2017 U.S. Stars on Ice (April 13 & May 4-21): publicity articles, fan reports & more

[mollymgr]

Thanks to @Jozet @Pretty Vegas and @Debbie S for taking the time to write reviews.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

Yes, thanks for the reports, I enjoyed them!

I think maybe SOI considers this year's tour a loss leader? They're doing well enough in Canada and Japan to pay the bills, and keeping the brand alive in the U.S. without putting much effort into it. They're gambling the crowds will be big enough in the Olympic year to make up for it.

 

[Debbie S]

It almost looks as though the tour itself was a form of advertising -- could its costs be subsidized by USFS? It's baffling to me.

I don't think non-profit USFS would be subsidizing for-profit SOI/IMG. The relationship between USFS and SOI is more about benefiting USFS (and in return, USFS sanctions SOI, allowing Oly-eligible skaters to perform) - through the Skate Fests (group instruction workshops ultimately designed to get people to sign up for lessons at their local rink) and the 'club activities' - the local skater's performances (that cost $300/person, which does add to SOI's profit, so that is a way the tour benefits) and synchro team performances. It's all about promoting the sport at the grassroots levels. My guess is that USFS wanted to do something to connect fan interest with local skating - i.e. if fans love watching shows, maybe they'd like to sign themselves/their kids up for group lessons and maybe their kid will be an Olympian or World Junior synchro skater (or at least get to perform with a group at a local tour stop).

I think maybe SOI considers this year's tour a loss leader? They're doing well enough in Canada and Japan to pay the bills, and keeping the brand alive in the U.S. without putting much effort into it. They're gambling the crowds will be big enough in the Olympic year to make up for it.

Good point. SOI has become a global enterprise, so maybe the U.S. market isn't really a priority for them right now.

 

[blancanieves]

Two brief clips from the Hershey, PA show:

Hubbell & Donohue, Stand by Me

Finale

 

[Spun Silver]

Yes, thanks for the reports, I enjoyed them!

I think maybe SOI considers this year's tour a loss leader? They're doing well enough in Canada and Japan to pay the bills, and keeping the brand alive in the U.S. without putting much effort into it. They're gambling the crowds will be big enough in the Olympic year to make up for it.

If so, then every year's tour is a loss leader. It's been the same since I started going ten years ago except maybe in Olympic years, papered houses and all (= free tix for various senior and children's groups)... and it's only shrinking. It honestly looks more like a nonprofit than a for-profit operation. Maybe the sponsors enable it to break even or make a little money.

Someone above asked how big the Ice House is wrt seating. I dont know but it's a club rink. It had seats on three sides when Miki had her show there (maybe that was the largest of their several rinks, I dont remember).

 

[princeton123]

I'm surprised Davis and White aren't able to boost attendance a bit? I mean, Meryl won DWTS.

 

[Spun Silver]

I'm surprised Davis and White aren't able to boost attendance a bit? I mean, Meryl won DWTS.

They cant really afford to advertise her. AFAIK, all they have is free advertising on a little TV and radio. It is not a hot ticket.

 

[princeton123]

They cant really afford to advertise her. AFAIK, all they have is free advertising on a little TV and radio. It is not a hot ticket.

She has almost 500k combined Twitter/Instagram followers. Idk, it's just a little surprising, that's all. DWTS's demo and figure skating's demo are practically identical.

 

[Spun Silver]

She has almost 500k combined Twitter/Instagram followers. Idk, it's just a little surprising, that's all. DWTS's demo and figure skating's demo are practically identical.

I dont think she promotes it much herself on her Instagram!

 

[AxelAnnie]

I am so very excited. I will be going to the San Jose show....with front row tickets, and tickets to the meet & greet (where I will hide in a corner so I don't let on that I am in awe).

Lucky for me Karen Chen And Patrick C. will be there. I am so perplexed that the US Nationals podiums are not all there.

Years ago, when FS was a huge deal, I took my friends 3 girls to SOI in Oakland. I did not tell them where we were going. We pulled in to the massive parking lot, and they saw an SOI truck. They were so excited. The youngest yelled......."OMG...I have never seen a triple axel". Cracked me up.

