Now that I have finally had a good night sleep, I can actually try and write up a review on the Toronto/Hamilton CSOI shows I went to over the weekend. After having major skating burnout after attending Nationals this year, I was very excited to see who live skating again. Plus I got to see Todd since he joined SOI after it came out my way! Let me first start out by saying I was a bit disappointed in the show itself since I was hoping it was going to be a lot different from the US show. I also do believe Todd got shafted in this show by not getting to do any group numbers, but I guess this was a Canadian skater show. But after saying that, the skaters themselves were great and it was really to see Todd skate again.

Since Hoo already did a review of the Toronto show, I won't go into detail on that show. Todd was great and got a fairly good response. Your Song got a much bigger response than LOTR, but both were good. The audience itself was fairly dull which was a shock to me, I thought all Canadian audiences were enthusiastic! There were a few skaters who seemed to have an off night and some of the group numbers were a bit out of sync. Kristi had a great night landing all of her triples and you could tell she was pleased with that. I did have the pleasure of sitting a few rows back from Richard Callaghan which made it fun to see the interaction between he and Todd during the show. Some of faces Todd made were very funny. The best part is Todd had to move the vanity mirror to the end of the rink which meant he stopped right in front of Richard. The smirk Todd had as he did it was priceless.

After the show, I was lucky enough to attend the reception that was being held at the hotel down the street. I have been to few COI receptions but this one was much nicer plus it was held in a large ballroom that had plenty of room to move around. I had a chance to talk with Todd and Richard as well as I got the chance to meet Richard's wife and sister and had a nice conversation with them. I can say that this is the most relaxed and happy I have seen Todd in a long time and even though I wasn't so sure about him joining SOI, I can see he is happy so that is worth a lot. I also had the chance to talk with Kurt Browning, who is such a sweet guy. A few of us talked with him about his Gotta Dance special from last year and about the one coming up this year. We mentioned it would be fun to see Todd in that show but he said they wouldn't have enough money to get him Later when leaving Hamilton, they handed out fliers about the show and we saw that Scott Hamilton was in the cast so that explains that comment! Thanks to Hoo, I was also introduced to Brian Orser who was also very nice. I have always been a fan of his skating so that was very cool. I had a really great time and it was fun to interact with skaters you normally don't get the chance to.

On to Hamilton. This show was much better than the night before. It might have been because the cast had a dress rehearsal earlier in the day since this was the show being taped for TV, who knows but the show just looked much cleaner. Plus this time my seats were dead center so I got a different view. Todd had a really great night. The opening of the show was the same as the US show and Todd was wearing the red leather pants. I thought it was well choreographed because they had Todd enter with Yagudin after some of the dancing took place. Since Todd doesn't have the best rhythm when it comes to dancing, I thought this worked out well. Todd Sand and Lloyd looked very uncomfortable with it so I was glad to see Todd not there. Todd was partnered with Kristi for the rest of the opening and I thought they worked well together. Since he is very comfortable with her, she made him look good. Todd spent a lot of time in front of our section so we had to make sure we controlled our laughter a few times but overall Todd did a good job with what he was given!

Todd's first number was LOTR and it was the best I have seen him skate it since Nationals. He landed all of his triples including two triple axels. Kellie and I thought for sure he would get a big standing ovation, but after we stood up we noticed we were the only ones in our section. When looking around the arena, you could see the only other people standing were us Todd fans. I laughed that at least I knew where everyone was sitting now Todd just kind of smiled as us as he took his bows but I'm sure he noticed the same thing. I really don't getting Canadian audiences after this trip. Todd can skated wonderfully and not get a standing ovation and other Canadian skaters can skate horribly and bring the house down. Makes no sense to me. Don't get me wrong, Todd did get a warm reception before and after he skated, but just not what I have come to expect from Canadian audiences for a great perfomance.

Todd's next number was Your song. I have to admit this number has grown on me over the past season and Todd did a wonderful job with it that night. His only mistake was a double loop but it was just so cute to see Todd grinning ear to ear throughout the entire performance. I don't know the last time I have seen Todd skate with that big of a smile. You can really see how relaxed and happy he is in this program. Todd did get a bigger ovation and it was more like a handful of people standing than just us 6 edgers.

Todd had a bigger role in the finale and he did a really good job with it. You really notice how fast Todd skates when you put other people around him and he has to put on the breaks as not to run the other skaters over. The other very noticeable part is since Todd jumps and spins in the opposite direction, he spent a lot of time alone in the finale going in the opposite direction of the entire cast when they did any kind of jumps!

Todd didn't do any retakes after the show. I thought he may try the loop again but we later found out they just wanted to get going out of Hamilton after the show and it was a very minor mistake. Kurt Browning on the other hand had a horrible time during his Elevation number. He must have fallen on every jump he tried and we later found out it was because of a broken lace. He finally gave up the last few seconds and just stood there with his shirt over his head. (and of course got a huge standing ovation for it ) So during retakes, Kurt had to do the whole program over and he was really tired by the end. He was very funny in explaining to the audience that we were all in his worst nightmare and he said his advice to young skaters was you skate much better when you lace is tied.

I think that is about it. I have to say Todd was the highlight of both shows for me as were Bourne and Kratz. Their new number is incredible and I like the show version of their Michael Jackson free dance. Kurt and Brian were great as usual and it was nice to see Yagudin's short program again. The skaters I was most disappointed in were Brasseur and Eisler. The first program was flat and showed how weak they have gotten in terms of skating. The second program were Lloyd is the women was better since it was all tricks. During all the group number, Isabelle looked like a deer caught in the headlights and was always behind the other skaters. I was almost embarrassed for her. But overall it was a good show, much better than the US but still very lacking. I'm really looking forward to seeing how next years show turns out when they finally have a full cast and hopefully Todd was be included much more in the show!

--Leanne
LeanneY@aol.com