Oh, you are so lucky! I am so jealous. When you are more awake, please do tell more!
And I don't mind any off-topic details on Josh's solo, since I'm starting to be resigned to never seeing a video...
Okay - apologies in advance for semi-hijacking this thread to tell a little more about SOI:
So overall, the most fun for me was actually seeing You Tube / Ice Network people come alive! Seriously, everone did a great job, and as it was my first time ever seeing professional skaters live, I was actually quite awed, especially at their speed. Because they closed the upper level, the house actually seemed fairly full (though it was not). What the crowd lacked in size, though, it definitely made up for in loudness and enthusiasm - in fact, when the skaters bowed to each corner of the rink after finishing a number, there seemed to be a competition to see which side could give the loudest roars!
Jason got a standing ovation for Riverdance, which was well deserved. I really got chills when the music came on and he began to slowly raise his arms (although annoyingly enough, just as he began, somebody walked in late and began climbing into the center of the row right ahead of me, temporarily blocking my view - I could have killed the guy!). Interestingly, people always talk about his infectious smile, etc., but in those opening moments he is just very still and concentrated, and it's magical. I was a little disappointed that some of the elements I most loved (e.g. the tano lutz and the hydroblade into the double axel) were taken out to make this into a show program, but there were at least four jumps left in (at least some of which were triples), and his brilliant spins, so there was a lot to like - the very end, where he goes so fast he blurs - is quite amazing.
I don't remember what Josh skated to, but I was so impressed with his elegance and poise and beautiful posture - everything he did, he did well. It was a much shyer, more inward skate than the group number, where he really hammed it up, so it will be interesting to see if the show style has an effect on next years' programs. At first I was thinking that he was a bit like Jeremy, but then I decided that he has his own style, which I like a lot.
Otherwise - I thought all the skaters did a fine job. I very much liked Gracie Gold's All that Jazz, and hope we get to see a little more of her natural personality in future programs - I suspect that she's not really the princess she was packaged to be this year. Loved Mirai's Demons - very expressive, and gorgeous spins. Ashley is very spunky & skated very well. Alissa is very ethereal and moves beautifully - I think she only did a total of two jumps, one single in the first program and a double in the second, but she is still very lovely. Both of Jeremy's numbers worked for me (except his posture - I never knew it made such a difference!!). Castelli & Schnapir did some really thrilling lifts... Ryan Bradley fell at the beginning of his second number, but the crowd completely supported him, he went on to do very well, and he got a huge ovation at the end. The girl's group number was very odd - they all wore tutus which were quite ugly and didn't fit well - very distracting! My takeaway: the show didn't really hang together that well as a show - it was more a collection of solos with a few group numbers thrown in - but they all did a great job!
And now, to return to the topic of this thread (sort of): when I went into the lobby at intermission, I noticed a large group, including a mom and several kids - and the mom was Kori Ade! She must have been sitting near me, because she was in the lobby again when I left. This was not to be my last Kori sighting: this morning, I went to the skate shop to have the orthotics in my (new) skates checked, and as I was getting ready to leave, a large group came in, and unbelievably enough, it was Kori and her entourage again, there to have her new skates heat molded! Since she was definitely in private / family mode both times, I didn't approach her, but it made me realize how small the skating world is. Had I spoken to her, I would have told her that her daughters are beautiful (as is she, of course), but it just didn't seem appropriate....
So now I'm looking forward even more to the American Ice Theatre show at the end of the month - Jason & Rohene in one show - can't wait!
and of course I hope you have a wonderful time!
It makes my "I-Can't-Wait-For-It-To-Be-Skating-Season" meter go off in excitement!
