This past weekend I travelled to Los Angeles to visit
friends and attend the Stars on Ice show in Anaheim. It was a fabulous night of
skating! I was a little worried when there were some uncharacteristic stumbles
in the pre-show (apparently, the ice had just been painted which had left it in
a less-than-ideal state), but everyone did a great job when the spotlights came
on. Here are my thoughts on each program:
Opening Number – “Set It In Motion” – Meryl really stood out
in this for me with her sassy dancing. She totally owned her solo at center ice
and lived up to her status as one of the headliners. I also loved seeing Evan
and Polina dancing together. Polina could have a second career as an ice
dancer.
Polina – “Americano”/”Dance Again” – This was a fun number
that highlighted Polina’s dance skills. The girl has rhythm, and I’d like to
see her try a competitive program like this next year. Her twizzles remain the
best by any non-ice dancer.
Madi/Evan – “Haunted”/”Ghost” – It was a treat to see their
Beyonce program again even though I’d seen it three times this past season.
They always bring so much intensity to the choreography, and I live for Evan’s
lunges. There was a funny moment in the pre-show when Evan randomly fell during
their run-through, and he started doing Madi’s part of the choreography down the
ice.
Adam – Beatles Medley – This was another program I’d seen
multiple times already but was happy to see again. Adam didn’t let up on
the technical content even though it wasn’t a competitive performance. He did
two triple Axels and his patented Rippon Lutz, among other jumps. The crowd ate
up all of it.
Girls Number – “Sour Cherry” – This group number was a
little disappointing. I felt Jeff Buttle could have done more with the
choreography, considering he had the strong performance skills of Meryl, Madi,
and Ashley at his disposal. Gracie didn’t look as engaged as the other three
girls… more like going through the motions.
Ryan – “Love Runs Out” – Ryan appeared to be in pain from a
leg issue during the pre-show, so mad props to him for gutting out the triple
jumps and a backflip in this program. It reminded me of a lot of his past show
programs, so it made me wish he’d mix it up a bit. I think his comedic programs
are where he’s at his best.
Maia/Alex – “Clair de Lune” – This was a stunning program
from Maia and Alex that showcased their soft knees and lyrical expertise.
Something like this could be a good vehicle for a free dance.
Ashley – “Hip Hip Chin Chin” – Yet another program that
never gets old! This was Ashley at her best, displaying her outgoing
personality and innate understanding of the music. She hit all the jumps even
without Marissa’s dress J
Jeremy – “Peanut Butter Jelly” – This program was so fun!
Jeremy is such a natural dancer, and he hit every note of the music perfectly.
He had a random fall in the beginning of the program and missed the next jump,
but it didn’t take away from the performance at all. I wish there were more
opportunities in the U.S. for Jeremy to be a professional skater because he
brings so much to the table, and it’s much less nerve-wracking as a fan watching him in shows than
watching him compete.
Gracie – “Maybe This Time” – I prefer Gracie’s more fun
exhibitions like “Shake It Off,” but she did a good job with this, completing a
couple of jumps (one was a big triple Lutz). I’m excited to see the new
exhibition that Misha Ge is choreographing for her to Ariane Grande’s “Best
Mistake” and “Bang Bang.”
Meryl/Charlie – “Dream” – I hadn’t seen this program before
and I loved the emotion they put into it. Charlie was especially intense in
this one. Every time I watch them skate I remember how much I love the raw
abandonment in their skating.
Guys’ Number – “The Sound of Silence” – There was a haunting
quality to this program that worked well. I thought it may have worked even
better if it had just been Adam and Jeremy since their skating styles align
more closely than Ryan’s does to either of theirs. The simultaneous double
Axels by all three were really cool, though.
Ice Dance Trio – “Rise Up” – Love this song and it was
lovely program by our three ice dance world medalists. I would’ve liked to have
seen them switch partners throughout the dance and add a little more complexity
to the choreography, but it was still beautiful to watch.
Polina – “Ave Maria” – A great follow-up to the ice dance
trio, keeping the same soft and lyrical mood. Polina has such graceful arms
that these balletic pieces really work for her. She hit a few wonderful
spirals, including the Kerrigan. In her first program she popped the triple
Salchow but came back and hit it in this program.
Madi/Evan – “Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen)” – LOVE
LOVE LOVE this program! Madi and Evan are so versatile in that they can do
dramatic, sultry, and quirky and can pull them all off. The lifts in this
program are ridiculous, and I hope we see them employ some of this new style
into future competitive programs.
Ryan – “Fire and the Flood” – This program felt very similar
to his first program and made me wish again that he’d do something like the Mr.
Cellophane number he did last year or his Mozart medley.
Gracie – “I Was Here” – I thought Gracie had better energy
in this program. I'd like her to consider using a current song for a competitive program in the future.
Adam – “O” – Beautiful, quiet skating from Adam here.
Totally different from his first number that played to the crowd. I would’ve preferred a
different Coldplay song since the Shibs used this one last year (and there are
so many great Coldplay songs to choose from), but Adam’s interpretation had a
different feel.
Maia/Alex – “Fix You” – A modified version of their free
dance complete with the best part – the twizzles right on the rise of the
music. They really gave it their all, visibly showing even more emotion than
they did at Worlds.
Ashley – “Dangerous Woman” – This was a program right in
Ashley’s wheelhouse. She plays the vixen very well, and Jeremy’s choreography
made wonderful use of the music. Loved her dress, too!
Meryl/Charlie – “Dog Days Are Over” – It was great to see
Meryl and Charlie do a high-energy program since they’ve done a lot of slower
numbers lately. I loved the straight-line footwork and the way Meryl’s skirt
moved with the music.
Jeremy – “Bridge Over Troubled Water – This one of my
favorites of the night. Jeremy hit all the jumps, including a triple Axel, and
he just floated across the ice. It was reminiscent of his “Bring Him Home”
program. He knows how to leave an emotional impact with just one simple glide
over the ice.
Closing Number – “Wild Motion (Set It Free)” – I thought
they should have let each skater/team have a spotlight moment during the
closing, but other than that it was fun and the skaters pulled it off
wonderfully. And they did the SOI patented high kicks at the end!
Here are all my photos from the pre-show, the show, and the Meet and Greet! => SOI PHOTOS
!