2017-2018 Program Music and Choreographers

[Madhatter]

I think you're right - it's certainly not as universally known/loved as Riverdance. I know Hamilton is a huuuge hit over there, but in Europe, even if people know of it, they don't know the songs. It's very much an American phenomenon. The programme may still be a success and may still go viral worldwide, but outside of the US it won't be because people recognise the music.

It's my concern too, especially after listening to it a few times. Lots of the song is expositional, but it's expositional about things 95% of the world don't know about (or care about, really). They're going to have to cut it really carefully.

I wouldn't worry too much. As long as the music's good and the choreo and skater are convincing, everything should be fine. I think too much emphasis is put on knowing the story - most people are perfectly fine with new music. Not all soundtracks are familiar to people, for example. Med had a succsessful - if controversial in the US - program, and people who didn't know what it was about still enjoyed it (both people I watched it with did), Hanyu had a very successful program based on an obscure Japanese movie, I remember loving Stolbova/Klimov 2015/16 LP despite not having the foggiest idea what it was about.

Hamilton won't increase Jason's worldwide chances just by being Hamilton, but it won't hurt him either.

 

[Tavi]

Saw both of Jason's programs at Skate Milwaukee - they're gonna be good!

 

[Karpenko]

Saw both of Jason's programs at Skate Milwaukee - they're gonna be good!

That's it?! So do you have any details?? Footwork, will the LP be as good as last year, how are the jumps looking right now, etc. and thank you for the tidbit!

 

[Tavi]

That's it?! So do you have any details?? Footwork, will the LP be as good as last year, how are the jumps looking right now, etc. and thank you for the tidbit!

How bout I answer in the Jason thread.

 

[Karpenko]

That'll work for me. and thank you.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I love that we complain about war horses 24/7 and now Jason chooses something no senior international skater has skated to yet and we get a whole bunch of comments that people won't know it.

I think the refrain of "I want to be in the room where it happens" is going to be relatable without needing to understand the rest of the history. And I'm not Jason's biggest fan, but I think this program will work really well for him. This style is going to suit him.

 

[Coco]

OMG...why do I always forget about Skate Milwaukee? Is it this weekend? Bastille Days is going on just a few blocks from there, hope the skaters get to have some fun.

 

[Sylvia]

Clips of Jason Brown's "In The Room Where It Happens"/Hamilton SP from his debut on Friday - re-posting @el henry's links:

Fancam of Jason Brown's SP at Skate Milwaukee from an Instagram user:
(in three parts)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWkZrqDhfdJ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWkZeesh8hK/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWkaSR2B9lP/

P.S. The rink's sound system is not great, which is not unusual at club competitions.

 

[misskarne]

I love that we complain about war horses 24/7 and now Jason chooses something no senior international skater has skated to yet and we get a whole bunch of comments that people won't know it.

Mostly I'm just nervous because I want the season to go so perfectly for all my faves that the very thought that such a tiny detail could affect Jason has me a bit anxious.

It's working in one regard at least - I've been going around humming "I wanna be in the room where it happens, the room where it happens" almost non-stop.

 

[screech]

I like the song, and had high hopes for this program (to hopefully move me on to the Jason fan train) but after watching the clips (and yes I know it's still early) I feel like the song doesn't translate that well to a skating program.

 

[VGThuy]

Hamilton is very exposition heavy (the lyrics are the plot and at times the dialogue) so I'm excited about this challenge.

 

[Kultakissu]

I love that we complain about war horses 24/7 and now Jason chooses something no senior international skater has skated to yet and we get a whole bunch of comments that people won't know it.

I think the refrain of "I want to be in the room where it happens" is going to be relatable without needing to understand the rest of the history. And I'm not Jason's biggest fan, but I think this program will work really well for him. This style is going to suit him.

Well I for one was not complaining that people won't know it - I just saw a lot of posts saying that Hamilton was going to be great for Jason because it's such a worldwide phenomenon, when it's actually not. So just correcting a misunderstanding, really. I personally think it's a great choice for Jason and I even kind of like the tune Even if I didn't like it, I'd still think it's a great choice for him because it obviously means so much to him!

I was trying to make the same point as @Madhatter, who put it more elegantly: "Hamilton won't increase Jason's worldwide chances just by being Hamilton, but it won't hurt him either."

 

[Kultakissu]

Just watched the clips...that footwork is INSANE

 

[Karpenko]

He does the Tonya Harding drop kick in his footwork sequence. that's all that I needed to see, sold.

 

[nuge]

Is that the same piece that Samuelson/Bates won Junior Worlds with?

Sorry no idea about that as I never saw S/B in juniors.I love the piece it's dramatic and builds up slowly.I think maybe a team like Bobrova/Soloviev Stepanova/Bukin could pull it off?

 

[VGThuy]

Sorry no idea about that as I never saw S/B in juniors.I love the piece it's dramatic and builds up slowly.I think maybe a team like Bobrova/Soloviev Stepanova/Bukin could pull it off?

