I won't do a blow by blow by blow account like others because I'm definitely not a note taker and many have already reported on the other numbers in this years SOI.
The lower bowl was filled in Cleveland due to Smuckers and IMG people sitting around me and in at least three of the lower sections. They were having a party after the show last night sponsored by Smuckers. Both are based in the Cleveland area. The second level was about one-third full and there was even some people in the upper decks. Actually I think it was better attended than Scott's Cancer Fundraiser.
Sylvia Fontana, John Zimmerman's fiancee, was sitting across the aisle from me. I just wanted to tell her that she was one of the luckiest woman on the face of the earth. I watched her throughout the cowboy number and she was beaming the whole time. However it was David Pelletier who was doing his thing in front of our section and not John. Not to bad!
Yes, Todd stood up after his first opening jump when the spotlight was on him but unfortunately it was a huge waxel. He didn't look upset though and later in the opening he did one of the fastest scratch spins I ever seen him do. That's saying a lot since I have been closely watching Todd skate since 1990.
At one point in the opening he almost fell big time into Kurt but caught himself so quickly that even he was surprised. The look on Kurt's face was priceless. You can really see the speed across the ice that Todd, Kurt and Alexei have in their crossovers. They could really leave everybody else behind if they wished.
One quick world about Alexei before I continue with Todd. He hit all of his jumps. Granted he didn't do a quad or a lutz but he hit a triple-triple-double so hopefully his hip is feeling better. He did do the three individual numbers last night and really looked great. Kurt also was on last night and the "Slippery" number is really a true work of comedic art.
I am confessing to an "almost 50 brain fart" and cannot remember which number Todd only doubled the loop. It really didn't matter because he hit everything else perfectly in both numbers. Channel 1 Suite was great but I thought it had somewhat more "oomph" when I saw it live at Hallmark. He threw a beautiful triple axel at the beginning and the spins and footwork where terrific. I like this number because it shows a different side to Todd.
He looked great during the pairs number and didn't miss a word of his lip-synched speech. No reaction about the "naked in the spotlight" comment from the audience so I held my tongue also. I don't have a clue what the pairs did in this number but Todd looked terrific with the all black look and the pairs in the beautiful blue tones. He thorough a nice triple holding the microphone too!
Todd looked absolutely stunning performing "Misere." He hit his jumps and the triple axel and triple lutz were effortless. It was the only lutz of the night by any of the skaters. His spins were really centered last night also. I noticed at Hallmark that he was traveling alittle but not last night. They were centered and fast, fast, fast.
The finale was a lot of fun and Todd didn't miss a beat. Actually after remembering his moves from the early 1990s in Les Mis and other numbers, I was dumbfounded to believe that he is the same guy performing. He can even "shimmy" great now. He didn't miss a step and at the end pointed directly toward my section so I knew the trip to Cleveland was worth it.
All in all it was a much better show than last year when I saw Todd after he joined the show in Buffalo. I loved them featuring the men and pairs. It truly was powerful. BTW, Todd had a very good hair night. It looked like it had been recently cut.
