COI Everett, WA | Golden Skate

COI Everett, WA

hockeyfan228

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I went to the "Seattle" show in Everett, WA yesterday. I got there 15 minutes late, and was very lucky to find that not only wasn't my seat in the middle of the row, but that it started 16 minutes late :)

For me, the opening was notable for a few things: in the "head-banger" dismount from their lift, Inoue/Baldwin looked perilously close to an accident: his body and center of gravity seemed too far away from her, as if he had gotten stuck, but he pulled it out (whew). Weir looked bored, but Jian Tong can really boogie! His talents are wasted on the uber-emotional, like the "Adagio" routine they did; he really can dance. (Same with Hongbo Zhang, from what I saw at the Skate Canada gala.) Morgan Matthews and Jian Tong!!! :))) It was great to hear Arakawa get some respect in her opening introduction. Until Cohen, Viktor Petrenko got the loudest, most sustained ovation, while Belbin/Agosto had some whistlers in the audience, and that was before she was dressed like Lotte Lenya in "The Seven Deadly Sins," albeit sans bowler.

Bradley opened the show. He's very engaging, with a number of "show" jumps and flips, like half axels, a move that looked like a gymnastics round-off, all a lot of fun. However, it was an unfortunate choice for him to try to out-Travolta Travolta, when there are two first class booty-shakers -- Galindo, and Plushenko, when he's in a satirical mood -- in the show already, and Kristoffer Berntsson did a spectacular rendition of Saturday Night Fever in a competitive routine. Even if most of the audience had never seen the latter, they were able to compare Bradley to the former.

I don't remember the skating order very well, and even if someone told me what the music was, I wouldn't have recognized half of it. Going by the COI website music page isn't helping much, although I know that Arakawa skated to a modern rendition of "Un Bel Di" from Madama Butterfly, not "I Have a Love" from West Side Story, the one selection from the musical that I detest. (Anita: A boy like that, who killed your brother? A boy who kills cannot love, etc. Maria: But I can't help it, wah, wah, wah [song]. Not, "Excuse me, Miss Thing, but did not my innocent-as-the-newly-fallen-snow brother Bernardo kill Biff first?" [much better song])

Czisny followed Bradley, wearing her gorgeous Audrey Hepburn dress. She skated to some classical-based soundtrack sounding thing; could have been "Sabrina," but I don't know the music very well. Her jumps were a mess, and you could see it from a mile away from her approach. I prefer her skating in a larger rink, where her spirals are more impressive, but her spins, except for the knee down/butt up position on the donut were lovely. There was a point at the end where the music swelled: she followed the music exactly and with great speed and a deep edge and knee bend she went into a gorgeous layback spin with speed and amplitude. If only she could take this approach into her jumps.

After that, my sense of the skating order went out the window. In no particular order, Inoue/Baldwin skated to something romantic. For the first two-thirds of the program, I was content to watch her and think about what a rock star she is, but the program lost my attention towards the end. Gregory/Petukhov did a sophisticated semi-comic routine that showed what a fantastic addition they'd be to Stars on Ice. (I wish Scott Hamilton agreed, because I think Davis/White are going to extend their lead over G/P in eligible competition.) I always thought Petukhov was good-looking, but he's got an ab fab new hair cut, and his hair is a medium brown. He is now closing in on the most beautiful Mrs. Petukhov in the looks department, and he looks like he will age well. But I digress...

I seem to remember two programs by Petrenko, one in which he did a textbook 2A (although this might have been in the opening) and the second (in Act II?) as a cowboy number. I was hoping for more, as I always do. The crowd loved him to death, but I always have to wait for the finale, where he generally does 20 seconds of incredibly clean, classic skating. Surya Bonaly skated an upbeat number. I honestly remember nothing about it except for a terrific 3S and her beaming smile. Generally, she is the antidote to 14 sappy ballads (between the Ladies, Men, and Pairs), and brings me out of my lethargy. In this show, there were many more sunny and/or unusual routines than sappy ballads, thanks in part to Pang/Tong's Adagio, Shae Lynn Bourne, and both of Gregory/Petukhov's routines, one the "Sarabande" with Weir, as well as the rock and bluesy selections of Lysacek and Plushenko.

