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

[Kecasyl]

^^^^
Yes, I'm aware the Bowie & Muse programs were their free dance/skates last season. It's my opinion UP didn't translate well is all, and I loved their free dance this season. And I didn't mention it, but I actually hated both Jeremy's routines, which I assume he choreographed himself.

I only said I thought one group number was gimmicky, the Bright Lights routine. I liked the other group numbers. Your reply to me seems like some sort of grievance against Jeffrey Buttle? I thought his other group numbers were a lot of fun.

First of all I wasn't replying to you at all or I would have quoted you. I was talking to Kwanfan1818.
So IDK why you're coming at me.

Some people didn't get Jeremy's programs and no he did not choreograph them himself, it was Benoit Richard the acclaimed figure skating choreographer, but then again many (and no I'm not saying you) don't want to actually look at the art or think about the meaning of a program if it doesn't slap them in the face so YMMV.

No grievance with Jeffrey Buttle here, though I think his choreography is hit and miss, the reviewing public though tends to think it's a huge miss.

 

[Kecasyl]

^^
It seems Jeremy's routines were choreographed by Benoit Richaud

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR6rJXMjWOs/

We posted at the same time.

 

[mylifeback]

Now I know who to direct my disapproval to, lol. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Kecasyl]

Yes because heavens forbid that this sport get some artistry back.

 

[mylifeback]

First of all I wasn't replying to you at all or I would have quoted you. I was talking to Kwanfan1818.
So IDK why you're coming at me.

Some people didn't get Jeremy's programs and no he did not choreograph them himself, it was Benoit Richard the acclaimed figure skating choreographer, but then again many (and no I'm not saying you) don't want to actually look at the art or think about the meaning of a program if it doesn't slap them in the face so YMMV.

No grievance with Jeffrey Buttle here, though I think his choreography is hit and miss, the reviewing public though tends to think it's a huge miss.

Oh, sorry, I skimmed only the first sentence of the post you quoted and thought you were responding to me, which is probably why your post seemed strange to me.

 

[Kecasyl]

Oh, sorry, I skimmed only the first sentence of the post you quoted and thought you were responding to me, which is probably why your post seemed strange to me.

 

[mylifeback]

Yes because heavens forbid that this sport get some artistry back.

It's possible to both enjoy artistry in programs and not like Jeremy's programs? I'm all for bringing more artistry back. I just didn't like his programs, and I think a lot of it was that I didn't like his costumes lol. I spent the whole time thinking about the costumes, which probably prevented me from enjoying his performances more, I guess? Anyway.

 

[Kecasyl]

It's possible to both enjoy artistry in programs and not like Jeremy's programs? I'm all for bringing more artistry back. I just didn't like his programs.

As I've said YMMV!

 

[kwanfan1818]

First of all I just want to make it known to you that both C/B's Under Pressure and Wagner's Muse programs were competitive pieces they decided to include in the show.

Yes, and Wagner's "Muse" program was modified and didn't look or feel like a competitive program, while C/B's looked like nothing else.

As far as the other programs you mentioned you liked, especially in the first half of the show, thank the skaters who choreographed them for themselves or their individual solo choreographers for making those stand out. The gimmicky group numbers you referred to are the products of Jeffrey Buttle.

There was only one group number I found gimmicky, the light pants one. The others I included in my show rave.

It's possible to both enjoy artistry in programs and not like Jeremy's programs?

Absolutely.

 

[Alilou]

No grievance with Jeffrey Buttle here, though I think his choreography is hit and miss, the reviewing public though tends to think it's a huge miss.

If the viewing public in Vancouver carries any credibility at all they seemed to love the group numbers choreographed by Buttle. There was universal appreciation from the crowd.

I personally loved the Bright Lights number. It did not strike me as gimmicky so much as something original that hasn't been done before, however the woman sitting next to me said she wanted to see them not it was less of a hit with her.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I've seen the Bright Lights concept done a lot better by a trio called Air Jazz back in the '80's at Jacob's Pillow.

In another show, and with a lot more mileage, it could have worked. For example, if this was a show with Scott Hamilton doing his Wizard of Oz piece or Kurt Browning doing one of his lighter numbers, especially dressed as a clown, or with Dan Hollander's Mrs. Doubtfire, I think it would have worked. Tone-wise, it didn't fit the US SOI show.

From an execution standpoint, it is also a lot easier to get the timing and spacing down on a physical stage, like Air Jazz did, even with touring. (Those little glow-tape X's can be measured out carefully.) The 10th or so arena, max: not so much. The lights out part is unforgiving. Maybe the Canadian cast was a lot sharper.