 

[Debbie S]

She has almost 500k combined Twitter/Instagram followers. Idk, it's just a little surprising, that's all. DWTS's demo and figure skating's demo are practically identical.

That "combined" figure probably includes many of the same people who just happen to follow her in 2 venues. I'm sure most of those would love to see her perform live, but they may not live near one of the 7 tour stops and/or might not be able to afford tickets and/or some other reason. It's kind of a chicken-and-egg issue....fewer (and smaller) cities means less exposure which translates into less future interest/awareness which means lower ticket sales in the future.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

Meryl and Charlie were on DWTS 6 seasons ago - reality tv fans move on very quickly. Plus that show has its own tour coming up.

 

[cheremary]

I think the combination of being in a smaller place at least two hours away from a major city and holding the show on a Thursday night really hurt the Hershey attendance. Perhaps one could be overcome but both is quite difficult. The next few shows are in bigger cities and on weekends, so hopefully attendance there will be better.

 

[Spun Silver]

I am so very excited. I will be going to the San Jose show....with front row tickets, and tickets to the meet & greet (where I will hide in a corner so I don't let on that I am in awe).

Lucky for me Karen Chen And Patrick C. will be there. I am so perplexed that the US Nationals podiums are not all there.

Years ago, when FS was a huge deal, I took my friends 3 girls to SOI in Oakland. I did not tell them where we were going. We pulled in to the massive parking lot, and they saw an SOI truck. They were so excited. The youngest yelled......."OMG...I have never seen a triple axel". Cracked me up.

Had she seen one by the end of the performance?

 

[Spun Silver]

I think the combination of being in a smaller place at least two hours away from a major city and holding the show on a Thursday night really hurt the Hershey attendance. Perhaps one could be overcome but both is quite difficult. The next few shows are in bigger cities and on weekends, so hopefully attendance there will be better.

I have always gone to Newark (no longer on the tour), very reachable by public transportation (with some effort) from NYC and by car from various parts of New Jersey. And it was always on a weekend. Same story of empty and papered seats. The audience knows it's a bust (commercially) and it must be hard for the skaters to keep up their energy too.

I would still go and literally cheer on the skaters if it were in Newark but it's pretty depressing. You would think they would lower the ticket prices in view of the low demand.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I wonder why SOI didn't take over the COI gig at the arena in Everett, where 2008 Skate America was held. It's a smaller arena and it was packed for COI with a very engaged crowd. It's a 10-minute walk from Everett Station, one of the area's bus hubs, and an afternoon weekend would be ideal.

Key Arena is centrally located in Seattle, but it sucks, just like trying to park around there, which is often described as a competitive sport in itself, especially on a Saturday night.

I have to wonder why the last stop in Wenatchee is at 7:30pm on a Sunday. I would think they'd get a better crowd if they started in the afternoon, after post-divorce lunch.

 

[ZilphaK]

But, unless they're really good or funny speakers, it could grow old or awkward fast.

I think Charlie could do it. It might be a bit fumbly at first, but he'd have to start somewhere. When I did that brief interview with him, he was very well-spoken, outgoing, had a good sense of humor. It's a bit of a learned skill, I'm sure. I wonder whether Ryan Bradley would be good at something like that? Again, it doesn't have to duplicate what Scott or Kurt did...but even an intro/outro for each act could help make he connection to the ice, especially for the very casual or "skate curious" fans who show up.

Ashley could probably be great at it, as well, with practice.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Jennifer Robinson was terrific at doing the in-audience announcing. Some skaters have the aptitude, and she got better and better as she became more comfortable with it

 

[Scrufflet]

Yes, thanks for the reports, I enjoyed them!

I think maybe SOI considers this year's tour a loss leader? They're doing well enough in Canada and Japan to pay the bills, and keeping the brand alive in the U.S. without putting much effort into it. They're gambling the crowds will be big enough in the Olympic year to make up for it.