One of the great and last Balanchine ballerinas, Kyra Nichols, has been giving her final performances of various ballets this spring/summer. One of things that reviewers have been saying over the past few years about her performances is how she has been getting the essence of the movement with less. Rudy Galindo isn't the type of performer that makes a natural analogy to Nichols, but in the midst of a program in which he wore a beaded, champagne-colored unitard and discoed his way across the ice with his usual energy -- it's amazing that he can do this night after night, year after year, a consummate pro, and as Seanibu said, like Cher, in a good way -- I was struck by the paradoxical economy of his skating, perfectly centered, and no energy wasted on anything he hadn't planned it to be. He could use his energy to become the spotlight he is.

Weir performed in the first half, from all accounts to Stevie Wonder's "All in Love Is Fair." I wasn't sure what to expect; as I mentioned above, he seemed to be phoning in the opening number. What we got was a fully engaged, powerful, virile performance that blew the roof off. I don't think I've ever seen him skate better, with more speed in addition to his beautiful flow and edges, and perfectly centered spins with impeccable positions, and moving with his entire body with no break at center. I think his experiment with Anissina has paid off; there was a strength and confidence in movement that I've never seen before from him, yet I didn't hear a scratch on the ice.

Weir and Gregory/Petukhov performed "Sarabande" in the second half. Dressed in pale blue diaphanous costumes with pale blue eye "masks" painted on, they skated a lovely, emotional performance. I assume that his experience starting as a pairs skaters made Weir look perfectly comfortable skating close, intricate patterns with G/P, and there were parts that reminded me of Frederick Ashton's "Monotones." I'm very glad COI made room for this program, which is atypical for North American shows, but would fit right into a European show with Drobiazko/Vanagas, Rakkamo/Kokko, Denkova/Staviyski, and Delobel/Schoenfelder. (In FSU parlance, it was full of voids.)

The first half of the program ended with Belbin/Agosto, she vamping it up with sequined black knee-length boots, black shorts, and black bra top, he in whatever, to some Justin Timberlake songs (or at least that's what the people next to me said.). Do I really remember him wearing a tie? Yikes. They both have such great spark, but not for each other, and I found the program concept tacky and the edits amateurish. To me they look like two friends who are going to a club together and are going home with other people.

At the beginning of their program, Anissina/Peizerat did a wonderful job of creating theater on ice, but like almost all of the medleys in the show, I couldn't follow the logic of why the piece continued the way it did, except to give Peizerat the opportunity to take off his shirt -- not that I'm complaining, but, frankly, I'd rather watch Fabien Bourzat skate (or take off his shirt) -- and for them to do a couple of gender bender lifts. I'm not a fan of their skating -- I find it dull and business-like, although I'm clearly in the minority here -- but the first two parts showed a variety and theater instinct that I've rarely seen from them. The last part was standard A/P and could have been from almost anything I've seen from them over the last five years.

Pang/Tong skated to "Adagio," with a lot of passion, but I'd like to see her point her toe and finish her movements. She's becoming more emotive; I'd prefer to see this used with a bit more variety, since in this program they look like doomed lovers about to skate off a cliff. They are clearly trying to keep in shape, though; I think the only thing they didn't try were SBS spins, which I would have preferred to the pairs spin, if for no other reason than they could always use the practice (which is true for just about every eligible pair), but really because I agree with Joesitz that most pairs spins look like wrestling. They did some gorgeous throws on the small rink.

Arakawa looked gorgeous in a costume with open "wings", skating with her hallmark flow, grace, and power, and although she's learned to project more to the audience, she still has a regal presence and such formidable technique. She was simply stunning.

