COI Cleveland/Detroit

[kareliz]

COI was terrific, but neither Tanith and Ben nor Kimmie were there. I was disappointed. Does anyone know what's up with that?

Plushenko was fabulous. Petrenko also did a great job. His jumps were really on, and he is very musical and a terrific performer. Seeing Michelle was great, of course, but also sad. She chose such a melancholy song. A & P were fantastic. Evan and Johnny - wow wow. Evan is really strong. Johnny is starting to connect to the audience more. T & M were gorgous. A great evening.

 

[Jhar55]

Sometimes they aren't scheduled for all the stops on the tour.
I am going to see COI in 2 weeks in Nashville and I sure hope Evan is there.

 

[MKFSfan]

On other threads it was reported that Ben got sick-food poisoning, so he had to leave the rink. Hope he's feeling better!

Kimmie is on selected stops-probably due to the fact she is still in school and all. She was at my stop, in Long Island, and I was so impressed be her!

 

[Lucy25]

Tanith and Ben skated in Detroit, so he must be feeling better. We also had Alissa Czsiny and Marcy & Aaron.

 

[kareliz]

Glad Ben is better

Thanks for the info. I am glad Ben is better, but am really sorry to have missed seeing him and Tanith skate.

I could not find the old COI thread, so here are a few more thoughts on the Cleveland stop.

First half was so short I felt ripped off - only 6 skaters. But by the end of the second half I felt pretty content.

A & P really look fantastic. They used a triangular scarf. Instead of waving it around a little and then throwing it on the ice, they used the prop creatively and expressively for the whole piece. Beautiful skating.

Evan looks strong, His jumps were really solid, and his dance and performing ability is wonderful. It will be fun next year to see the intense competition between him and Johnny throughout the season.

Johnny is so fluid, so musical, and so sensitive. He feels every bit of music, and feels every bit of his arms right to the finger tips. His jumps were good but not as solid as Evan's. He is definitely learning to connect more with the crowd.

Michelle is my long time favorite, but somehow, this number didn't work so well for me. The music and its lyrics made me sad. She looked radiant, fluid, beautfiul, smooth footwork. Spirals looked good, although one of her charlottes got a bit out of control. I think she was a bit slow and not full of her usual joy. I think she is still being careful not to reinjure herself.

Petrenko was really amazing. He is getting little heavy, so it was amazing to see his command of his choreography. His jumps were really on, and he is a good showman.

Rudy's schtick is getting old. He has the ability to do really beautiful lyrical skating, so I would love to see him stop shimmying and start showing off his other abilities.

T & M were beautiful, dramatic and got great audience response.

Plushenko was fantastic. He is completely committed to every moment and movement. He loves the audience, and he also loves delivering the big jumps even in a show.

If the acrobats can't get any new tricks, couldn't they at least get some new music? I've seen that number at least 3 if not 4 times on the tour.

Ending group number was ok. It did give individual skaters a little more time to shine and that was nice.

 

[Jhar55]

Agree here with the acrobats the first few time were funny but has grown old and also the hula - hoop girl never cared for her. Rudi needs something other than his Village People program.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I don't understand the comments that Johnny is beginning to connect with the audience Although I haven't seen him in COI, I have noticed that his fans are world wide. He must be doing something right.

I don't think he has to "sell" his performance as some skaters have to jump into the audience or point fingers at imaginary friends. Johnny draws the audience into his world. He doesn't have to go after them. JMO.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

Johnny certainly "drew the audience in" with last year's COI performances to Unchained Melody. He was the star of the show, usually skating next to last just before Michelle.

This year, though, his music (My Way) works against him.

"And now...the end is near...and I face the final curtain..."

Huh? Your end isn't near, Johnny! You're just at the beginning of a glorious run! Stop moping around and skate!

MM

 

[Mathman]

... also the hula - hoop girl never cared for her.

Irina Grigorean rocks!!!!!!

I have total admiration for anyone who can create a niche for herself and then parlay it into a successful career. That's entertainment!

Plus, in the closing group number at one point they had all the ladies standing in little archways shaking their booties while someone (I didn't notice who) did his solo number. If I were Tom Collins I would make all of the other lady skaters take lessons from Irina G.

