2023 U.S. Stars on Ice tour (May 20-June 4) with international cast

[mtnskater]

The show in Anaheim tonight was great. So glad I flew out here for a visit to Disneyland and to catch Stars on Ice with Mr. Mtnskater.

The entire cast gave top notch high level performances. The group number saying goodbye to Kurt got the tears rolling down my cheeks. Kurt received the only standing ovation of the evening with a program to The Who with his fantastic signature moves, agility and footwork. Nathan is more smooth and flowing than I’ve ever seen him. Looks like an Olympic Champion still…and I love his new shorter haircut. Saw his mom on the concourse. Also saw Renee Roca. Ilia was reeling off triple axels like butter, along with triple lutz, etc. And what is that crazy twisting leap Ilia has invented??? Jason was so excellent….just superlative. A crowd favorite of course. Knierim Frazier did throw triples in both numbers as well as triple twists. Really got a great crowd reaction. All solo women were great Satoko, Alyssa, Isabeau and Loena, the latter two doing great triple lutzes. Alyssa so impressive still. Have always loved her. Both ice dance teams also great. Chock and Bates were welcomed into the world champion club by Chen, Browning and Knierim & Frazier in a cute little interlude. Go see the show if you get the chance!!

 

[SkateGuard]

YouTube clips from the Anaheim CA show...

Knierim/Frazier first #1 (Shallow): https://youtu.be/kPochKUaBi8

Knierim/Frazier second #: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=takONjd91jo&pp=ygUMc3RhcnMgb24gaWNl

Nathan Chen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0eNTqciLDk

 

[Allskate]

Video of Isabeau's "Material Girl" program from SOI:

Team Isabeau Levito 💌 on Instagram: "“Material Girl” by Madonna What an amazing exhibition for Isabeau! Honestly we love this new look for her, something we don’t see a lot from her. I think we can all agree that this exhibition for Isabeau is a vi

286 likes, 11 comments - teamilevito on May 20, 2023: "“Material Girl” by Madonna What an amazing exhibition for Isabeau! Honestly we love this new look for her, something we don’t see..."

www.instagram.com

 

[karmena]

If Isabeu has a gift to be a versatile skater, it is good for her and good for skating as such. Not every skater has this gift to be versatile.

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks @Allskate - the teamlevito fan account also posted Isabeau's second half solo to "The Swan" in Anaheim: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Csfd5p4AdKY/

10 short clips from the Anaheim show: https://www.instagram.com/p/CshKVj3SJ-4/

Starting Order and Programs

https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660134334702166016

Thanks! This fan also tweeted a 1.5-minute clip of the men's section of the James Bond medley in Anaheim (as well as a few meet & greet pics afterwards): https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660256378022432771

Clips from both of Malinin's programs in Anaheim: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CshLyciM_7e/
ETA - @mtnskater did you mean at the beginning of his FS footwork sequence in the 2nd half clip above?

Ilia was reeling off triple axels like butter, along with triple lutz, etc. And what is that crazy twisting leap Ilia has invented???

Scott Reid's Kurt Browning article in the Orange County Register:

Kurt Browning bids adieu to Stars on Ice and its loyal fans

The four-time World champion is retiring from the show after 30 years of popular performances.

www.ocregister.com

Jason is quoted in this U.S. tour promo article:

‘Stars on Ice’ Begins U.S. Tour This Weekend - Sports Page Magazine

The 2023 United States section of the Stars on Ice tour will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday featuring an international cast of Olympic, World and National Champion ice skaters. The tour will then go on to seven additional cities in the next two weeks...

www.sportspagemagazine.com

Nathan helped promote the May 26 show at the new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs with these interviews:

Olympic figure skater Nathan Chen talks new book ahead of Stars on Ice at Acrisure Arena

The 2023 Stars on Ice tour featuring US Olympic medalists Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier, Jason Brown and more heads to Acrisure Arena on May 26.

www.desertsun.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T36HU40ML40

 

[love skating]

I went to Anaheim SOI as well and agree it was a great night of skating! It was my 27th SOI and some of you may remember last year I was emotional because my mom had just had a stroke and we always went together so it was my first without her there. I'm happy to report that she went with me last night - bit of a struggle walking, esp stairs etc. but we went early so we could go slowly and we got to watch together again!