Given Rippon's and Abbott's solos, I wish Shawn Sawyer had been invited to the US show, to make the trifecta, especially as he wasn't champion enough to be invited to CSOI, where he has been a standout every time he's appeared.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I watched all the videos from the shows, thank you all who posted them.
Karen Chen's "Butterfly" number is MAGIC... The only lady single programme that was worth watching (for me).
Feel bad for Gracie. Ashley ..... i don't know.... you're not supposed to complain about a "good old prime beef hamburger" when you're in USA, but it is not "Souffle Fromage".
Karen's number was exquisite.... wow, you go girl! be an "artiste"....

 

[Alilou]

Maybe the Canadian cast was a lot sharper.

Of course they were

 

[Kecasyl]

I've seen the Bright Lights concept done a lot better by a trio called Air Jazz back in the '80's at Jacob's Pillow.

In another show, and with a lot more mileage, it could have worked. For example, if this was a show with Scott Hamilton doing his Wizard of Oz piece or Kurt Browning doing one of his lighter numbers, especially dressed as a clown, or with Dan Hollander's Mrs. Doubtfire, I think it would have worked. Tone-wise, it didn't fit the US SOI show.

From an execution standpoint, it is also a lot easier to get the timing and spacing down on a physical stage, like Air Jazz did, even with touring. (Those little glow-tape X's can be measured out carefully.) The 10th or so arena, max: not so much. The lights out part is unforgiving. Maybe the Canadian cast was a lot sharper.

Given Rippon's and Abbott's solos, I wish Shawn Sawyer had been invited to the US show, to make the trifecta, especially as he wasn't champion enough to be invited to CSOI, where he has been a standout every time he's appeared.

I agree and have been wanting Sawyer back on the US tour, but he did join the Canadian tour for their last two shows.

 

[twizzlesizzle]

If the viewing public in Vancouver carries any credibility at all they seemed to love the group numbers choreographed by Buttle. There was universal appreciation from the crowd.

Then Canada can keep him. Give us someone else for the US Tour.

I personally loved the Bright Lights number. It did not strike me as gimmicky so much as something original that hasn't been done before, however the woman sitting next to me said she wanted to see them not it was less of a hit with her.

This program was a dangerous program and thankfully it's done now. There was no epilepsy warning at the beginning of the show. Numbers like this can induce seizures. This was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

[kwanfan1818]

There were no strobe lights.

 

[seabm7]

I went to Stars on Ice in Toronto 2010. This was right after the Vancouver Olympics. There was that gorgeous black dress of Joannie, remembering her mother. Also there were those warning papers of "strobe lights" on the gates of Air Canada Center.

 

[paskatefan]

Personally I was thrilled that Ashley & Chock & Bates skated to their Exogenesis & Under Pressure programs, respectively!

 

[Sylvia]

Michelle Kennedy's Seattle SOI review, published in her blog: http://www.centeredspin.com/starsonice/

Wenatchee, WA fan cams:
[3 links are re-posted below]

3 more videos from Wenatchee:
Rippon's "Diamonds": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pud5MQadihY
Final 2 mins. of "Fratres" into Hubbell/Donohue's "Stand by Me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ05DLorivI
Chock/Bates' "Under Pressure": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40qldhwvDV8

---

2017 skate order (with some of the better quality fan cams that were posted earlier in this thread) included below:

In Dreams

ACT I - Clips from San Jose (in program order): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDbKbF75FPE

“24K Magic” Bruno Mars - Cast
From Wenatchee - on ice level: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc--dedE2ns
From Seattle(?) - birdseye view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T18zpgazujI

Note: Vincent Zhou (guest star in Anaheim only) skated to "Sun" by Sleeping At Last in this spot, according to @TanithandBenFan's Anaheim review.

“Bang Bang” & “Best Mistake” Ariana Grande - Gracie Gold

“City of Stars” from La La Land (interlude/transition piece) - Gracie Gold & Adam Rippon

“Diamonds” Josef Salvat - Adam Rippon
(Wenatchee link posted above)

“Believer” Imagine Dragons - Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue
From Hershey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoQi3x0EBTo

“Land of All” Woodkid - Jeremy Abbott
From San Jose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_DYn9uZ6iI

“Rise” Katy Perry - Karen Chen
From afar in Seattle(?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nck1sHQrRVE

“Tango” Gotan Project - Madison Chock & Evan Bates
From Wenatchee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDUuISPg8oc

“Bright Lights” Gibbz - Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner, Jeremy Abbott, Adam Rippon

“Stole the Show” Kygo - Nathan Chen
From Anaheim (4T is partially blocked): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQnGhcD-24s

“Adagio for Strings” Samuel Barber - Meryl Davis & Charlie White
From Hershey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejYkJx1fiNI