 

[Lucy25]

Irina Grigorean rocks!!!!!!

I have total admiration for anyone who can create a niche for herself and then parlay it into a successful career. That's entertainment!

Plus, in the closing group number at one point they had all the ladies standing in little archways shaking their booties while someone (I didn't notice who) did his solo number. If I were Tom Collins I would make all of the other lady skaters take lessons from Irina G.

Irina was having a ball out there during the closing number! It was very obvious she loves performing. While the majority of the skaters were just going through the motions during this act, she was a complete standout. I am so glad that I am not the only one to have noticed this.

MM, did you go to the Detroit show?

 

[kareliz]

Johnny and the audience

I agree Joe, that Johnny doesn't need to "sell" his programs - his beautiful skating speaks for itself and draws me in.

At the same time, he can sometimes become so introspective that he seems a bit distant. I think this happens more when he is having a hard time, so that tells me that it is not just a stylistic preference, but perhaps somewhat of a focus habit, as Johnny has said. I think how much he does this is different in different performances.

So my comment was based on this COI performance being the first time I have seen him really put some of his energy into looking at the audience, smiling, reacting to our support for him, etc. Granted show skarting is different from the competitive arena. I think that a good performer should be able both to draw the viewer into the performance, and also to project out to the crowd. How much of which would depend on the context (competition or show) and the music and choreography.

In my view, Michelle has the perfect balance. She draws us in completely, yet her energy reaches out to the rafters.

And let me also say just how much I have enjoyed the conversation at Golden Skate over the years. Joe and Mathman - you add so much to the forum and I appreciate your always thoughtful and often humorous comments!

 

[Mathman]

Kareliz, aw shucks, thanks.

Lucy, well of course I was at the Detroit show, LOL!

Here is my report:

1. Rudy Galindo. I agree with Kareliz – too much shimmying, but still some nice skating with a couple of solid jumps.

2. Hinzmann and Parchem. What a charming team! Not as polished as some of the more experienced pros, but I thought their performance was outstanding. The highlight was a fine triple throw.

3. Surya. Always a crowd favorite. Her jumps were not quite as secure as I have seen them in the past. (She only did a backflip/single Sal, LOL.)

4. Dan Hollander. This is the best routine he has ever done, IMHO. Good jumps, good footwork, fine comedy without slapstick – he even did a pretty good mime-in-a-glass-box, LOL, when the Dick Button voiceover said, “now he just has to win over the French judge.”

5. Alissa Czisny. A hometown favorite, the audience was ready to love her to death. But unfortunately it was not a good skate for Alissa. She singled her double Axel, fell on her triple Lutz and put both ands down on her third jump. She tried hard to entertain, but I would have liked to see more of her exquisite spirals and spins and less hoochi-koochi.

6. Weir. As I mentioned above, I think the choice of music holds him back this year. To me, the performance got off to a slow start, but it did build dramatically in the latter half.

The transition step in his back catch-leg spiral into a triple Lutz was a little less seamless than I have seen it. (How’s that for a nit-pick, LOL.)

7. Belbin and Agosto. Another Detroit fave. Good audience reaction. Typical performance of last year’s free dance.

8. Victor Petrenko. Very energetic, solid skating. No gimmicks for a change. MUCH better music (the redoubtable “Bertha Blues” LOL) than last year’s questionable choice. Best routine since Mambo Number Five. (Plus, Mrs. Mathman thinks he’s hot!)


9. Anassina and Peiserat. The shawl number. More “artistic” than last years light saber act.

Act Two

10. Irina Grigorean. See above.

11. Lysacek. What a charmer. A born entertainer. Plus, he was the only skater in the show who made me feel absolutely sure that he was going to land all his jumps. He made them look totally effortless.

The routine itself – I think it was an inside joke. Supposedly the schtick was, I didn’t prepare anything, so I’ll just go out there and ham it up.

But the funny thing is – it looked like he really hadn’t prepared anything.

12. Slute. Big Spender. The costume that looks like a furry wolverine attacking a topless lady. She did OK, but, to me, she did not bring her customary pizzazz. Bring back cotton-eyed Joe, LOL.

