I flew to Las Vegas to attend the show with my friends Sharon and Suzan from San Diego, CA.

Our seats were wonderful... just about 10 rows from the ice, near the stage and where the skaters enter the ice.  While Suzan went in search of some programs (they had run out!), the director asked the audience to 'practice' clapping and showing our appreciation for the skaters.  Naturally we had to do this a few times, until we got it 'right'.  A camera was on our section the whole time!  We were also near to where the press was sitting.  The coach of the Russian pair teams sat in front of us, to our right, and Surya Bonaly and her mom were in the first row of our section.  While the venue was not sold-out, the main sections near the ice were full.  It was a very enthusiastic crowd - split maybe 50/50 - 50% there for Barry, 50% there for skating.

Skating events / competitions usually start relatively on time, but we had the Manilow factor.  Hee.  So we got underway about 10 minutes late, or about 8:10 p.m.  As I said, right on time.  Hee.  Usually skating shows begin with all the skaters coming out and doing a quick skate onto the ice and a little move of some sort.  One of the songs we thought would be perfect for the end of the show was "One Voice".  Well, it was the start of the show.  WOW.  After we got to see all the skaters that would be performing for us, Barry came out on the little stage (wearing a greyish suit over black pants) to say hello.  He was welcomed warmly, esp. by us fans (which I assume like us were standing).  For a change I don't remember exactly what Barry said (thank goodness this will air on NBC - 10/23). Barry probably said something about this skating tribute being an honor, then said he would return and then he asked "Alexei" to start things off. What was neat about this show, was trying to figure out what song would be coming up next.  You'd see the next skater standing there and you'd wonder what will start playing.  It was SO neat to have the skater just stand on the ice, waiting for the music, and then the music would start playing and the audience would recognize the song.

I will note here, being a skating fan and all, that any time Kristi Yamaguchi is the headliner, the show will include the "A" list of figure skaters.  This show was no exception.  It was a great blend of both pro (ineligible) and amateur (eligible) skaters.  Many are my personal favorites.  And anything that Robin Cousins is a part of, is top notch and very professional.  I honestly didn't know what to expect out there on the ice.  But I don't think the skating fans or the Manilow fans were disappointed.

Also, even though the skaters came out in a certain order, that doesn't mean that it will be shown on TV in that particular order or that all the performances will make it past the editing room floor.  The first act only had 8 single routines (lasting about 35 minutes) after the opening number. The music seemed to be slowed down a bit also.  The first act also had more of the greatest hits, familiar tunes.  In the LV Review-Journal interview with Barry about this show, Barry noted that they would be doing skating routines to "quirky cuts from the albums".  So, apparently the "quirky" songs were saved for the second act.  Keep in mind that it's still early in
the skating season, especially for the amateurs.  Naturally the skaters incorporated some of the moves they are more familiar / comfortable with into their routines.  Also, it was the first ever StarSkates, so it was a groundbreaking event of sorts.  And it went on with hardly any glitches.

Highlights for me in the first act included "CIBM" [Could It Be Magic?] interpreted on the ice by Caryn Kadavy (from Erie, PA!)  I guess it was kind of like having a fantasy fulfilled right before my eyes.  That is the one song I have always thought was made for a figure skating routine.  But I couldn't imagine anyone bold enough to attempt it.  It's not a simple song.  But when Caryn stood there in the middle of the ice, wearing a gorgeous blue dress and I heard that first piano note, I was just in awe.  Then it ended up being the uptempo version.  What a challenge that had to be for Caryn.  She's always been one of my favorite skaters to watch.  She is so elegant, yet athletic - a perfect skating package in my opinion.  It was such a lovely routine.  Very well done.

Then there is Philippe Candeloro.  Making his 'entrance' to our left, one section over, in the seats - after letting a man in the audience pass him by - he came onto the ice to do "Hey Mambo".  Philippe fell near the end, but made it part of the act (good save).  Oksana fell after being thrown by Artur during their routine to "SITN" [Somewhere In The Night] (which would result in a retake after the show!).  While Elvis Stojko did "Swing Street".  (We think the "Swing Street" album had to be one of Robin's favorites).  Most of the songs selected seemed suited to each skater's style - for example; allowing Denise to do her "Biellmann spin", while the Russian's could to be more classical,
etc.

In a way, we were lucky we did not see an actual program until after the first act, as the skate order and the songs was totally inaccurate.  In fact Michael Weiss was not there to skate "Soon".  Robin Cousins was scheduled to do "Black & Blue" according to the program and unfortunately did not skate either.  And for good measure, the program listing was out of order, some of the songs were listed with a different skater not to mention the typos....but other than that it was worth the price (free).  As a consolation, it did have nice color photos!