“Exogenesis: Symphony Part III” Muse - Ashley Wagner
From Fort Myers, FL (1st show): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POgX_AcWH1c

“Send in the Clowns” Barbra Streisand (Tribute to Jef Billings) - Cast

---

ACT II - Clips from San Jose (in program order): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JMWQYabIfE

“Fratres” Arvo Pärt - Cast

“Stand by Me” Florence + the Machine - Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue
(Wenatchee link posted above)

“Getaway” Tritonal ft. Angel Taylor - Adam Rippon

“Parachute” Otto Knows - Nathan Chen
From afar in Seattle(?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho4sXqs4q6Y

“Tilted” Christine and the Queens - Jeremy Abbott, Madison Chock & Evan Bates
(thanks to @TanithandBenFan for identifying the song)

“Golden” Ruth B - Gracie Gold

“Black Hole Sun” Nouela - Meryl Davis & Charlie White, Madison Chock & Evan Bates, Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue
From Wenatchee with focus on C/B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOM7soBta2g

“Butterfly Lovers” - Karen Chen
From afar in Seattle(?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olMGhfhXWKU

“In This Shirt” The Irrepressibles - Jeremy Abbott
(ETA - scroll down to post #263 for Minori Y's Seattle & Wenatchee videos)

“Under Pressure” David Bowie & Queen - Madison Chock & Evan Bates
(Wenatchee link posted above)

“Handclap” Fitz and the Tantrums - Ashley Wagner
From Fort Myers, FL (1st show): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orh9AcPJHL0
From afar in Seattle(?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q1B_qwxHYQ

“Sax” Fleur East - Meryl Davis & Charlie White
From Hershey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BPPk_Mcu7Y

“Can't Stop the Feeling!” Justin Timberlake - Cast
From Hershey (ice level): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy8f52syhGo
From Seattle(?) birdseye view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NKG-Xt17ss

ETA:

My friend Minori (@JeremyAbbott_FC ) took some gorgeous photos at San Jose SOI:
- Karen's Rise
- Madison & Zach's Stand By Me
- Madison & Evan's Tango
- Nathan's Stole the Show
(Please don't use/reproduce any portion of her photos without her permission)

More of Minori's SOI photos: https://twitter.com/minoriphotos

 

[Kecasyl]

There were no strobe lights.

Actually there were strobes during the end of Jeremy Abbott's first program where he does the step sequence.
Secondly, it's not only strobes that set off some epileptics, I am aware of this from someone I know that has them.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I was responding to the assertion that Bright Lights was the dangerous program.

 

[Kecasyl]

I was responding to the assertion that Bright Lights was the dangerous program.

Actually it can be. There are epileptics that have brain reactions to LED lights in darkness, I have seen this set off my friend, and it's never fun.

Bright Lights seemed to be a kitschy program that everyone reviewing it liked the least of everything anyway, so it's not like it's needed, this same concept was done a few years ago with LED gloves. Time to get new choreography ideas IMHO.

 

[seabm7]

Minori Yanagishima posted two more videos on Jeremy Abbott's "In this Shirt"

Her account:
https://www.youtube.com/user/minorinminorinpcf

"In this Shirt"
(Seattle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiXkn2titOw
(Wenatchee) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjAcS5fgDYY

The introduction video for his performance is really interesting.

 

[Sylvia]

I think these 9 fan cams are from the Seattle show:

“24K Magic” Bruno Mars - Cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T18zpgazujI

“Diamonds” Josef Salvat - Adam Rippon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA9_i4Qb3Yk

“Land of All” Woodkid - Jeremy Abbott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5FYqWxbCWA

"Rise" Katy Perry - Karen Chen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nck1sHQrRVE

“Handclap” Fitz and the Tantrums - Ashley Wagner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q1B_qwxHYQ

2nd half:

"Parachute" Otto Knows - Nathan Chen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho4sXqs4q6Y

"Butterfly Lovers" - Karen Chen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olMGhfhXWKU

“Sax” Fleur East - Meryl Davis & Charlie White
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z239OVMmb6U

“Can't Stop the Feeling!” Justin Timberlake - Cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NKG-Xt17ss

A few more vids (not the best quality) uploaded to the same account:

Jeremy's back flip in the finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qFOka5r-hg

Adam Rippon's "Getaway" solo in the second half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXRIhxq66rI

Chock/Bates' "Under Pressure": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKRZ-YutJGU

Hubbell/Donohue's "Believer" in the first half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x38BLwIN5Z0

ETA:

A new blog post from Madi. She talks about their Stars on Ice experience:

http://www.hubbell-donohue.com/

 

[blancanieves]

Photos from the San Jose, CA show from Absolute Skating:

SOI photo gallery