13. Accobats. “World’s Slowest Accrobats” routine. The kids in the audience liked it.

14. Totmianina and Marinen. I am so glad we got to see this side of their skating. As competitors, they were often regarded as technical specialists only. On tour they are skating with passion, musicality (it is impossible to skate badly to Music of the Night – oh wait, I just remembered Urmanov and his big cape…never mind).

Very satisfying performance. They did side by side triples, a triple throw jump, and a huge triple twist right on the beat of a musical climax.

15. Sasha. She did not really seem “on” to me. I don’t think the music helped (God Bless America). It’s too in-between. Not exactly ballad style, yet not a rousing patriotic version either.

Sasha looked totally captivating (red dress, deep V), however. She did all of her gorgeous trademarked spirals and spins, and had really quick rotations and secure landing on her jumps.

16. Plushenko. Did his thing. A thorough professional who believes the audience deserves 100% in every performance.

I wish he would get some meaningful choreography, though (or go back to Sex Bomb or the Big head, LOL.)

17. Michelle. Artistic integrity. No compromise. Every movement has meaning within the context of the program.

Michelle says, “Injured, hurt, battered or bruised, I’m still MOI.” (Michelle on Ice, LOL).

The size of the audience was very disappointing. I would estimate about 4000 (the venue holds 12,000 for hockey). Several of the stops on the tour have already been cancelled.

Maybe the market just can’t support two premier shows any more, and COI and SOI will have to merge.

My personal faves: Michelle, Dan Hollander, and Hinzmann and Parchem.

MM

 

[demarinis5]

Thanks Mathman for your report. I am glad that your got to see
Hinzman and Parchem. I love that team. Will they be touring with COI
or was this just a guest appearance? Too bad about Alisa.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Kareliz - Your last paragraph caused a rush of blushing to my face but it made my day. Thank you.

I'll be sure to review Yukina Ota if she does skate in NYC in the future. I'm sure if you like Johnny you like Yukina. Who cares about Bielmans and Quads? (Do you think that would make a nice broadway show? - Bielmans and Quads)

As Shaekespeare would have said 'the music and the flow is the thing'.

Joe

 

[Lucy25]

Just some comments to add to MM's:

1. Rudy Galindo. I agree with Kareliz – too much shimmying, but still some nice skating with a couple of solid jumps.

2. Hinzmann and Parchem. What a charming team! Not as polished as some of the more experienced pros, but I thought their performance was outstanding. The highlight was a fine triple throw.

3. Surya. Always a crowd favorite. Her jumps were not quite as secure as I have seen them in the past. (She only did a backflip/single Sal, LOL.)

4. Dan Hollander. This is the best routine he has ever done, IMHO. Good jumps, good footwork, fine comedy without slapstick – he even did a pretty good mime-in-a-glass-box, LOL, when the Dick Button voiceover said, “now he just has to win over the French judge.”

5. Alissa Czisny. A hometown favorite, the audience was ready to love her to death. But unfortunately it was not a good skate for Alissa. She singled her double Axel, fell on her triple Lutz and put both ands down on her third jump. She tried hard to entertain, but I would have liked to see more of her exquisite spirals and spins and less hoochi-koochi.

6. Weir. As I mentioned above, I think the choice of music holds him back this year. To me, the performance got off to a slow start, but it did build dramatically in the latter half.

The transition step in his back catch-leg spiral into a triple Lutz was a little less seamless than I have seen it. (How’s that for a nit-pick, LOL.)

7. Belbin and Agosto. Another Detroit fave. Good audience reaction. Typical performance of last year’s free dance.

8. Victor Petrenko. Very energetic, solid skating. No gimmicks for a change. MUCH better music (the redoubtable “Bertha Blues” LOL) than last year’s questionable choice. Best routine since Mambo Number Five. (Plus, Mrs. Mathman thinks he’s hot!)


9. Anassina and Peiserat. The shawl number. More “artistic” than last years light saber act.

Act Two

10. Irina Grigorean. See above.

11. Lysacek. What a charmer. A born entertainer. Plus, he was the only skater in the show who made me feel absolutely sure that he was going to land all his jumps. He made them look totally effortless.

The routine itself – I think it was an inside joke. Supposedly the schtick was, I didn’t prepare anything, so I’ll just go out there and ham it up.