It was my first time seeing Isabeau, Ilia, Satoko, Loena and Piper and Paul in person. All were great. Isabeau's jump technique didn't bother me (but in my opinion it shows up more in combos and she didn't do any combos). The Swan was really gorgeous to see in person. Ilia did great triple axels. No quad axel - but I think that's a wise choice. Nice to see Kurt and Alissa back after a long long time - still smooth performers. Regarding Alissa - I still remember seeing her for the first time in person at Nationals in 2002. She was so young then and I didn't know her but she instantly became a favorite of mine. Nathan was wonderful! His skating really stands out. And Jason is like the energizer bunny throughout the whole show. Alexa and Brandon and Madison and Evan all shone and skated with the confidence of world champs - nice to see twizzles from Madison and Evan and side by side spins from Alexa and Brandon. You don't always see those elements in shows.

Like last year there were no pre-order flyers on the seats like they did in the past. I wish we could pre-order cause it was much cheaper than ordering from Ticketmaster and paying all those fees! But maybe they take it year by year and aren't sure if they'll tour every year or where.

 

[Wyliefan]

So glad your mom was back with you!

 

[YukiNieve]

My friend's tweets:

Nathan went for the wrong exit

https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660217993090207745

James Bond: Nathan got shot at the end

https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660256378022432771

007 - Nathan and Jason at M&G

https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660544336826871808

 

[Frau Muller]

My friend's tweets:

…

007 - Nathan and Jason at M&G

https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660544336826871808

Hey, hey! Up close!

 

[Sylvia]

Kristi Yamaguchi was in the house (San Jose yesterday) with her younger daughter - her 4 photos & 3 clips: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csh-g8JunMv/

Vincent is back home after his first full year at Brown & was in attendance too - pic taken by a fan: https://twitter.com/kote1102/status/1660412393980297216

2 videos from the first half of the San Jose show:
Chock/Bates' "Nightcall": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNSI8_oDrFk
Knierim/Frazier's "Shallow": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoUQC9Tj6Tg

ETA:

Brian Boitano & Kim Navarro were at the San Jose show as well: https://twitter.com/starsonice/status/1660513688154173440
Kristi with Kurt: https://twitter.com/starsonice/status/1660417734948290560

 

[Sylvia]

4 5 more full videos from San Jose have been uploaded at the same account above:

Nathan:
"Hold Me Closer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAoTC6a4cXA
"Mr. Blue Sky": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-JKpSA0FZ0

Jason's "The Impossible Dream": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM9m1ywsv5c

Ilia's FS (jumps are all at beginning - 3T his rotation looks so slow here , 3F & 3Lz): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLWcdxPwo1M

Knierim/Frazier's "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TlmJNYqKPo

James Bond medley from Anaheim (6-minute compilation of closeup clips): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaY2cxsDTsU

 

[Sylvia]

And video #8 from San Jose - the full James Bond medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze4heOzC4hc

 

[kwanfan1818]

I've seen so many of Jason Brown's tour posts starting in Japan that I felt like I'd seen his programs live already, and, normally, for me he'd be the draw, but what really made me decide to buy the ticket to the Seattle show was the opportunity to see Satoko Miyahara live again.

Miyahara was fabulous. If anyone could have done a jumpless program, it would have been she, and I wish she had, aside from the split jump in the finale. Just gorgeous skating, line, edges, and gestures in both of her programs.

Among the recent competitors, it was my only chance to see Evita, The Impossible Dream, Knierim/Frazier's SP, and Chock/Bates' RD, however excerpted, although Knierim/Frazier's without the jumps was better, more at ease, and they did the big twist and triple throw. (Gilles/Poirier's waltzy bits in the bows after Evita didn't make sense without the waltz part of the program, which I really missed.) I wish I'd been able to see a longer version of Brown's program. I get why Backstreet Boys has crowd appeal, but I preferred the direct, passionate quality of his abridged FS and the beautiful, clear edges and lines. But it was over before I reached full verklemptitude.

Kurt Browning noodling around the ice was such a pleasure.

Hendrickx was .

I didn't realize how fluid Piper Gilles' upper body is and the seamless transitions she and Poirier have until I saw Evita live.

In C/B's first program and the group numbers, I could not take my eyes away from Bates: he is just so strong and fluid, and he moves so well. He still doesn't convince me in Latin dance, so I was watching Chock happily in their RD.

Malinin just has the most wonderful arsenal of non-competition jumps that come out of nowhere. It's almost likes he's on a snowboard, but better.

The biggest surprise to me was Chen, because his best qualities are one's better experienced live. He's so fluid, and he really is a dancer. He did at least three backflips throughout the show, and his timing and loft was like a platform diver's. He also rocked the tux and the dance in the Bond. He should always wear tuxedos.

