So I did in fact make the arduous four mile journey to the arena for SOI last night in Allentown
Adam got by far the loudest cheers, but we were 70 miles from the Rippon homestead, I would expect no less. They mentioned more than once, Pennsylvania, home state of Adam. Glad for the props.
The crowd was a little smaller than I expected, about half of the “lower bowl” filled (upper bowl closed, cheap seats were sold out) but I think folks from Philadelphia who might have ordinarily have come to this show, are so accustomed to going to Hershey, that they reserved early. That and the fact it was Thursday. We *are* the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania, so I was hoping we might "represent" more so that the tour would return.
Since I am a Jason fan, I will start with that: both of Jason’s numbers slayed. That “Can’t Stop the Feeling” exhibition was a compilation of Jason’s greatest hits, with the worm, the handstand and the four Russian splits. The crowd loved it. And the falling to the ice with exhaustion at the end. So cute
And of course "Hamilton". I saw Click Boom. Sigh.:luv17:
I think Adam and Mirai are spending time, understandably, on DWTS rather than practice here. They both fell on jumps and Adam landed other jumps hands down or two footed. The crowd could have cared less, as did I. He is the consummate showman and he was selling it. I also liked that we got, and I don’t know if because we were his Pennsylvania “home crowd”, some of the old, "brilliant bashful smile" Adam, instead of just "poseur sassy" Adam.
Nathan did quads. Plural. In a show. It is impressive. But I want to know why we can’t we have First Act Nathan (I don’t know the music, I’m not going to look it up) at every skate? Nathan who looks like the music speaks to him and he wants to say something on the ice, who looks like he actually enjoys skating? He was letting loose.
I want *that* Nathan. Even though it’s a show, old Nathan came back for Nemesis. Technically impressive, but……
Cutest of all, though, of the non-skating parts, was Jason coming out to shill for votes for Adam and Mirai on DWTS. Zach was with him on the ice, but he didn’t get two words in edgewise. Jason was selling that like he sells his programs
Mirai’s first number was great, she was pouty and sexy, and she jumped right up after the fall and got back into the program, I don’t even remember the second number. I love Karen and I love her spirals, but she needs to sell more.
Folks, as far as I’m concerned, the lady of the hour was Bradie. Who was not even supposed to be here, according to the schedule. She is radiant, she is learning to project, and her jumps are tight, landed and one with the program. I also think “This is Me” is a great vehicle for her; I’m glad she is skating it.
Also, for those of you that have seen them, this will come as no surprise, but I’ve never seen them live. Meryl and Charlie, wowza!
Their showmanship is up there with Jason’s and Adam’s. Charlie in particular is adorable. I don’t know enough about ice dancing to know if the lifts, tricks, skills, etc are great, and neither did ¾ of the audience. But they were smooth, polished, and not phoning it in. I was impressed.
I was looking forward to the Shibs and Coldplay, but it seemed a little sloppy to me, particularly the twizzles, which I adored in comps. But they performed “That’s Life” with verve and flair and crispness; I liked that a lot better.
Ashley was sassy, of course. Madi and Zach were technically impressive, but don’t speak to me. I enjoyed the group numbers, but I was getting my Jason on in any number he was in, so beats me what everyone else was doing.
Not so great: I didn’t understand the point of the one minute ice dance numbers, with Adam Maia and Alex in one and I even forget who was in the second. And lose lose lose the random “What the Olympics mean to me” (ETA; from fans, not the skaters, during the DEH finale) vids. Oh please…..
Is it a comp? No, it’s a show.
Is it worth it? You bet.
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