Re SOI in Canada: I attended the Toronto show on Thursday with 2 others. We enjoyed it immensely as we were front row centre and got to chat with Dylan M. among other things. Our tickets were $155 each plus handling plus $30 for parking. According to the order sheet for next year, these on-ice seats will be $173 plus the handling fee and parking! OUCH! How can a family afford this? The arena was not full and I'm not sure that an Olympic year will be enough to fill it next year. We are die-hard fans so will be there next year but in cheaper seats ($98) for the first time in about 15=20 years, however long the show has been running.

 

[Firedancer]

Charlie was the first person I thought of that would be good for interacting with the crowd. But Ashley and Adam together would probably be hilarious.

 

[Coco]

Thinking back to the 90s, I feel like the US skaters really benefited immensely from their touring experiences. So our (US) up and comers are really missing out by not having the opportunity to do several shows in a row, experiencing travel and adjusting to new arenas, connecting with the crowd, having the chance to apply feedback ~48 hours later (or less), etc.

Would it be feasible to do a 'summer camp' for novice, intermediate and junior skaters? I'm thinking two weeks of focused instruction, with shows on the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays? So that would be six shows in all, at smaller venues. USFSA could bring in a big 'name' for each weekend to help with ticket sales.

 

[blancanieves]

A few videos from the Hershey, PA show:

SOI Hershey, PA

 

[princeton123]

Oh my god, Gracie......

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks, @blancanieves!

Davis/White's “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejYkJx1fiNI

Wagner's “Exogenesis: Symphony Part III” by Muse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU2yxgsKB-Q

Abbott's “Land of All” by Woodkid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS0tFE8yjmI

"City of Stars" transition with Gold to Rippon's “Diamonds” by Josef Salvat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAuzREfcO5A

Hubbell/Donohue's “Believer” by Imagine Dragons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc1Im5Tam7E

Nathan Chen's "Parachute" by Otto Knows (debuted here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wElxHoQX4Ho
Chen's "Stole the Show" by Kygo (feat. Parson James): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAOf4vH1Xr4

Karen Chen's "Butterfly Lovers": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfhk4JcA5GU (performed at 2017 Nationals exhibition gala?)

 

[DreamsofBliss]

This instagram user has some absolutely gorgeous photos from Hershey.
Davis and White--Adagio for Strings, Sax, Meryl alone
Hubbell and Donohue--1,2
Chock and Bates, Madison alone
Karen Chen--1,2
Nathan Chen--1,2,3
Ashley Wagner
Gracie Gold--1,2
Adam Rippon--1,2
Some of them are slide shows containing more than one photo.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Upon reflection it was most likely a double she wanted to see.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Oh my god, Gracie......

What was that? An arm work out? Well I'll see for myself next week.

 

[Karpenko]

These recent photos by Adam made my heart do a cartwheel:
https://twitter.com/adaripp/status/860686324927516672

It looks like Ashley/Gracie are becoming more friendly than ever, which is so great to see considering Gracie's crazy hard past season.

I'd love to see Karen turn this Butterfly Lovers program into a competitive LP, you can tell she really loves and feels the music. It's also very calm and could help her in competition. Same thing for "Stand by Me" by Hubbell/Donohue It would be a perfect FD for them next year after what happened at Worlds IMO, and it's a beautiful version of the song.

 

[dinakt]

Jeremy Meryl and Charlie They make me wish I could be there in person.
Nathan Chen is so talented. Another , even though young and not as sophisticated yet.

 

[Dolore]

I'm surprised Davis and White aren't able to boost attendance a bit? I mean, Meryl won DWTS.

Even during DWTS ( in an Olympic year no less ) Meryl and Charlie didn't boost SOI attendance. A lot of her Twitter and Instagram followers seem to be inactive, her most liked pictures rarely reach over 11k likes, which is in the realm of most of the popular skaters. A lot of them probably started following Meryl during DWTS and then forgot about her as soon as her showmance with Maks was over and a new season began. That happens to most DWTS participants.