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks for your report, @kwanfan1818!

Kurt's KING 5 morning show appearance before the Seattle show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ytjO2Uq7Q

Climate Pledge Arena's 6 action photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsnNPO4u9sI/

4 photos, including Alexa & Brandon's pre-show Q&A and the meet-and-greet afterwards: https://twitter.com/starsonice/status/1661273575377043456

This fan included short clips of Nathan's back flip & the finale in Seattle: https://twitter.com/RnRSeattleMark/status/1661243550464630786

Knierim/Frazier's "Shallow" from last night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX7vxqOis6o
(ETA) and their SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWV57rffHUY

... Knierim/Frazier's SP, and Chock/Bates' RD, however excerpted, although Knierim/Frazier's without the jumps was better, more at ease, and they did the big twist and triple throw.

Madi's Seattle pre-show photos include views from the Space Needle at dusk: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmduxHSWVs/
Piper's photos from the Chihuly Garden & Glass near the Space Needle: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsoXt4WL5OB/


A few meet & greet pics after the San Jose show:

Collage: https://twitter.com/tsukianul/status/1660549183198343169

Isabeau & Ilia (2): https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660892702680969216

Loena & Jason: https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660885865101672448

Nathan & Jason (2): https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1660544336826871808

And video #8 from San Jose - the full James Bond medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze4heOzC4hc

4 more from San Jose:

Opening group number starting with the video montage with the skaters' names flashed on screen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OREL5Bwq4z0

Kurt's "Please Forgive Me" by David Gray (1st half solo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alqC_VrTx2k

Chock/Bates' RD (2nd half solo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPz7KV0Hlr8

Closing group number ("Brand New"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ6ig9PIO50

Check out Nathan's fan thread for additional links.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Jason Brown posted these wonderful photos with a view of downtown Seattle:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cslzp_OLVJO/

 

[Sylvia]

Photos from the Anaheim show (by zxt.photos/Asia Pacific Arts online magazine) - opening number bows: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csmucs3Pd2j/ & https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmuNpAPJW1/
Assorted photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csmqxazvsxm/
Nathan, Satoko (3), Chock/Bates (2): https://www.instagram.com/p/Csmr3E5vQiC/
To Build A Home & James Bond group numbers: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csms8qpP4IE/
Nathan (with Kurt in 3rd pic): https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmtMhdP7I3/
Chock/Bates: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmtVJrvkud/
Satoko: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmtoI1PyKZ/
Nathan hovering over the ice: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csmuk3cvAos/

 

[Teenes]

I went to the Anaheim and San Jose shows, and shot the latter. It is interesting how different the US show isn't from the Canadian, down to not re-recording any of the videos so Elvis is still Blofeld in the James Bond videos (but an excellent Blofeld he is). My sister doesn't follow skating at all, and she just assumed it was Jason Brown (who I guess she thought most closely resembled the guy in the video). They integrated Nathan into all 4 group numbers (on 2 days of rehearsals, good for him) but only put Ilia and Isabeau into the finale (which made To Build a Home look a little sparse at first).

I've added the programs/runlists for both the US and Canadian tours to my site:
Canada: https://kurtfiles.com/soi/soiprograms/csoi23program.php
US: https://kurtfiles.com/soi/soiprograms/soi23program.php

I have a whole bunch of Act I photos from San Jose up on Instagram:
Opening number: https://www.instagram.com/p/CskHZj_P7D0/
All the non-Kurt solos from Act 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/CskMJifPBuJ/
Just Kurt from opening number and Please Forgive Me: https://www.instagram.com/p/CskjKZAOrWm/
To Build a Home (just Kurt): https://www.instagram.com/p/CslrgbqLCQV/
To Build a Home (portrait): https://www.instagram.com/p/Csp3KuKujyK/
To Build a Home (landscape): https://www.instagram.com/p/Csq8igOp1uh/

Also starting to go through Act 2, but haven't gotten very far.
James Bond (portrait): https://www.instagram.com/p/CsrFyg6p_81/

 

[Sylvia]

Jason's "Skater Cam" recap videos continue - this one covering the first 3 U.S. shows: https://twitter.com/starsonice/status/1662228699486494720

Day off (hiking near Palm Desert, golfing, Disneyland, sunning by the pool): https://www.instagram.com/p/CsudwOFJKfO/

Loena's Disneyland highlights (with Satoko, Isabeau, Ilia): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cst3A1qPLiN/

Piper's Instagram stories showed brother Todd flying his own plane to watch the show tonight!
ETA that twin Alexe was at the show too.

