COI Ice Review / Rant / Slanted Opinion

[Kwanford Wife]

I attended the Richmond, VA version of COI last Friday. Nothing against the skaters but seeing the show at a humdrum stop on the tour after years of seeing it in Detroit, where skaters & the sport are taken seriously, was quite a disappointment... but whatever. The arena was half empty and the ice small. HOWEVER, we had awesome seats three rows up from the boards. Loved that.

Here are my observations...

(I apologize up front for those looking for technical aspects & full reports... that I do not have)

Missed most of the openning number trying to find a parking spot... but caught Michelle's section... pretty standard stuff but WOW! that full Charlott was awesome...

What I remember...

It was amazing to see the ol' timers and how great their skills still are, espcially A&P and Surya. I know Suriya doesn't have many fans here, but her basic skills are still amazingly strong. Even if her fashion sense is not. A&P were their usual awesome selves... too bad they didn't sneak into the olympics and compete. They'd won the whole darn thing! Amesome.

Rudy & Victor was fine. Not great, but not bad.

B&A - Skating with Celebrities spoof. I'm sorry, but I simply don't get it. He's so hot though.

Evan - Good program. My friend has decided to leave her husband for him. Funny crowd reaction to the country portion ~ I think they were convinced that he was making fun of them... had to giggle.

Johnny - My Way. What perfect music for him... Popped a jump (I think) but did that awesome toe step thing that is so prudy... great program.

I HATE the hoola hoop girl & acrobats.

Sasha - Same as Marshalls. Funniest thing was her face going into the jumps... real tight, tense & nervous. I clapped that she didn't fall... I think she almost did too! Good crowd response. Partial standing O.

Tat & Max - Phantom of the Opera. Cold, distant but technically perfect. However, the skating surface was tiny & she almost landed in the boards after a throw. My friend was like "Did they just break up or something?" "Nah, she always looks like that!" Lady sitting next to us.

Irina was Irina. That program presents a lot better live than on the telly. Partial standing O.

Plushy - Tosca. Brilliant. Fast. Plushy. What more can one say? Standing O.

Michelle - And the crowd goes wild!! Favorite athlete. Favorite skater. Favorite song ~ actually the Donnie Hathaway version is MUCH better. Awesome performance, same as Marshalls. She had tears streaming down her face at the conclusion. Funny part: no one made a sound during her skate. Absolute silence. At first I thought it was because she wasn't jumping but then after hitting her final pose, the audience errupted like it was Nationals.

Someone else will have to describe that strange closing number. I didn't get it, (not that I ever get group numbers...)

COI the Ultimate Kwan Love Fest...

Highlights: Plushy, Michelle, A&P and the conclusion of the hoola hoop girl.

Lowlights: Hoola hoop girl, acrobats and Richmond skating fans. Also, knowing in my heart that I've probably seen Michelle live for the last time... so sad.

 

[Piel]

Thanks kwanfordwife! Glad to hear our girl is still the highliht of the show. How beautiful did she look...? (feel free to gush)

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Thanks kwanfordwife! Glad to hear our girl is still the highliht of the show. How beautiful did she look...? (feel free to gush)

Wwwaaayyy beautiful... and my goodness that hair!!! It was interesting, after reading the posts re: whether she should close or not, I was watching for the crowd reaction. Based on THIS crowd, I'm sure a lot would've gotten up & left had she skated earlier...

Skating snobs might argue this point based on her inability to compete this past season, but its time to face the truth. These decisions aren't made to hold up a broken down Kween, they are based on the reality that Kwan, for so many American fans, is US Ladies skating... Collins & Marshall's know that without her star power & fan base a good portion of those tickets aren't gonna get sold... that's the reality.

Maybe next year this will change. Maybe not. But I think its an interesting fact to ponder that during an olympic year, COI & Marshalls cannot sell out the seats & the biggest draw is an injured legend who didn't even make it through one practice at the Games...

