An Appreciation of Ice Theatre
Philadelphia Skating Club's annual Gala and Exhibition featured a wonderful array of artistic skating programs.
This past Friday, I was in Boston for the Boston Open, a National Qualifying Series event in which two-time U.S. national champion Bradie Tennell happened to be skating. As it turns out, she was in the event because she’d changed her short program for this season, and this was an opportunity to skate it before heading to Skate Canada at the end of the month.
It also turns out that I kind of broke the news of this switch when I posted the video of her program on Instagram on Friday night. Immediately people were asking me if I would be able to post video of her free skate on Saturday. Sadly for them, I had to say I couldn’t. Because I already had skating plans. (Here’s where I remind everyone that despite the existence of this site, I’m not really a skating journalist, just a fan who appreciates all forms of the sport and shares my thoughts when appropriate. If I was a skating journalist, I absolutely would have stayed in Boston for Saturday; I also would have been credentialed for the event instead of buying a ticket.)
Those plans, which I made a few weeks ago, were to attend Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society’s annual gala and exhibition (well, the exhibition part — I didn’t spring for the gala). Why attend this instead of a competition? Well, for me, skating is about a lot more than competitions. And I find one of the most underappreciated forms of skating is ice theatre, which was on full display at this event.
While there were competition programs skated Saturday night by both singles skaters and ice dance teams (which I’m sure I’ll eventually share in full on Instagram), I wanted to focus on the four ice theatre groups who were in attendance showing off some of their artistic programs, starting with a program I’ve been obsessed with since first seeing it in March.
Ice Dance International
Reflections - Alissa Czisny and Kseniya Ponomaryova
When I saw this program at IDI’s “SOAR,” it was skated by Czisny and Gabriella Papadakis, but it’s no less beautiful with Ponomaryova stepping in. The choreography by Benoît Richaud is so moving, and there’s an incredible beauty in seeing two women skate together like this.
After the Rain - Robin Johnstone, Kseniya Ponomaryova and Andy Buchanan
This was my first time seeing this program, and I was immediately obsessed. I have the ice dance novel “The Favorites” on the mind, in part because the paperback release with new bonus material was this week (oh, and in part because — TEASER — I have something special coming next month related to The Favorites), but I couldn’t help but think about Katarina Shaw, Heath Rocha and Bella Lin watching this program, choreographed by Douglas Webster. If you’ve read the novel, you’ll see what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t read the novel, OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?
Ice Theatre of New York
La Revolte Des Enfants - Sarah Baetge, Ale Izquierdo and Libby McGrosky
This program, in which the three skaters are joined together by their costumes, is so incredibly impressive. The choreography by Alberto Del Saz plays with the space between them, bringing them together and pulling them apart as far as their costumes will let them go throughout the performance.
Once Again - Sarah France and Aaron Singletary
Funny story, this program got off to a false start due to what I assume was a music issue. But once it started, it was incredible. The choreography by Heather Harrington tells such a beautiful story. Oh, and speaking of beautiful, shoutout to Sarah France; I’ll always have extra appreciation for a skater with visible tattoos (if my skating skills ever get to the point where I can, you know, actually skate, I definitely want to go out there at least once with all my tattoos on display).
Arctic Memory - Valerie Levine
Choreographed by Jody Sperling, this program has lived rent free in my head since seeing it back in May. I’m so glad I was able to see it unobstructed on Saturday; while I love the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, the glass along the boards makes for a less-than-ideal viewing experience. The way Valerie Levine moves on the ice really has to be seen in person to be appreciated (she also works as a dancer, and you can see it in the way she skates).
Timelessness - Danil Berdnikov and Liz Yoshiko Schmidt
Everything I’ve ever seen choreographed by Lorna Brown has been so impressive, and this program was no exception. “Longtime” readers of this site (which has been around for all of three months) might recognize the name Liz Yoshiko Schmidt; she was one of the skaters mentioned by Annika Swalley as someone she looks up to, and watching her skate, it’s easy to see why.
American Ice Theatre
Nocturne - Garrett Kling and Lauren Gizinski
I saw this back in June at AIT’s showcase event, and it was great to see it again (and unobstructed by glass). Garrett Kling, the co-executive director of AIT, did the choreography for this piece, and skates it so well.
Dancin’ People - Jimmy Morgan, Toby Evett, Natalie Schoonover, Cheri Donnelly, Zoey Janusz, Natalie Robb, Dawn Dupere, Alexa DerBoghosian, Sadie Lee
These large group numbers are a staple of AIT performances, and this one really captivated me — and not just because of the starting positions of the skaters right up against the crowd (though that was certainly fun). It’s incredible to see so many skaters sharing the ice and creating something so beautiful. I think it’s one of the reasons I love Disney on Ice so much.
re:member - Jeremy Abbott
On the flip side, Theatre on Ice can also just be one person making art. In this case, it’s former four-time U.S. national champion Jeremy Abbott, skating a wonderful piece choreographed by Elise Little. Abbott seems to skate this program with so much joy; it’s fun to see a former competitive skater finding a new home in the world of artistic skating.
un:learning - Garrett Kling, Jeremy Abbott, Jimmy Morgan, Vlad Tchernov, Jacqueline Benson, Nora Klein, Gillian Robidas, Cameron Claire
This was a new AIT piece, and it came together so nicely. The colorful costumes stand out against the white ice, and the playful choreography by Kate McSwain and Garrett Kling really turns the whole thing into a true performance. I know every figure skating program starts with a “starting position,” but AIT skaters and choreographers are always so creative with how their programs start, and this is no exception.
Related: on Sunday, the day after the exhibition, there were seminars hosted by PSC. AIT has these throughout the year; one of my goals in my personal skating is to be able to eventually attend one of these on the ice without completely embarrassing myself. It might be years away, but it’s something to work towards.
The Next Ice Age
Autumn - Julia Choi, Ian Lorello, Laura Seal
While I’d seen IDI, ITNY and AIT before, this was my first time seeing a performance by The Next Ice Age — I wasn’t able to make it down to Ocean City, Md. for their residency this summer — but it was not my first time seeing these three skate. Julia Choi, Ian Lorello and Laura Seal are all Disney on Ice skaters who I’ve had the pleasure of seeing multiple times before on “Into the Magic” (Ian and Laura were actually the hosts for one of the shows I saw in January, and again in April). And they skate this program, choreographed by Nathan Birch, so beautifully.
Waiting - Alissa Czisny
Another solo program, skated by Czisny, another former U.S. national champion who has found a home in theatre on ice. Not only is she a majestic skater, she’s also incredibly nice. I had the pleasure of meeting her at IDI’s 10th anniversary gala back in March, and she encouraged me to start my own skating journey.
If you happen to be in the area of a show put on by one of these groups, or any theatre on ice troupe, I highly recommend attending. I’m looking to see if I can attend U.S. Figure Skating’s Theatre On Ice national championships at the end of the season, though it might be tough with my actual day job. Still, I’m sure I’ll be at more IDI, ITNY, AIT and NIA shows sooner rather than later.
We would love for you to join us at a seminar!!!