The intermission is usually about 15 minutes or so, for the zamboni to clean the ice.  Before and after the zamboni made its rounds, the NBC announcer was on the ice near the stage taping his report for the program.  You could not hear him.  But it seemed to take forever.  The audience got antsy.  We started clapping (Sharon I think suggested starting "the wave") and making
noise.  The director tried to quiet us all down, asking for our patience. Robin Cousins even came over the announcing system to say hello and told us more about the upcoming StarSkates, etc.  While looking around the arena we noticed Mad Man Mickey on the opposite end of the ice from the stage, sitting in the chairs that were literally on the ice.  He had on a white suit and was using a cane.  We also identified Garry Kief and probably other 'BMIFC' [Barry Manilow International Fan Club] family members with their young children.

In the second act, the pace seemed to pick up.  How can it not, when it starts out with the Gonzo Hits Medley from the Live on Broadway CD, giving each of the skaters a chance to come out and show us their stuff again.  I decided to take notes on the songs they were skating to - the medley was hard to keep track of - and it was hard to write and take photos and watch everything going on.  But at that point we didn't know if we'd even get a program, so I wanted to try to remember what songs were used.

Denise Biellmann started act two with one of those "quirky" album cuts doing an "Avenue C/Jump Shout Boogie" medley.  Somewhere during Denise's routine, Sharon noticed Barry and Robin (Cousins) sitting in the front row of those chairs at the other end of the ice, where we had just noticed Mad Man Mickey.  Oh my!  The dilemma started.  Who do I watch, the skaters or
Barry?!  I was afraid this was going to happen.  Barry seemed happy to be there.  Denise played to him a bit.  It's like OMG, HE's sitting there watching the skating (wonder what he's thinking about this tribute???).  So, I would always sneak a look sideways when a skater was on the ice to see what Barry was doing.  Mostly he seemed to be clapping along and enjoying the performances like the rest of us.  Now every time we heard a song, we'd turn to each other and say "quirky" album cut.  Sharon felt that Alexei's routine to "Soon" (sung by Michael Feinstein) deserved a standing ovation - it was that spectacular.  We thought "Black and Blue" performed by Oksana & Artur was definitely a "quirky" choice.  I thought it was a wonderful routine.  Elvis did a great job with "Dancin' Fool" from the London cast recording of "Copa".  Elvis' forte is uptempo (rock and roll) type numbers. Barry and Robin left their seats and Elena and Anton skated to the Thumbelina soundtrack version of "Let Me Be Your Wings".  We knew the perfect song for Philippe for his second routine would be "IYM" [I'm Your Man].  Even though it was more drama than skating, it's what Philippe does best.  When the shirt came off, we noticed a tattoo on his back.  After closer observation, we saw it was a STAR (StarSkates logo) with the word MANILOW under it.  Philippe is just way cool.  (I wonder if the tattoo was permanent, ha ha).

It goes to show you that the skaters really got into their routines and seemed to take the show seriously.  Even if they all weren't fans of Barry's music, they were doing a great job with the music.  They used their skills and talents on the ice to interpret each song .  I just hope some of the skaters came away with some appreciation of the music.  I am also wondering if any of them will use some of these routines this upcoming season for their competitive or show pieces.  Now that would be way too cool.

Well, we knew it had to be time for Barry to sing by now.  He came back out onto the stage in an all black suit.  Sang "Daybreak" with the skaters all around him on the stage.  There was no 'band', so I guess Barry sang to pre-recorded music.  Somewhere during this song I ran down to the railing with my camera and knelt there to take photos.  Barry kept looking over at our section.  It was really wonderful.  Just being able to take photos of Barry singing was a thrill.  During the end of the show is when things started to become surreal for me.  Too much going on at one time.  He was on stage singing, the skaters were skating and I did NOT know what to watch. In addition, I am trying to take photos.  Kristi was the final skater of the evening and he noted it was time for their duet.  He had been practicing his triple jumps (he made up the names for the jumps) etc.  He then did "You Make Me Feel So Young" putting the word "skate" into the lyrics and singing "Kristi you make me feel so young...." I was in my seat for this and then went back down to the ice when Barry added another "quirky" song as part of the finale while the full company skated to "Where Does All the Time Go".  I think I gave up watching the skaters at this point and just watched Barry sing and took photos (until I ran out of film --I had more film in my camera bag, but didn't want to lose my vantage point - and no one seemed to mind me standing there.)  Sharon also joined me at the railing.  The show ended with the uptempo version of "Copa" - and we're all singing and clapping along and got more looks from Barry in our direction and I just continued having a good time and getting caught up in the moment.  The skaters lined up near us on the ice, and when they skated by to exit, I held out my hand and got to
touch Elvis' hand too :-).  Oooh.  I do remember at the end, the skaters each had a spotlight on them and made the motion of pulling down a cord to turn off the spotlight (nice touch).  The final bows were taken on the ice and then the skaters went on stage to take the final bow with Barry.

Wow.  In the LV-Sun interview about the show, Robin Cousins called Barry "quite the genius."  I think the same applies to Robin.

I still can't believe I did this.  Lots of memories packed into a quick weekend.  What a way to wind up the millennium.  Now when I hear one of the songs that was skated to during the show, I get a new image of Barry's music on ice.  Very cool!