I just looked it up, and it is the same piece:

https://youtu.be/azoyfCrL4GQ

I remember really enjoying their choreography and performance and thinking they were the future of U.S. ice dance. Sigh. Anyway, I think Stepanova/Bukin could probably pull it off.

 

[arakwafan2006]

Is Jason marking a Quad Sal? Does anyone know?

 

[Sylvia]

Is Jason marking a Quad Sal? Does anyone know?

Most likely, yes.

Kori Ade said in her "Ice Talk" podcast on IceNetwork after Worlds that (paraphrasing) she likes Jason's 4S better but that he likes the feel of the 4T more.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

He does the Tonya Harding drop kick in his footwork sequence. that's all that I needed to see, sold.

All we need is a death-drop!!!!!

 

[AYS]

Clips of Jason Brown's "In The Room Where It Happens"/Hamilton SP from his debut on Friday - re-posting @el henry's links:

P.S. The rink's sound system is not great, which is not unusual at club competitions.

I'm so #$%$# excited.

 

[Meoima]

I wouldn't worry too much. As long as the music's good and the choreo and skater are convincing, everything should be fine. I think too much emphasis is put on knowing the story - most people are perfectly fine with new music. Not all soundtracks are familiar to people, for example. Med had a succsessful - if controversial in the US - program, and people who didn't know what it was about still enjoyed it (both people I watched it with did), Hanyu had a very successful program based on an obscure Japanese movie, I remember loving Stolbova/Klimov 2015/16 LP despite not having the foggiest idea what it was about.

Hamilton won't increase Jason's worldwide chances just by being Hamilton, but it won't hurt him either.

It might have great effect on American and European if they know the music.
Asians don't know though. As an Asian, I just looked up the music on YouTube. I have to say it's not my taste but certainly judges might like it.

 

[Sylvia]

For those who'd like to hear the music composed by Maxime Rodriguez for Jason Brown's FS:

Fancam of Jason's free skate from the same person who uploaded the short program:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWm_hQjh3dL/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWnBMCEh0lk/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWnBbPOB852/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWnAiHhB5R6/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWnA2DxhWA6/

(It's normal for him to water down his jumps when debuting a new FS in competition.)

 

[chapis]

Sorry no idea about that as I never saw S/B in juniors.I love the piece it's dramatic and builds up slowly.I think maybe a team like Bobrova/Soloviev Stepanova/Bukin could pull it off?

Yes!!, I totally imagine them skating this song.

 

[missing]

Gracie Gold announces her selections:

People (Streisand) for her short program.

“They started playing ‘People’ from Funny Girl and we just liked it,” Gold said, confirming her short program, saying that the way it’s cut together is “really nice.”

La Bayadera for her freeskate.

Gold described “La Bayadera” as a mashup between “Sleeping Beauty” (her Olympic long program from Sochi) and “Scheherazade” (Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s gold medal-winning free dance from Sochi).

 

[chapis]

Gracie Gold announces her selections:

People (Streisand) for her short program.

“They started playing ‘People’ from Funny Girl and we just liked it,” Gold said, confirming her short program, saying that the way it’s cut together is “really nice.”

La Bayadera for her freeskate.

Gold described “La Bayadera” as a mashup between “Sleeping Beauty” (her Olympic long program from Sochi) and “Scheherazade” (Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s gold medal-winning free dance from Sochi).

I love it!!!!

 

[kwanfan1818]

While Aurora dances on pointe in the Petipa and Scheherezade didn't in the Folkine, the dual character -- temple dancer and ballerina in the white tutu - is very much built into Nikiya's character.

 

[VGThuy]

On social media, Gracie has been grateful to the people in her life these past few months, so the SP music choice seems appropriate. If she had to go Streisand, at least it's not the now overused "Papa Can You Hear Me?".

 

[petro]

While I've never been the biggest Gracie Gold fan, I truly hope that SHE loves her new programs and manages to find some joy and love for skating again this season. No matter what happens with the Olympics, I just hope she does her own thing and can block out all the haters. Can't wait to see what she comes up with! Go get 'em, Gracie!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Gracie Gold announces her selections:

People (Streisand) for her short program.

“They started playing ‘People’ from Funny Girl and we just liked it,” Gold said, confirming her short program, saying that the way it’s cut together is “really nice.”

La Bayadera for her freeskate.

Gold described “La Bayadera” as a mashup between “Sleeping Beauty” (her Olympic long program from Sochi) and “Scheherazade” (Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s gold medal-winning free dance from Sochi).

YESSS!! Ive been the most anxious/curious about her.

I like these selections! Especially the SP!!

 

[Spun Silver]

Gracie Gold announces her selections:

People (Streisand) for her short program.

“They started playing ‘People’ from Funny Girl and we just liked it,” Gold said, confirming her short program, saying that the way it’s cut together is “really nice.”

La Bayadera for her freeskate.

Gold described “La Bayadera” as a mashup between “Sleeping Beauty” (her Olympic long program from Sochi) and “Scheherazade” (Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s gold medal-winning free dance from Sochi).

I dont know the Streisand song but it sounds like a nice mix. I wish her well!

Btw, it's an E, not A, at the end of Bayadere.