STN - Red Deer, Alberta
May 20, 1998
By Lee
Hmmm....my second ice show in as many weeks. This time, I took Kenn (gotta be 'fair' to these kids, ya know). He was pretty excited about the idea of seeing Kurt Browning, and seemed really happy to find out our 'on-ice' seats weren't really *on* the ice -- that we actually had chairs. ;-) As with my SOI report, I didn't get a program, so my comments will be somewhat 'hit-and-miss'...
The Red Deer Centrium seats, oh, I don't know...maybe 9 or 10 thousand. The upper level just goes along both sides of the ice. At the skater's entrance end, the lower level was all curtained off, and the only seats at that 'end' of the ice were the 5 on each side of the skaters' entrance. So there were 10 people, plus the three guys working the light board on our side. The arena was nowhere NEAR being filled -- perhaps the first two or three rows of the second level had people sitting there, and I noticed a block of seats at the other end, on the main level, that was empty. (Just a thought -- SOI had been in Edmonton and Calgary less than two weeks before; perhaps many Central Alberta people went to one of those two shows instead of going to STN). It does make me wonder whether or not STN will continue to come to Red Deer each year.
The cast for the Red Deer show included: Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Josee Chouinard, Kristi Sargeant/Kris Wirtz, Michelle Menzies/Jean-Michel Bombardier, Michelle McDonald/Martin Smith (former Cdn dance champions), Elizabeth Manley, Jayson Denommee (placed 5th in Senior Men at Canadians in January), and the 'honourary' Canadian, Steven Cousins.
The show started with 'Get the Led Out' from SOI. I really enjoy the music here and Kenn was funny -- he said, 'they've got too much bass!' Hilarious, coming from an almost-12-year-old who loves to blast me out with HIS music at home! He picked Kurt out right away, and he was TOO impressed with Kurt and the hockey skates. I can see it all now -- Kenn will be at hockey camp this summer, trying to do some of that stuff! ;-)
The pairs teams were both excellent in Red Deer. Menzies and Bombardier skated really well (but like S/W, left out any side-by-side jumps or spins). I really enjoyed their performance to 'Jimmy Ray' -- Jean-Michel looked like he was really getting 'down & dirty' -- had an orange (?) patterned, short-sleeved, shirt and 'shades' on. I think these two just might do okay as professionals -- their lifts were good, speed was nice and they did some nice throw jumps.
Sargeant and Wirtz just keep looking better and better to me (btw, Kenn said that Kristi's 'pretty cute' ;-) Their throw double axels were just HUGE, and Kristi looked solid like a rock on the landings. Great lifts and death spirals...things are looking good for next year!
Jayson Denommee was not too bad. Have to admit, this kid has great 'recovery' on falls. In his first number (something called 'Jukebox' -- a medley of songs joined by sounds of skipping records, thumping on the side of the jukebox, etc), he did a 3-axel, but had to put his free foot down on the landing. Somehow he still ended up going over onto his butt. No big deal -- he just did a back roll, popped up to his feet and kept going. The crowd loved it! In his second number, he fell again on the 3-axel, but kinda of slid in a circle on his knees and popped right back up again! This kid's gonna be okay. I talked to someone who saw the Lethbridge show, and they said he had stars in his eyes that night, he looked so excited. Well, he seems to have settled down a bit -- I think this tour experience will do him the world of good for next year!
McDonald and Smith were good...speed and stuff...unique lifts. They're first program to "Crush" had a real 'edge' to it. Was a little surprised at the choice of music, but it seemed to work. Second program was not quite as 'edgy'...it was nice.
Liz Manley still skates like she's on fire. No triples in evidence, but that's okay. She's one of those skaters who, for me, doesn't need to do triples. Her first program to 'Fly' by Celine Dion was beautiful. She's always been such an expressive skater when doing 'slow' numbers. Her second program, to 'Proud Mary' (Tina Turner?) was 'classic Liz.' A ton energy and getting the crowd involved.
Brian Orser did both his numbers from SOI...not much change there. The crowd appreciates him and gives him his 'due.'
