Browning Sings, Doesn't Skate
| Source: |
AP News |
| Date: |
March 20, 1996 |
Copyright 1996 the Associated Press. -- All Rights Reserved
Kurt Browning had to wow the crowd with
his voice instead of his skates at the World Figure Skating
Championships on Tuesday.
The four-time men's world champion from Canada was supposed to
have been a featured performer during the opening ceremonies, but
the plan was squashed by the International Skating Union.
Instead, Browning ended up singing ''O Canada'' in a duet with
Broadway singer-actor Michael Burgess, while Edmonton-born junior
skater Ben Ferreria got the thrill of his young career before a
sellout crowd of 15,372.
''Michael really took care of me and helped me through it and I
held the microphone away from my mouth,'' said Browning, whose
singing was met with a huge gasp and then saluted with a prolonged
ovation when it was done.
''I'm not a singer, but I just wanted to be a part of it and
Michael offered me the opportunity.''
Browning was to have skated while Burgess sang ''Bring Him
Home'' from ''Les Miserables.'' The planned performance by the
hometown boy was front-page news in the Alberta capital.
But Ferreria was called in when the ISU ruled against Browning's
appearance.
Ottavio Cinquanta arrived for the ISU-sanctioned worlds, heard
of the plan, told Browning's agent Kevin Albrecht he hadn't heard
about it and vetoed the plan.
Browning no longer competes in ISU events, earning his living
since the 1994 Olympics in ice shows and professional meets.
Burgess, the star of the Canadian production of ''Les
Miserables,'' gave Browning and Ferreria straight 6.0s for their
performances.
''Kurt did great and Ben did such a wonderful job,'' said
Burgess, who was disappointed Browning couldn't skate. ''It was a
great rush for me.''
Ferreria, 16, who found out Sunday he would be skating, also got
a huge thumbs up from Browning.
''I was pretty nervous because I hadn't had much chance to
rehearse this number,'' said Ferreria, who finished third at the
Canadian junior championships this year. ''But it really turned out
OK.''
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