 

[Piel]

So true. She and Collins are quiet a team. He appreciates her loyalty. I think she will always be a part of COI one way or another. Did she wear the blue and the purple dress? Which did you like best? I hate that she has never won that OGM, but she has always said she wants to be remembered in the sport and she will. Why oh why doesn't COI come to WV?(we need a pouting emoticon)

 

[nymkfan51]

I went to the Philly show on Sunday and really enjoyed it. Of course I had a front row seat, so what's not to like about that!!!

The opening was okay ... I didn't care for the music selections as much as I usually do, but the highlight was seeing Michelle. After so many months, what a joy to finally see her skating with that beautiful smile.

The programs I really liked (besides MK's) were Johnny, Kimmie and T&M. Sasha was good too, but she seemed a bit off to me. Her leg was wrapped and she didn't do any jumps ... and in the finale she seemed to have a hard time keeping up. I definitely got the feeling that there were some physical problems at work. She was still lovely, though ... and the music was wonderful.

I absolutely LOVED T&M's number. I have NEVER seen them look so good. The music, the costumes, the technical content and choreography ... and she smiled throughout!!!! I was so pleasantly surprised ... this was something I never expected to be saying about them.
Johnny took total command and skated like a dream. My wish is that next season he spends less time talking, and more time skating like this, and he should have no problems.
Kimmie was adorable. She seems totally oblivious to everything going on around her, and she has much the same look on her face that Michelle did when she was 16. It was a delight to see.
The closing number was fantastic ... lots of great music from the '30's. Really appropriate costumes, and the skaters seemed to enjoy themselves, so that joy translated to the audience.

Michelle ... WOW!!! I can honestly say that I didn't give a rat's patootie that she didn't do any jumps. In fact, I hope she never puts the jumps in this program. So many lovely moves ... great edgework and transitions ... plus just watching her face as she skated. She had such a look of joy and awe ... almost like she still finds it hard to believe that people feel the way they do about her.
She is still hurting ... that was obvious to me. She participated sparingly in the finale ... did a lovely little segment to 'Around the World in 80 Days". Then she comes out briefly at the very end ... escorted by the handsome Gwendal, I might add.

Many of the other numbers were entertaining, but nothing outstanding. I enjoyed myself more than I have for a few years now, though. I'm going to the LI show this Sunday, so I'll let you know how that goes.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

So true. She and Collins are quiet a team. He appreciates her loyalty. I think she will always be a part of COI one way or another. Did she wear the blue and the purple dress? Which did you like best? I hate that she has never won that OGM, but she has always said she wants to be remembered in the sport and she will. Why oh why doesn't COI come to WV?(we need a pouting emoticon)

She had on the purple one. Very pretty. The blue was cute, but it wasn't Wang & that's what a girl like me waits for... She'll be remembered for years ~ way after the winners are forgotten... I cannot remember who won but I remember that Kurt didn't...

I was shocked that COI came to Richmond... this is such a nonsport friendly town... Last year, we had to treak all the way to DC to see the show... so at least I saved a bit on gas money & valium (I cannot stand driving in DC - they cannot drive!!)

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the glow, Kwanford. It comes to the Joe on the seventh.

But the shows have only been half-full here lately, too.

As for the hula hoop girl, I guess you are immune to what she contributes to the show:

http://www.craigheath.com/Irina6hoops1copy.jpg

 

[MKFSfan]

She had on the purple one. Very pretty. The blue was cute, but it wasn't Wang & that's what a girl like me waits for... She'll be remembered for years ~ way after the winners are forgotten... I cannot remember who won but I remember that Kurt didn't...

I thought she was wearing the blue dress, the one that is cut squarish in front and 2 shoulder straps, on COI??? Is she alternating between that and the purple ome-shouldered one? The blue one is NOT Wang?! Looks like Vera's current wrap style. Interesting. Who designed it then?

Thanks for your reviews! I go next Sunday to the Long Island one and I can't wait!

