Review by Marilyn:

I was able to attend the StarSkates Salute last night and I had a terrific time! The unique and, in Barry's words "quirky", songs that were used showed a tremendous knowledge of Barry's entire catalogue -- thanks, it seems, to Robin Cousins.

    After the show ended, I finally found a copy of the printed program. But when I saw it, I decided that I was extremely grateful that I *hadn't* had one during the show. One of the most fun parts of the evening was guessing which (often little-heard) song was beginning. ("I can name that tune -- SWING STREET!! -- in two great opening chords!")  Also, if I had been trying to follow the printed songlist, I would have been frustrated. It is VERY inaccurate. The second number wasn't "Daybreak" -- which was at the end of the show in Barry's live set -- it was "Come Dance With Me, Come Fly With Me" -- and from then on, things were scrambled from what was written. For instance, "Big City Blues" was never done; Avenue C" was. Most of the first act was really in the second . . . Hmmmmm, I wonder if the playlist was really just "tossed," or if it will be the way it appears on TV. . .

   The skaters' styles and the music were matched very, very well. Kristi Yamaguchi was just adorable skating to Barry's (live) "You Make Me Feel So Young". "Let Me Be Your Wings" (from the "Thumbelina" soundtrack") was breathtaking as a pairs number.

   I'll be anxious to see Barry on TV since I certainly wasn't very close to him. We were all separated at least somewhat by the ice -- and me more than many . . . He certainly SOUNDED great. And I loved his slight lyrics changes for the circumstances ("Kristi makes me feel so young . . . "). I also loved that he would interject exclamations of approval when the skaters would do something spectacular. None of the band was there -- the music was prerecorded, with Barry's live vocals done to minus-tracks, I assume.

   Two of the most touching moments for me were the beginning and concluding numbers. (. . . not to be confused with the finale, which was "Copacabana." And for THAT one, I'll be curious to see --- up close on the TV cameras -- how Barry seems to be handling dancing among the skaters as they all "jived" together on stage . . . He often seems so awkward in a crowd . . . tee hee . . . )

The opening number was "One Voice," with a solitary opening skater being joined by the others as the song progressed. Really cool . . . And the concluding number was "Where Does the Time Go," with the skaters each taking a separate spot on the ice and facing Barry in a touching "salute" to him and the music of the evening. Very, very moving.

The rest . . . well, I certainly hope you get to see it all for yourself. I thrilled at the skating. It's the best music in the world. Two great art forms together.

Review by Karen:

The songs and performers were as follows:

One Voice                           Full Company
Daybreak                            Alexi Yagudin
All The Time                      Denise Biellmann
Let's Hang On                     Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze
Swing Street                       Philippe Candeloro
Man Wanted                       Caryn Kadavy
Dancing Fool                      Elvis Stojko
Somewhere In The Night    Oksana Kazakova & Arthur Dmitriev
You Make Me Feel So Young  Kristi Yamaguchi  (Barry sang this one live)

INTERMISSION

Gonzo Hits Medley              Full Company
Jump Shout Boogie              Denise Biellmann
Soon                                    Alexei Yagudin
Black and Blue                    Oksana & Arthur
Hey Mambo                         Elvis Stojko
Let Me Be Your Wings        Elena & Anton
Can't Smile                          Kristi Yamaguchi
I'm Your Man                      Philippe Candeloro
Where Does The Time Go  Full Company (Barry sang this one live, too)
Copacabana                        Full Company (skate-off, Barry singing again)

It was a cute production all the way around.  You guys are just gonna LOVE it when it airs!