Great show!! I've always loved SOI and this year was no exception. So, without further adieu, let me get started.
Intermission
*****Please note: I did not takes notes of this show so I left out some group numbers plus R&S's performance*****
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"Let's Get it On": During the beginning of this program, I kept wondering where Scott was! But of course, he made his way out later, much to the approval of the crowd (IMO it was rather lukewarm,though Sacramento has never been known for its rousing enthusiasm in the skating department). His "I Feel Good" program was great and all but one of his jumps were on. He is such an awesome guy. His poignant "A Song for You" was also fantastic. The little blonde boy who skated in this program did well, performing a small jump.
Okay, on to Steven: I LOVE THOSE PANTS!! He is such a cutie! Did I mention he's a great skater? :) His program was flawless and got a pretty good ovation. (One side note: that music was so loud I could barely think! It seemed to tone down afterwards).
"Desert Rose": Kristi was great, as usual. I saw this program during the broadcast of SOI so it wasn't new to me. Crowd loved her.
"Drive/Driven": Ilia got quite the reception here. I didn't take notes at all so from what I remember, he skated cleanly.
"Double Bogey Blues": Scott got a laugh as he walked/shuffled out with his golf bag. The crowd loved his acting! When he went to do his backflip over the bag, the lady next to me nearly had a heart attack! I guess she thought he was going to crash into it :) He skated a clean program and received a nice round of applause for it.
"Nyah": Kurt...well, Kurt was just awesome. Loved that muscle shirt on him! He got many whistles and hoots of approval from the crowd. He did some awesome, huge jumps! He was very much on tonight.
"Dance With Me": This program is more suited to Tara, IMO. It was actually pretty good, though I'm not a fan of her skating. I liked the fact that the show was more "us" this year, rather than the "us and Tara Lipinski" show it was last year. She seems to be fitting in a little more. I don't recall many jumps in her program. Two little girls sitting next to me kept exclaiming over her, obviously huge Tara fans.
Tunnel Vision: This was my second favorite part of the night! I loved how they seemed to be so comfortable out there, not acting. I also liked how they all participated in talking and sharing memories. Gorsha came up the aisle where I was sitting as part of his flirting act and nearly tripped a lady he was trying to get out of her seat :) He kept asking her if she was okay (she was), although she looked more embarrassed each time. This was just an all-around fun program and I'm sure going to miss Scott when he leaves.
"Chairmen": I also saw this on tv but it doesn't compare with seeing it live. They are all so agile with those chairs! They all did so much that it was hard to know where to look and who to watch. I was really impressed with how they did the program and made it look so easy!
"Moanin'": The crowd seemed to love the duo of Ilia and Tara. They did very well in their program.
"Take My Hand": I was surprised and disappointed that this was Yuka's only singles program. She's such a beautiful skater and her skating was excellent. She would be a great addition to the cast.
"Don't Fence Me In": The crowd once again loved Kurt! He's is such a talented skater and such a ham :) He did some awesome, clean jumps and did so well in this program.
"Let 'er Rip": I have to say that Kurt probably got more attention than Kristi did during her program! Kurt was off to the side trying to "rope" Kristi and his little antics had the whole crowd watching, athough I knew he wasn't trying to. I admit, I basically watched Kurt instead of Kristi!
"I Can't Make You Love Me": Jenni and Todd are such a wonderful couple to watch. They did some beautiful lifts and spins and were well recieved.
"Rockit": This was Ilia and his toybox. Before the lights came up, the little girl next to me kept saying he was pushing out a kitchen :) This program was also televised so nothing was a big suprise. I'm not sure the audience got that he was playing the part of a rag doll but they loved him anyways.
"Tiny Dancer": I kind of thought they would do something else with the swing besides have it only for the beginning. Seems like a waste to take all the time to attach it to the rafters and have her only use it for about 30 seconds. Again, nothing really stood out in this program.
"My Way": This was vintage Scott stuff. I loved the flashbacks to his past programs! He did some AWESEOME jumps and looked so pleased for himself :) He got the first standing ovation of the night and had his "Scott smile" - his trademark "I love this and I love you and I'm so happy to be here and I never want this to end" smile. That smile is one of the best memories I have of the times I've seen SOI live.
"If it's Magic": This was my favorite part of the night. I love SOI's group acts, a kudos goes out to all that coreographed it. I had a hard time deciding who to watch...they all did some awesome elements! I really like how they go to the edges of the ice and thank those who are sitting there for coming. I experienced that my first time going and I've never forgotten it.
All in all, I highly recommend going. It was such a treat to see their skating; they seem like such a cute little family!
Techie side note: The lighting was excellent!! Their new LD is great.
Last note: There were lots of complaints about seating this time around. I sent in my advance order the day after the show and still received row R seats, which aren't all that great. Also, they actually enforced the "no flash camera" policy. The ushers kept a sharp eye on the crowd and one actually started loudly telling a lady who wouldn't stop taking pictures to please put her camera away! A fellow skating fan (who takes excellent picture) was watched the entire time by an usher so she couldn't take any.
Anyways, it was great!!!
Read SweetiePie's review of Champions On Ice 2000
Read SweetiePie's review of Stars On Ice 1999