IIRC, Arakawa was followed by Shae Lynn Bourne. I had never seen Bourne's "La Cumparsita" program in person -- it's the one with the chair -- and this alone would have been worth the price of the ticket: every move was finished, the musical interpretation and transitions were marvelous, and in another paradox, she was precise yet calmly sensuous. I can only say, that is one lucky chair.

Evan Lysacek did some pseudo black leather thing to rock music -- site says "I Need You Tonight -- INXS." He was lightweight, gangly, and unconvincing, and as far as I'm concerned, running one's fingers through one's hair does not hotness make. I was not expecting this, because he did have some wattage in the competitive programs of his that I've seen for the last three years.

Plushenko did not look happy, particularly when landing jumps. I'm not sure if he was really trying for 3A's that became 2A's, or if he was hurting. I read somewhere that his music was a blues version of Albinoni's "Adagio;" if so, that went over my head. In the past, as a second-to-last skater before Kwan, I've seen him blow out the house with boy ballad or rocking number, but this was an unusual choice for him. It was emotionally tough, and his response was more subtle and musical than I've seen from him. I once read a review of Edward Hermann in the play Plenty; the critic praised him as one of the few actors who understood the difference between "forte" and "mezza forte." Toward the end of this program, Plushenko understood the difference between slow and deep, and one drop softer than that.

Cohen skated to "Hurt" in a sparkly, champagne colored dress that was simple and a stunner. I've always been impressed with her COI performances in the smaller arenas. Sitting close, it's easy to see how complete and polished each movement and each position is. With 2A and a lovely 3S -- totally different than Bonaly's, another shade of the same movement -- she could make each element worth waiting for. She was exquisite.

I always see the roster, and I always wish for less hoola hoops, Dan Hollander to do straight skating instead of comedy -- I really liked him as a competitive skater -- less of the older skaters -- although ask me who I'd drop, and I couldn't choose -- and more of the European skaters who do great show pieces, like Delobel/Schoenfelder **coughEuropeanCHAMPIONSScough**, Tomas Verner **coughEuropeanSilverMedallistcough**, Stefan Lindemann **coughWorldBronzeMedallistcough**, SavchenkoSzolkowy **coughEuropeanCHAMPIONS-WorldBronzeMedallistscough** and Denkova/Staviyski **coughWORLDCHAMPIONScough**. But then, Irina Grigorian blows me away again, this time with a giant Slinky :) You could hear part of the arena wake up, i.e., the heterosexual males who were dutifully attending with their wives and girlfriends; when she grabbed that first hoop, there was hockey game energy in the blink of an eye :rofl: (Actually all Grigorian needed to do was show up in her finale costume. I kept looking between her and Arakawa to see who was more physically perfect, but then realized there was no reason to decide.) As Balanchine said when he choreographed the "Wrens" section of Union Jack, "Is for tired businessmen in the audience."

Dan Hollander was hysterical as multiple super heroes, and once again managed a textbook 2A in this year's equivalent of a fat suit. Besedin and Polishchuk, the acrobats were amazing as usual (and much appreciated by the now-awake men). The year they are dropped (and not voluntarily retired) is the year I stop going. What they do is astounding.

The James Bond ending was for me a bit plodding, but I found it fascinating to watch the men lower the women off of huge boxes. It must take a lot of guts to be up fairly high, and to look comfortable being carried by a man on skates. (It was a bit dark, and I couldn't see who lifted Cohen, but I think it was Agosto who lowered Arakawa.)

The two highlights for me were watching the tall, shaved bald Besedin as villain, flanked by vixens Anissina and Bonaly. He was, by far, the single most attractive man on that ice. He had "It" and you can't buy that kind of presence. The second was a few, precious moments when Pang/Tong and Gregory/Petukhov changed partners. Pang and Petukhov were on my end of the rink, and what blew me away was to see Pang stretched out over Petukhov's knee, looking up into Petukhov's eyes in a slow dance lift, and how comfortable she looked in the elaborate lift that followed. (It would be great to see Pang/Tong use these kind of moves in their competitive routines, as transitions.)

