todd does best - and quite possibly better than anyone else.
Dream On - LOVE this finale. Katia was out early - and then Ilia & Steven (I think it was Steven, but my brain is playing tricks on me) lifted her in what I think of as a 40s style lift - where two men lift the beatiful woman up by her arms and carry her. In this case Katia's legs were split with both knees bent (sort of like a double stag position) and they circled her around before setting her back down. This may be the best finale since Stairway to Heaven .... or maybe I just like classic rock more than I realize! LOL!
Anyway, it was really a good show. I know I missed some of the interludes - all of which were very good - though some better than others. As I think of them, I'll add a note if there's anything to add. Katia looks just fantastic. She's in as good a shape as any of the women out there. And she was clearly having a ball.
As I said, if my pics come out, you'll see them here first (the Katia ones, anyway).
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