But the funny thing is – it looked like he really hadn’t prepared anything.

12. Slute. Big Spender. The costume that looks like a furry wolverine attacking a topless lady. She did OK, but, to me, she did not bring her customary pizzazz. Bring back cotton-eyed Joe, LOL.

13. Accobats. “World’s Slowest Accrobats” routine. The kids in the audience liked it.

14. Totmianina and Marinen. I am so glad we got to see this side of their skating. As competitors, they were often regarded as technical specialists only. On tour they are skating with passion, musicality (it is impossible to skate badly to Music of the Night – oh wait, I just remembered Urmanov and his big cape…never mind).

Very satisfying performance. They did side by side triples, a triple throw jump, and a huge triple twist right on the beat of a musical climax.

15. Sasha. She did not really seem “on” to me. I don’t think the music helped (God Bless America). It’s too in-between. Not exactly ballad style, yet not a rousing patriotic version either.

Sasha looked totally captivating (red dress, deep V), however. She did all of her gorgeous trademarked spirals and spins, and had really quick rotations and secure landing on her jumps.

16. Plushenko. Did his thing. A thorough professional who believes the audience deserves 100% in every performance.

I wish he would get some meaningful choreography, though (or go back to Sex Bomb or the Big head, LOL.)

17. Michelle. Artistic integrity. No compromise. Every movement has meaning within the context of the program.

Michelle says, “Injured, hurt, battered or bruised, I’m still MOI.” (Michelle on Ice, LOL).

The size of the audience was very disappointing. I would estimate about 4000 (the venue holds 12,000 for hockey). Several of the stops on the tour have already been cancelled.

1. The crowd loved Rudy. He gives them what he wants. Along with the hula hoop lady, he is loving every minute out on the ice.
2. Nice to see them, but they are obviously not seasoned exhibition skaters.
3. Her backflip/sal is incredible.
4. Loved Dan! Great program that the crowd loved!
5. Poor Alissa. I am sure that is not the program she wanted to skate in front of that Detroit crowd. Lovely skater, but the music is completely wrong for her.
6. Johnny is not my favorite, but his skating is so smooth. I love the outstretched leg into lutz move.
7. So nice that Ben was feeling better and was able to skate in front of their home crowd. I think they may have gotten close to the applause that Michelle got.
8. Hmm...I appreciate Victor, but I just don't care much for his skating any more.
9. I liked A&P's number. It was a bit too long, but I enjoyed it.
10. I am with you - Irina's enthusiam makes her such a joy to watch!
11. They girls in the audience were screaming for Evan! He is such a cutie and his jumps and spins were excellent.
12. Great music for Slute, but what a god-awful dress! You had a great description of it, MM!
13. Yes, the crowd really appreciated the acrobats, especially the kids. A bit too slow for me, but it was enjoyable.
14. Wonderful routine for T&M, especially the second half of it. Lovely and romantic.
15. Secure landings on her jumps? I guess you missed the incredibly low landing on the 2ax during her program and the fall on the 3sal in the closing? However, the 3sal she landed in her program was textbook. Her dress may be my favorite of hers yet. I do think the music is not the best choice, but she can always rely on her trademark moves to get a rise out of the audience.
16. Plusy was amazing. Enough said.
17. Michelle was lovely. I did not detect her skating gingerly or tenatively. Very nice moves in the field and footwork. She looks thrilled to just be on the ice.

Joe Louis is a huge arena, so I knew it would not be full, but I thought at least the lower bowl would be filled.

 

[Mathman]

15. Secure landings on her jumps? I guess you missed the incredibly low landing on the 2ax during her program and the fall on the 3sal in the closing?

I didn't count the fall in the closing number Plus, I was too busy watching Irina Grigorean, LOL. Did you notice that she (IG) was paired up with Besedin most of the time in the group skating? They skated really well together! (He should ditch Polishchek, LOL.)

MM

 

[Lucy25]

I didn't count the fall in the closing number Plus, I was too busy watching Irina Grigorean, LOL. Did you notice that she (IG) was paired up with Besedin most of the time in the group skating? They skated really well together! (He should ditch Polishchek, LOL.)

MM

Yes, I noticed. They were such a joy to watch. Their enthusiam was so nice to see.