I had always thought that they were either upbeat filler between current champions or novelty acts for the non-skating fans, but by the end of the show I realized that Grigorian, Hollander, Besedin/Polishchuk, Petrenko, Galindo, and Bonaly are its spine. The other skaters come and go, often doing pretty ballads, and they draw us in and compel us to buy tickets or they don't, depending on the year, but my informal internal applause-o-meter measured the most sustained responses for these performers. Who knew?
 
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iluvtodd

Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Country
United-States
Thanks for your very thorough review. :clap: :agree: Speaking of music, Shizuka did skate to "I Have a Love" from West Side Story early in the tour (we saw the show in mid-April), so the music selections sometimes do change. Of course, it would help if those changes were shown on the website.
 
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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
OUTSTANDING review, Hockeyfan. :bow::bow::bow:
"Excuse me, Miss Thing, but did not my innocent-as-the-newly-fallen-snow brother Bernardo kill Biff first?" (much better song)
:laugh::rock:
Grigorian, Hollander, Besedin/Polishchuk, Petrenko, Galindo, and Bonaly are its spine. The other skaters come and go, often doing pretty ballads, and they draw us in and compel us to buy tickets or they don't, depending on the year, but my informal internal applause-o-meter measured the most sustained responses for these performers. Who knew?
I quite agree. Petrenko and Galindo can carry any show. Irina Grigorian = most physically perfect...no, wait, Shizuka!
 

netnuts

Match Penalty
Joined
May 3, 2007
I. The second was a few, precious moments when Pang/Tong and Gregory/Petukhov changed partners. Pang and Petukhov were on my end of the rink, and what blew me away was to see Pang stretched out over Petukhov's knee, looking up into Petukhov's eyes in a slow dance lift, and how comfortable she looked in the elaborate lift that followed. (It would be great to see Pang/Tong use these kind of moves in their competitive routines, as transitions.)

?

Pang & Tong, especially Tong used to be an ice dancer(nothing to brag about Chinese ice dancing though). And they did indicate in a previous interview that they'd like but not confident enough to incorporate dancing elements in their competitive rountines.

Their short program(Morozov, the choreographer) this season was a vast improvement over their past programs choreographically. They seemed to be more polished in that routine.

After yesterday's conclusion of COI tour, they are flying directly to Morozov to do two brand new programs. It will be interesting to see whether Morozov will be able to incorporate some interesting transitions into their new programs and raise them to a new level.
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Spectacular review, Hockeyfan228. I feel as if I were there all over again. The comparison of Galindo to Kyra Nichols is inspired. You are a fine observer as well as writer. You should do more of it.

I remain dubious about giving Anissina the credit for any improvement in Weir's skating. He has always been fabulous and her impact on him this past season was not positive. To me his utterly perfect performance in COI was a triumphant shaking off of any idea that he had to change, a return to form. But what do I know?
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Great review, Hockeyfan and to have been able to watch so much talent in one night and describe it so well.

Mathews and Tong would make an interesting Dance team. Both are super animated.

Did any of this night of COI give you an inkling to the upcoming GPs? From what I saw in Tokyo, Berntsson is on his way to fame and the hometown boy for Worlds.

Joe
 

Ravyn Rant

Totally 80s Dance Party!
Medalist
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Wonderful review!

Thanks for posting!
Your take on "I have a love" was really funny!
xoxo
Rave
 

hockeyfan228

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
:eek: (Thank you)

Did any of this night of COI give you an inkling to the upcoming GPs? From what I saw in Tokyo, Berntsson is on his way to fame and the hometown boy for Worlds.

Joe
Berntsson was delightful in Malmo at Europeans in 2003, when he was a very nervous, but very delightful hometown boy with beautiful edges and the beginnings of the skater he is today. I think it was his senior debut, and it's been such a pleasure watching him come up the ranks. I hope he does well at home; his LP from Tokyo was repeated a number of times on Swedish TV, so there will be pressure...

