Ice Skater Says Farewell

Copyright 2001 Albuquerque Journal

Skater Scott Hamilton is saying goodbye to America, one city at a time.

After 14 consecutive seasons as co-headliner and co-producer of the glittering "Target Stars on Ice," Hamilton, 42, plans to hang up his skates in April at the end of the show's current 65-city tour.

"It just had to happen sometime, and it seemed like 15 years was a good even/odd number. There are some things I want to do while I still have the energy," said Hamilton in a phone interview from a tour stop in Oakland, Calif.

The diminutive Hamilton, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist and frequent national and world champion, has become a legend in the ice-skating world for his skill and stamina. Despite his age and a bout with testicular cancer in 1997, he's never missed a season of "Stars on Ice."

The gracious Hamilton is quick to note that he has missed a few shows, though.

"In 1997, I got cancer with 10 shows left, so I missed those. In 1987 and 1988 I was injured, and I missed some shows there. So I haven't been the iron man throughout."

Hamilton also is held in high esteem for his ability to attract top skaters to the "Stars on Ice" fold.

This year's tour features Olympic medalists Kristi Yamaguchi, Tara Lipinski and Ilia Kulik, as well as pair champions Jenni Meno and Todd Sand and dance champions Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur. Two-time Olympic champion Ekaterina Gordeeva, a "Stars on Ice" regular, is taking a leave of absence this year but hopes to return for the next tour.

"Stars on Ice" is known in the business as a place to have fun while putting on a high-quality show, said Hamilton.

"Top skaters know that if you have the work ethic to make it on an Olympic level and you want to continue it on a professional level, this is the place to do it."

Hamilton began his professional career with the Ice Capades, the venerable old ice show that let him go in 1986. Shortly thereafter, Hamilton put together his own show, then called "America Tour," and staged it in small rinks across the country.

"We used to hire college students to hang the lights for us," said Hamilton. "We carried our own costumes and used bathrooms for dressing rooms."

As the years passed, Hamilton learned that audiences wanted to see famous names skating alone or in ensembles in a fast-paced show set to current music. Stars are constantly "mixed and matched" in intriguing ways, said Hamilton.

"Ice Capades had a wonderful run, for 55 years almost. But we need to change with the marketplace and keep putting a new face on it or people will say, 'Been there, done that.' ''

One of the things Hamilton said he wants to do in his "retirement" is to develop a Broadway-style show on ice. He also will be busy as a figure-skating commentator for NBC's coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Though the tour publicists are getting lots of mileage out of the fact that this is Hamilton's last full-time tour, Hamilton says he will stay affiliated with "Stars on Ice."

"I'm not sure if I will perform again, or produce. I don't want to take the focus off this year by trying to project into the future. But we just thought it was important for people to know this is the last time I will tour."

Hamilton will say goodbye in the show in a series of numbers in which he reflects on his career and his relationships with his skating colleagues and audiences over the years.

"It's easier seen than described," he says. "Some of the music choices say it all about reflecting on where I've been."

The show is a very expensive one to mount, which is reflected in the ticket prices, said tour publicist Todd Fraser.

"It's expensive because the production values are such," he said. "The lighting grid is bigger than most rock shows."