Since I'm running a bit behind on getting my reviews done, I figured I would just combine the two shows :)
I really enjoyed the show this year. After seeing it in San Diego, I wasn't really sure what I thought about it but after seeing it again the next night in Anaheim, I decided that I really liked it. It is very different from last year's show so I think I was trying to compare the two and you really can't do that. I like how the theme runs throughout the show, even more than last year. The transition costumes and the big group number are all done in red and are much simpler than in the past. I don't think that San Diego was one of the best nights (according to Steven's journal, they didn't get in until 4 am so that might not have helped) but Anaheim ended up being a fabulous show. It probably didn't hurt that Scott Hamilton was center ice in Anaheim! Todd is very much highlighted in the show. Not only does he have the first and last solo of the show (Scott Hamilton's old spot) but he has a lot of highlights especially in the opening and transitions.
Now onto my review. I really love the opening this year to Willy Wonka. I think this is one of the best opening numbers I have seen at Stars in a long time. Todd starts off the show and pretty much brings the rest of the skaters to him. I was afraid that he wouldn't be in much of the opening considering he has the first solo but he pretty much does the entire opening. They spend a lot more time introducing the cast than in the past which gives Todd plenty of time to leave and catch his breath. There is a lot of things going on during the opening so it is hard to catch everything but Todd did a nice double axel and a fast scratch spin.
"Let Me Entertain You" was Todd's first solo. The number is a bit of a departure from his normal dramatic numbers but I liked it. I was truly surprised at how well he sold the program. My Mom even commented in Anaheim at how far Todd has come in his presence on the ice from when she last saw him in SOI two years ago. He would have never been able to pull this off then. In San Diego he did have a few jump problems. He land a double axel (I don't think he was attempting a triple), a triple toe and doubled the sal. His jumps didn't look real secure that night. In Anaheim, he had a much better time. He landed a triple axel but had to put a hand down, a triple toe and triple sal. I bet he was much happier with this performance. Todd really tried to play to the audience and it was a nice way to start off the show.
"Forevermore" is Todd's dramatic number that closes the show. This was more of the program you come to expect from Todd and he didn't disappoint. It always amazes me at how fast Todd skates and it was very evident in this program. Like his other number, he didn't have the best skate in San Diego. He once again only attempted a double axel but landed two triple toes and a triple sal. I'm not sure what happened in the final spin but something didn't go right and I don't think the program sold well. On the other hand, he had a spectacular skate in Anaheim. He landed everything including a gorgeous triple axel. He was on and totally sold the program which was great to see. He even got a standing ovation from Scott Hamilton and Jeff Billings which was nice.
This year, I was not too fond of the all boys number, TKO. It is hard not to compare it to the great ones from the last two years but this one lacked something. There are some neat tricks but it really just didn't do it for me. The number the boys do with Sarah was better but that program is meant to highlight her more than them. As sad as it is for me to admit it, I almost liked the all girls number better. It was very cute how the girls were dressed like the Stepford wives trying to get Steven's attention. I almost think it would have been better for him to stay out there the whole number, but overall I though it was well done.
I did like the all cast group number that closes the first half. It is nothing like TGIF from last year so once you get past that, you will be fine. The cast starts out like they are on a rollercoaster and that idea goes through the entire number. While some skaters are performing to their piece, the other ones goes around the rink as if they were still on the rollercoaster. I really never was sure what to be watching. Todd skates a piece called "Behind Blue Eyes" with David and Anton. David and Anton do a couple of lifts with Todd which were cool. The number ends with the cast bringing out red umbrellas as it starts to rain. Each cast member has an umbrella except for John and Kyoko. They do some neat lifts while getting drenched in the rain and the number ends with Kyoko being lifted up in a totally different costume. It was very neat.
All the transition numbers are good this year but my favorite has to be the singing flea tenor bit. It is very funny. I was surprised at how animated Todd was in it plus David Pelletier was hysterical during the funeral procession pretending like he was sobbing. In Anaheim, there was one very funny transition mishap. Yuka and Anton were doing a pull the red scarf out of her costume bit and Anton was supposed to keep pulling so that he went into the tunnel and Steven Cousins came back out holding the scarf. Well, somehow the scarf broke as Anton was leaving so Steven just came out on his own holding onto that part of the scarf. He and Yuka just played around and ended up wrapping the scarf around her as she went back into the tunnel. I'm not sure how many people caught that this wasn't supposed to happen. They really did the best they could to cover it up!
For the rest of the show, I would have to say that I have a few favorite numbers. Jamie and David's "Who wants to live forever" number was fabulous. I was thrilled to finally get to see it live and they didn't disappoint. They even have new stunning costumes which are much better than what they used last season. They were the other number that received a Scott Hamilton standing ovation in Anaheim. I also really liked John and Kyoko's program, "Harder to Breathe." They have some awesome tricks in this programs and anytime you get to see John in leather pants isn't bad either. It was great to see Steven Cousins get to do a serious number this year and he is skating great. He has really worked hard to get his jumps back and I'm thrilled that SOI decided to bring him back on tour. My friend and I did agree that having him start the number without his shirt was also a nice perk! Yuka's "Amazing Grace" number was beautiful as was as Elena and Anton's Michael Bolton number.
My biggest disappointment (and I'm sad to admit this) was Kurt Browning. I love and adore Kurt, but I didn't like his two toy box numbers. Kurt is a better skater than this. One program might have been OK, but two was way to much. I'm hoping this will change when I see the show in Canada. The response from the crowd was definitely luke warm so hopefully something will change. The other disappointment was Sarah Hughes. The poor girl is barely getting any height on just her double jumps and I don't think her basic skills are nearly what they used to be.
I think that is pretty much everything. Overall, I really like the show this year. There is a nice balance between the dramatic and upbeat numbers in each half of the show so it doesn't seem to drag. I was glad I got to see the show twice because there is so much you miss the first time that you almost need to see it again. I really think that this current cast has proven that they can hold their own now and that they really no longer need to have older name skaters brought in to help save the show. Plus I'm pleased to see that SOI is finally starting to realize that just because you don't have an Olympic medal doesn't mean you can't hold the show. I think Todd does a great job with what they have given him and I'm sure the show will only get better the more shows they do. I can't wait to see it again in Canada!
