Stars on Ice 2018
I’ve been crazy busy recently (work, life, etc.) so I haven’t had as much time as I’d like to follow figure skating, but I did take the time on Friday night to go see Stars on Ice in Toronto. Unfortunately, none of the pictures from my phone turned out, so I won’t subject anyone to blurry skaters. (I was in row 6, but that was just far enough for my old iPhone.) Anyway, here are my thoughts on this year’s show (long and pretty random):
I was late getting to the Air Canada Centre (running from work) and there were still long lines through security (people were grumbling about not knowing they couldn’t bring in backpacks and having to check them, although I clearly remember reading it on my ticket and remembering not to bring mine), so I missed the opening number, which was a shame because I like group numbers. I watched it later on YouTube though, and it wasn’t the most memorable, so that’s ok. I got to my seat halfway through Gabby Daleman’s first number (sorry Gabby!).
I did make it in time for Applause though, which was great. Loved the high energy, Kaitlyn was fierce, and let’s face it, it’s always nice to see Andrew in a sleeveless shirt (I may be happily married, but I’m not dead).
I love Jeff Buttle’s choreography, it’s so much better than Kurt Browning’s, IMO. (Speaking of Kurt Browning, back in March I saw him rollerblading down Yonge St really fast and I had to get out of his way. Not sure it’s actually legal to rollerblade on sidewalks, Kurt. It was during worlds so I think he was rollerblading to the CBC HQ for commentary - he definitely wasn’t in Milan.) I thought having the short group numbers in this year’s show was really interesting (were there any last year? I didn’t go). I really loved “Where’s My Love” (again, Andrew). It’s such a heartbreaking song and the choreography on this less than two-minute number was beautiful. I wish it had been longer.
“Shape of You” was such total fan-baiting from Tessa & Scott and Kaitlyn & Andrew. Ok, it was pretty hot, but it didn’t stop me from laughing at all the screaming going on in the crowd. Loved the costumes. Unfortunately, I thought Meagan & Eric were really out of place in it.
Speaking of Meagan, I saw her struggling a bit with the choreography throughout the show. I saw a few stumbles and she really looked like she was concentrating really hard in the group numbers. I have a ton of respect for Meagan and Eric and what they achieved as competitors, but I don’t find them particularly interesting as show performers.
The boys’ number was a lot of fun (see above: Andrew).
The girls’ number was lovely but it didn’t stick in my mind that much, and I had to go back to rewatch it on YouTube.
I hate country music with a passion (most of it makes me want to rip my ears off and stomp on them), but Tennessee Whiskey was gorgeous. (Also, Andrew in tight jeans.)
I’m old enough to remember lighters in stadiums for concerts, so everyone turning their phone flashlights on was really funny to me.
Kaitlyn looked so happy to be skating the entire time. I mean, really and truly delighted.
Speaking of Kaitlyn, she did the World Vision pitch this year, to encourage people to sponsor a child. (Long aside: I have issues with World Vision and the religious requirements they have for their employees. The organization also specifically does not hire LGBT employees in the US, although they don’t have the same requirement in Canada. I understand that there isn’t any religious requirement for World Vision to provide aid around the world, but I prefer to support an organization that has no religious affiliation. Full disclosure: up until very recently I worked for Save the Children Canada, a World Vision “competitor” that doesn’t have any religious affiliation.) Kaitlyn spoke really well and was very compelling (almost convinced me to sponsor a child). In her speech, she referred to Andrew as her “tall, dark, really handsome” partner, her “light” and her “family”. Draw your own conclusions from there.
I really do not get the Elvis love. Seeing him in the group numbers really highlighted how terrible his skating skills are and his complete lack of grace and elegance. And he skated to Nickelback, which is just the nail in the coffin for me, period.
I also don’t get the Tragically Hip and never have, which apparently makes me the worst Canadian in the world. (Seriously, there’s a reason they never made it big anywhere outside Canada.) But damnit if I didn’t have “Long Time Running” in my head afterwards.
But Roxanne was pretty spectacular live. The crowd went nuts, which certainly added to it.
It was a sold out crowd in Toronto with lots of energy in the building. Needed it after the Raptors (sob).
I loved the closing, with the introductions and the GoPro and how they broke off to interact with the crowd (Toronto Mayor John Tory was a few rows ahead of me - eating Twizzlers - and I’m pretty sure Kaitlyn jumped further back into the crowd to shake his hand) then came back into choreography for the final bow.
So in all, worth taking the time out and the $100 for the ticket.
