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Stars on Ice celebrates 25th anniversary season
Show pays homage to previous highlights, marquee performances
| Source: |
Edmonton Journal |
| Date: |
May 15, 2015 |
| Author: |
Nicholas Hobson |
A cast of Canadian skating legends from the past, present and future
is helping Stars on Ice celebrate its 25th anniversary tour this
year.
Tour director Kurt Browning is using the show - at 7:30 p.m. Saturday
at Rexall Place - to remember highlights and marquee performances from
the past 25 years.
"This year's show will pay special homage to 25 years of performing
for figure skating's greatest fans who have always supported the tour
and myself personally," said Browning. "All of the skaters will relate
their current numbers to past performances that Canadian fans
loved.
"We will even present a special ensemble number that will feature
music, choreography and costumes from past shows as well as a look
into the future of this successful franchise."
Stars on Ice has always had world-class competitors and artistically
gifted champions perform solo and group routines in an unique approach
to performance skating. Among this year's performers are 2010 Olympic
gold medallists and two-time world dance champions Tessa Virtue and
Scott Moir plus three-time world champion and 2014 Olympic silver
medallist Patrick Chan, who helped Canada win a silver medal in the
Olympic Games' first team competition last year.
Chan will pay homage to Elvis Stojko in one of his numbers.
"With this being Kurt's 25th go-round with Stars on Ice, he really
encouraged the skaters to think of someone who inspired them to go
further as young skaters and to dedicate a part of the performance
to," Chan said. "Elvis was an easy choice for me as it was just so fun
to watch him compete against those great Russian skaters at the
time."
This tour also marks Chan's return to Canadian ice after making his
Stars on Ice debut on American and international tours in the United
States and Japan.
"What's beautiful about Stars on Ice and performing in general -
especially compared with competing - is that most of the nerves get
replaced with pure joy as soon as the music starts," said Chan. "We
get to pick our own music, we have more freedom in the choreography,
and the connection I get with the other skaters is amazing.
"I feel like I'm a part of something bigger than just my individual
skating when I'm out there with Kurt and the other
performers."
Although Chan took the season off from competitive skating, he still
plans to represent Canada again in the future. He said his training
will resume once this tour has been completed.
Founded in 1986 by skating icon and Olympic gold medallist Scott
Hamilton, the Stars on Ice tour originated in the United States. In
1991, it began to tour Canada and now has played more than 250 shows
over two decades. Past performers include Browning, Jamie Sale and
David Pelletier, Kristi Yamaguchi and Stojko.
The tour also has stars off the ice. Jef Billings' production and creative team has won four Emmy Awards for costume design and choreography. Emmy Awards recognize excellence in the television industry.
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