 

[Sylvia]

Alexa's quick highlights from the Palm Springs stop of the tour: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsvWhXqsGsE/

It was the turn of Isabeau Levito & Alissa Czisny to do the in studio appearance to publicize last night's show on KESQ News Channel 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrnHoWmr1xM

LOL at Kurt in the opening number in San Jose: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsvRSFSJYZl/
Same clip was tweeted as well: https://twitter.com/satsuki_n_55/status/1661021919356018697

Kurt commentates on Ilia's 4Lz before the Seattle show: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsoKafeL3fT/

Ilia reveals his favorite ride at Disneyland: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cst2AoHrOwc/

 

[love skating]

Nice blog post review of the Seattle show with pics here:

Stars on Ice at Climate Pledge Arena.

Figure Skating’s Elite Returned to the Deep.

comeasyouarehockey.com

And another review and pics of the Anaheim show - with a focus on Asian skaters as that is the website's focus:

Stars On Ice 2023 Shine in Anaheim - HYPNOTICASIA

Nathan Chen, Madison Chock and Satoko Miyahara participate in the 2023 tour for Stars On Ice which took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim!

www.hypnoticasia.com

 

[iluvfs]

Hi all! I'm new here. I'm a lifelong fan and will be seeing SOI in Boston on Saturday. I haven't seen the tour in several years, especially since it so rarely comes to NY now, but I'm traveling in just to see Kurt's final run. The last of my golden age favorites! Also love that we finally have an international cast again.

I was wondering if anyone had spare Meet & Greet tickets or knew someone who might. I'm on the Waitlist, but I don't think I'll get in. I've never done it, but I was really hoping to meet Kurt!

 

[Sylvia]

Welcome to FSU, @iluvfs - you can also post in the "Tickets for sale or wanted" thread that's pinned at the top of this forum: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/tickets-for-sale-or-wanted.83803/page-45

8 fan cams from the Seattle show:
Piper/Paul's Evita (full screen): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQbuQPpVTXY
Nathan's Hold Me Closer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HIcb42ozF8
Jason's Backstreet Boys medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ9Jt6Df94g
Satoko's Jenny of Oldstones (full screen): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQnOp2oVbIs
To Build a Home (full screen): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNNngbzZPZc
Loena's Loneliness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EUwzaxIFGY
James Bond medley (full screen): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt0abhG7pb8
Finale (skaters announced by name): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpr7CAcfHPI

Loena enjoying Palm Springs: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csy5eBbOJ6g/
Ditto Ilia: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csw6rMFrTw4/

ETA:

Piper with twin Alexe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CszbB4DPCE9/
Madi's pics: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cszt8c8RKRY/

 

[Sylvia]

Montage of 5/27 show clips tweeted by the arena in the Greater Palm Springs area: https://twitter.com/AcrisureArena/status/1663251738835701761

From Nathan's fan thread - from that 5/27 show:

Hold Me Closer
Pt 1 https://twitter.com/tsukianul/status/1663010587511775233
Pt 2 https://twitter.com/tsukianul/status/1663010764674969600

Mr Blue Sky

Stars on Ice 2023 / June 26 Nathan Chen / Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra

youtu.be

Satoko's highlights from...
Seattle: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs3yqmaOyv5/
Disneyland: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs3ziuOOtAW/
Downtown Palm Springs: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs30EGVOEU-/

Ilia's photos in downtown Chicago yesterday: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs2DtU3LzbE/

Jason promoting tonight's show in his hometown (edited to add - at the end he confirms he "will be competing a little bit more" ):

'Stars on Ice' comes to Allstate Arena tonight

Olympic bronze medalist and U.S. Champion Jason Brown previews the "Stars on Ice 2023 Tour" stop tonight at Allstate Arena.

www.fox32chicago.com

ETA link to Piper's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs4HtPfu5yN/

Can’t believe we get to perform in Chicago tonight! This is where I saw my first @starsonice show, watching skaters like Kurt Browning and Kristi Yamaguchi and now I get to be that skater out on the ice tonight. Words can not truly describe how proud that makes me feel. My dreams came true and I just hope we can inspire more to keep pushing toward their dreams.