 

[attyfan]

...
Michelle ... She is still hurting ... that was obvious to me. She participated sparingly in the finale ... did a lovely little segment to 'Around the World in 80 Days". Then she comes out briefly at the very end ... escorted by the handsome Gwendal, I might add.
...
.

I think that being escorted by Gwendal should help make her feel much better.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

I thought she was wearing the blue dress, the one that is cut squarish in front and 2 shoulder straps, on COI??? Is she alternating between that and the purple ome-shouldered one? The blue one is NOT Wang?! Looks like Vera's current wrap style. Interesting. Who designed it then?

Thanks for your reviews! I go next Sunday to the Long Island one and I can't wait!

The only blue costume she had on was the hot pants thing in the opening number. The purple dress is definately a Wang... or a really good knock off! Its the same dress from Marshalls... in person it appears purple. But this is Kwan, so I doubt she only has one dress... who would wear the same dress night after night? yucky

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Was not Kimmie in the show at this point in time? Va. is kind of her neck of the woods.

(When people are quiet during a performance in NYC, and then erupt into applause at the end, the performer knows he/she was very special. for MK she showed the tears of appreciation.)

Joe

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Was not Kimmie in the show at this point in time? Va. is kind of her neck of the woods.

(When people are quiet during a performance in NYC, and then erupt into applause at the end, the performer knows he/she was very special. for MK she showed the tears of appreciation.)

Joe

Nope. Kimmie hadn't joined the show in Richmond, but I understand she skated in DC the next day... too bad. Would've enjoyed seeing her live. Plus, we have the word awesome in common!

Yeah... She was pretty special. One of the great qualities about Michelle is that she really knows how to use her emotions and not hide them. It was an awesome performance. But it definatel had a "goodbye" quality to it... like "this is the last time I'll ever skate in Richmond, VA again..."

 

[MKFSfan]

The only blue costume she had on was the hot pants thing in the opening number. The purple dress is definately a Wang... or a really good knock off! Its the same dress from Marshalls... in person it appears purple. But this is Kwan, so I doubt she only has one dress... who would wear the same dress night after night? yucky

This one is the purple one she used in Marshalls' for "Fallin'":

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/SCPC101041121_1024x768.jpg

This is the 2nd one she used at Marshall's, I think she's using on COI for "A Song For You":

http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/events/200506/marshallsshowcase/kwan-act2.jpg

So, both are actually purple live? I love them! They look to be desinged by the same person to me, so I agree, must be Vera Wang!

 

[Mathman]

I think that being escorted by Gwendal should help make her feel much better.

Gwendal and Michelle:

http://cmsimg.news-press.com/apps/p...openr=404001&Ref=PH&Item=16&MaxW=450&MaxH=450

 

[Kwanford Wife]

This one is the purple one she used in Marshalls' for "Fallin'":

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/SCPC101041121_1024x768.jpg

This is the 2nd one she used at Marshall's, I think she's using on COI for "A Song For You":

http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/events/200506/marshallsshowcase/kwan-act2.jpg

So, both are actually purple live? I love them! They look to be desinged by the same person to me, so I agree, must be Vera Wang!

She had on the second dress in Richmond... and its purple live... a deep royalish purple, but purple. Beautifully stunning.

Does anyone know if the skaters' keep multiple costumes around of the same dress?

 

[iluvtodd]

Does anyone know if the skaters' keep multiple costumes around of the same dress?

I don't know, but considering the length of the tour, I would hope so!

Kimmie skated in the Philly show!

 

[Kwanford Wife]

i don't know, but considering the length of the tour, I would hope so!

Kimmie skated in the Philly show!

We can only hope....

Did you enjoy Kimmie's performance? How were her jumps?

 

[iluvtodd]

We loved Kimmie's performance. She seemed very "on" in Philly (sorry I can't identify the technical elements she did).

 

[R.D.]

Thanks for the reports everyone. And thanks MM for the picture.

 

[Piel]

Does Gwendal make house calls?