Josee had a good night...no falls. The 'cat-calls' during "Too Much" were considerable. Kenn thinks she's pretty cute...;-) Interesting point here...because of the seating arrangements I'd mentioned earlier, the skaters only did their bows to three sides...kept leaving us out. However, when Kurt and Josee finished the Elvis medley, they turned to use between the two sides and bowed. We responded accordingly -- and the three guys at the light board helped us out. Of all the skaters, Kurt and Josee were the only ones who acknowledged our end of the rink -- we appreciated it! Josee even waved at us after 'The Sweater!' She had a good skate to this number. Kept my fingers crossed when she set up for the lutz -- I 'think' she did a triple, but on retrospect, I'm not quite sure. It was a clean jump though! The lyrics came across quite well in the Centrium, and I think the crowd 'got' it...quite a few chuckles throughout.
Steven Cousins was a crowd favourite...especially as a Muse. He did a new number in STN to 'Belfast Boys'...very 'elegant.' He wore green 'velvet' pants and a white, satiny, flowy shirt (wonder how much influence Riverdance had on HIM, eh? ;-) Steven had a good night with the triple lutz too, unlike at SOI in Edmonton. I can't recall a triple axel, but everything else looked good. It was a nice program for him.
Kurt got the best reception of the night...of course. Caroline is less than an hour from Red Deer, and the Browning clan seemed to be out in full force in one section of the arena. "Are You Lonesome Tonight" was flawless -- this program grows on me the more I see it. As in SOI, "Antares" was the last 'cold spot' The crowd ate it up! None of the problems that showed in Edmonton. Kurt looked very comfortable out there. He did the first 2-axel down at our end -- the height he gets on that jump just never ceases to amaze me! Triple toe-triple toe at the other end and the 3-sal out of the spread eagle was gorgeous. Had a miscue on the solo triple toe, and saved himself from landing in the laps of the people in front of him -- the crowd applauded anyways :-) No problems with footwork, didn't get over-excited on the spiral, and the spread eagle around the sides of the rink is to die for. Kurt received the first standing ovation of the night...the second was at the finale.
The finale was the same as SOI...same costumes. I LOVE those dresses! Apparently, two little girls sitting just around the corner from us, had a sign that said, "Steven Cousins is my daddy." I didn't see the sign, and couldn't figure out why, the sound guys were killing themselves laughing, and why Steven kept turning around and laughing. Just before the final bow, near the skaters' entrance, one of the sound guys went and got the two little girls (looked to be around 5 and 7 -- something like that), and brought them over to the 'gate.' After the lights went out and the rest of the skaters were gone, Steven stayed there, and the sound guys took pictures of him with the two little girls. Steven had a smile on his face a mile wide, and of course the girls were absolutely awestruck. I thought it was a really cute moment.
During the part where Kurt grabs the mike, he hollered out, 'Central Alberta!!!!' This is home!' He went on to say something about going home for a good, home-cooked meal that day. He was definitely the 'hometown' boy...probably more so than anywhere else on the tour. It was good to see him looking happy and satisfied with the way things had gone.
No handshakes on our end tonight. Steven was near our corner but didn't have time to get to us. Kenn was disappointed, but even more disappointed that he didn't get to meet Kurt, almost to the point of tears. He said, 'But Kurt's my favourite skater!!!' I tried to console him -- he'd never been to an ice show before, and just doesn't 'understand.' I don't know how much last night will affect Kenn's decision to 'try' skating (only one night a week, just to help my hockey, you know!) next year, but Kurt definitely has a hockey-playing little boy as a huge fan right now...I'm glad I took him.
Overall, it was a good show, but I have to say I enjoyed SOI more this year. Last year, STN included at least one of the 'humourous' ensemble numbers, but didn't this year. Would've liked to have seen Kris Wirtz as the 'coach' in 'Fun & Games'....that would've been a hoot! Ah, well....now I have a year to wait until SOI and STN come back to my neck of the woods. Back to the TV I go...