 

[Sylvia]

Ilia's idea of "fun" in practice before the Chicago show: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs4yPXAv3Xy/

Satoko's Chicago pics: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs6TfiHu5rK/

Loena's photos at The Bean (her latest IG story shows the cast walking around Baltimore's Inner Harbor): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs6q1jFO_DA/

ETA:

Madi's Chicago photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs7ujbVL-DR/

 

[Debbie S]

Loena's photos at The Bean (her latest IG story shows the cast walking around Baltimore's Inner Harbor): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs6q1jFO_DA/

Fells Point, a bit east of the Inner Harbor. But it's on the water.

Excited to see the show Friday! Unfortunately, it looks like only about a third of the seats were sold, maybe a little more. I hope this won't be the only year we get the tour.

 

[Frau Muller]

Thanks for all reports & films! My husband & I are back home in Puerto Rico. Alas, missed the tours, so would greatly appreciate news about Ilia’s upcoming appearances in Baltimore (SOI, 6/2) and Leesburg (indep tour, 6/10). Best wishes to Ilia & all!

 

[Sylvia]

This "Skater Cam" by Jason covers Palm Springs, Chicago & Baltimore/D.C. yesterday (final 3 shows are this weekend): https://twitter.com/starsonice/status/1664680074052861954

Ilia made an local TV morning show appearance to promote the Baltimore show tonight:

See the "Stars on Ice" in Baltimore

The best of American figure skating will be on display throughout a three city tour.Happening here tonight you can see the "Stars on Ice" at the CFG Bank Arena.

foxbaltimore.com

"Know Before You Go" to the Baltimore arena: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs_UgtBMDN6/

Brandon has shared some of his favorite pics on tour: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs_0kKBLCxS/

 

[Debbie S]

Just got home from SOI. How nice to get home in 15 minutes and not an hour and a half. I hope the show comes back! Arena only about half full, though, maybe not quite. And it was a great show! Better than last year...the group numbers, the music, even the lighting. I felt like this year's group worked really well together.

My favorites were (of course ) Nathan, C/B and Jason. I also loved seeing Satoko on the tour, I always loved her skating. Loena was also a great addition...she was much more impressive live than on Peacock. Kurt was also great to see....watching the clips of his numbers from SOIs past brought back a lot of memories. He had a near-disastrous fall on a backflip at the end of his first solo number, landed forward on his stomach...I was worried he'd hit his nose/head. He got up and flashed a thumbs-up but still

K/F looked good, except for a fall by Alexa on a throw in their Separate Ways program, Brandon is so secure on the lifts....I hope they'll continue to do shows together. Ilia and Isabeau were only in the finale group number but did a great job with their solos. I hope Isabeau has had fun on the tour.

And that's the last elite skating I'll see live until SA....

 

[Yuri]

Also just back from Baltimore SOI, believe it or not the first time I have ever seen a Stars On Ice tour and my first ice show since Champions On Ice circa 1999-2000. I brought Mama Yuri with me and we both LOVED the show, especially the ensemble group numbers which were never a true feature of COI. Plus the pacing of the show such as skating order, music selections, costumes and the talking moments were all wonderfully done. It would be nice to see more and tougher jumps from many of the single skaters, but at least Nathan, Ilia and Loena tried a few. It was great seeing Alexa and Brandon for the first time together in person and it was a treat to see Madison and Evan perform their Let's Dance RD complete with the side-by-side twizzle sequences, just as I was convinced we wouldn't see a twizzle all night.

I am not sure they even filled half of the lower bowl and the entire upper bowl was closed off by curtains. I am sure that Baltimore's crime reputation doesn't help and even though I used to work in downtown for a couple decades, including directly across the street from the CFG Arena, I am not completely comfortable there either. Thank goodness Kurt's under-rotated back flip was the only scary moment of the evening... Our unexpected surprise was Piper and Paul's skating, especially their John Denver medley which closed with "Thank God I'm a Country Boy"! That's a very special song for Baltimore Orioles baseball fans as it's been played at the 7th inning stretch for close to 50 years now--I am sure they won over some new fans here tonight!

 

[Debbie S]

Forgot to add in my earlier post....looks like Scott Hamilton's adoption charity pitch just before intermission is going to be a regular thing. This year's was about 3 times longer than last year's. My mom and I went to the restroom when it started and stood outside waiting for a while afterward, Scott still talking. I get that Scott is a part-owner of the show and gets to do whatever he wants, but as I said last year, I find it inappropriate. People aren't at SOI to hear a charity pitch, esp one that has nothing to do with skating/the show. But it did allow my mom and I to avoid lines, so that was helpful.