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20 Years of Stars on Ice: 2006



2006 saw the revival of the program that tops every favorite Kurt Browning program poll, "Brickhouse." Ten years after the shiny blue pants made their debut, they were back on the ice in Canada, though topped by a white t-shirt instead of the shiny white shirt. While Kurt, as the only guest star on the US tour, only appeared twice on the ice in the US, he was out eight times in Canada. That doesn't count coming out twice for the double opening number - the "false" Ice-Capades-mocking opening to "Loverly Spring" and the real "I'd Do Anything For Love" rocking opening. He also was on the ice for his self-choreographed solo to "Peace Frog" by the Doors, the amusing Act I closer "Dance Medley", the goofy Act II opening number "Overture/Comedy Tonight", the Jennifer Robinson-centered "Too-Me Tango" with rolling suitcases, another solo to "The Suite," "Brickhouse," and the finale to "Sing, Sing, Sing."

The basic premise of the 2006 tour, the 20th anniversary of the US show, was the show within the show. The transitions were provided by Scott Hamilton on video screens, talking about his intentions for the show (the fake "Loverly Spring" number was to illustrate exactly what Scott was trying *not* to go for with his tour), and the types of things you tended to get behind the scenes of the show. The Dance Medley ensemble showcased the traits of the various skaters in tour - trying to herd the singles skaters, used to doing their own individualistic things, into skating together in group numbers, the men who couldn't dance but didn't want to admit it and who tried to watch each other who didn't know the choreography either, the ladies, the pairs, etc, all getting their own little highlight bits. The Overture/Comedy Tonight ensemble was meant more to be an insight into dress rehearsal, when everything that can go wrong does go wrong (pants splitting, missed cues, prop mishaps, costume mishaps, etc). The Too-Me Tango was a commentary on diva skaters who refuse to carry their own luggage, and the general traveling and lugging luggage everywhere tour motif. Kurt's "The Suite" number was skated by Yuka Sato in the US, and was a tribute to those who Stars on Ice had lost over the years, transitioning into new beginnings with the skaters becoming parents. In essence, the entire show was meant to be an insight into the lead-up to the opening night of the show, and so the finale, "Sing Sing Sing" was designed to feel like an opening number. The show therefore ended with the skaters exuberantly throwing themselves into the number with the energy that usually goes into starting the show.

US Tour:

Cast:
  • Alexei Yagudin
  • Todd Eldredge
  • Steven Cousins
  • Yuka Sato
  • Jennifer Robinson
  • Jamie Sale & David Pelletier
  • Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze
  • Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman
  • Jason Dungjen

    Special guests:
  • Kurt Browning (15 cities)
2005-2006 Tour Program

Kurt programs:
Not in the US broadcast.
  • Mr. Bojangles
  • Peace Frog


What they said then (reviews)...
Canadian tour:

Cast:
  • Kurt Browning
  • Jeff Buttle
  • Elvis Stojko
  • Todd Eldredge
  • Jennifer Robinson
  • Joannie Rochette
  • Jamie Sale & David Pelletier
  • Xue Shen & Hongbo Zhao
  • Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman
2006 CSOI Tour Program

Kurt Programs & Group Numbers/Video Downloads:
Please right-click and download, do not play directly off my site What they said then...

Articles: Reviews: Photos:
The fans speak...

When Stars on Ice was last in Oklahoma City, the night before, he had a book signing for A is for Axel and I stood in line and waited for him to sign my book. Well as you see, I have a rather tricky name so I wrote it out on my hand so I didn't have to make him sound it out or try to spell it and as he was about to write my name, he quickly grabbed and kissed my hand...it was totally cute and totally Kurt!!! He also talked to my mom on the phone because she couldn't make it to the book signing and he's one of her absolute FAVORITES so it made her month. The next night we went to the show and were on the ice near where the skaters get on and off the ice for the numbers and at the very end of the show, he saw me and recognized me from the night before and came up and talked to me and my mom (this time in person)...it was one of the coolest things EVER!
- Mirielle Chambers

I've been a long-time fan of Stars On Ice. Nothing beats Kurt performing to Brick House....although I'm a fan of anything he does. I was able to meet him at a skate show in Sun Valley. What a kind, friendly, and gracious person he is! I begged him to return to the U.S. SOI tour...I got a shrug and a "maybe". Please come back, Kurt--America misses you!
- Rhonda

How can you pick one Kurt Browning moment, they are all so amazing. Never miss a chance to watch him skate,ever since the first time i saw him. He still got it all!
- Louise Dooley Downton



Day 16: 2005 | Back to intro | Day 18: 2007