I'm not sure COI will tell us much about GP, though. Plushenko does not look to be in competitive shape at this point, but he's had a very full year, and I suspect after COI he will focus full time on getting into shape leading up to CoR. Belbin/Agosto looked sharp; I suspect they'll come out dukes a flying in the GP. Nothing in the programs suggest what their programs will be like, though, although the "Sarabande" might be something that Linichuk leverages for Gregory/Petukhov this year, especially if Denkova/Staviyski don't compete.

---

Kyra Nichols has been dancing throughout the 2006-7 seasons. There was a Ballet Guild luncheon in early February called "In honor of Kyra," and I seem to remember that tickets were $500 or $600 apiece. She just danced her final performance of Mozartiana, and received a rare solo bouquet on stage. Her final performance is scheduled for 22 June (Serenade, Davidsbundlertanze, "Der Rosenkavalier" from Vienna Waltzes.) She'll be at least the third ballerina to retire with the "Rosenkavalier" section, after Suzanne Farrell and Stephanie Saland.

---

I generally think that the smart skaters take what they can out of each experience, even if they don't continue along that path. With Weir, I think he internalized some of the attributes Anissina emphasized, and synthesize dthem into his own style. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he'll do this year.
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
If it hasn't happened already, Kyra will be getting the grand send off at NYCB. There is much competition between the ABT and NYCB this season - both with new productions of Sleeping Beauty and R&J. The fans of each one get as angry arguing about the best as it sometimes gets bout Figure Skating. I enjoy both companies for different reasons.

I agree, skaters take as much as they can from each performance in COI. It's definitely good experience to see how the audience reacts to their peformance and learn from it. I believe skaters such as Sasha and Evgeni will not knock themselves out. They are very seasoned skaters.

Can't help but feel the Senior Men will be the most exciting this coming Worlds.
In addition to a much ready Berntsson, there is Thomas, Lambiel, Joubert and Plushenko - all from Europe. Takahashi and Oda plus a third from Japan. The weakest group for me (at this time) is the N.Americans with what I believe are the slipping Lysacek, Weir and Buttle.

Joe
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Hockeyfan, the more I think about it, the more impressed I am with your observation about the "spine of the show."

COI advertises the latest bevy of champions to attract a crowd, but in the end, this years' champions are really quite a bit like last years' champions. You change the spokes, but the wheel keeps rolling.
 

SeaniBu

Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 19, 2006
I loved it. Thanks. Great take and short but sweat. I wish I could do that. :cool:Anyhoo, great review.:clap:
 

jengymnast1085

Spectator
Joined
May 20, 2007
Going by the COI website music page isn't helping much, although I know that Arakawa skated to a modern rendition of "Un Bel Di" from Madama Butterfly, not "I Have a Love" from West Side Story, the one selection from the musical that I detest.

Shizuka skated to 'It's a Beautiful Day' by Sarah Brightman in the 2nd half of the tour (a program choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne).

Thanks for the review Hockeyfan! Great to hear your thoughts on the show.
 

london_calling

On the Ice
Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Thanks for the great review! So nice to hear Johnny was skating so well, I wish I could have seen it.

Was Kimmie skating in the show?

Evan Lysacek did some pseudo black leather thing to rock music -- site says "I Need You Tonight -- INXS." He was lightweight, gangly, and unconvincing, and as far as I'm concerned, running one's fingers through one's hair does not hotness make. I was not expecting this, because he did have some wattage in the competitive programs of his that I've seen for the last three years.

You know, I love INXS. I always thought the right male skater could pull of a great exhibition to them. Finally, someone skates to them and the result is not good. I saw him on that exhibition they televised in April (Marshall's?) and didn't really enjoy the program either.
 

R.D.

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I was also going to ask about Meissner.

I hope they televise this on TV in the future (didn't they used to? Why did they stop?). I think it might also help generate some badly-needed publicity for the show which seems to be struggling to fill arenas. I mean, if NBC can televise all those pointless skating specials (no offense to those that enjoy them, though), then surely there can be space for a 2 hr. COI broadcast on some network somewhere.
 
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