Wednesday, December 29, 2010

‘Spectacular’ evening

Christmas Eve ice show draws record crowd


By KATHERINE WUTZ
Express Staff Writer


Choreographer Gia Guddat used both feet and both hands to skate to the Nutcracker’s Arabian dance piece.

Another Sun Valley tradition was pulled off in style on Friday, Dec. 24, as 70 local skaters hit the ice for the annual performance of "The Nutcracker on Ice."

"This year, we really topped ourselves," said Scott Irvine, rink manager and ice show director for Sun Valley Resort.

The goal, said Irvine, is to increase the production quality every year, a feat he said the resort accomplished this year with the use of a lighting rig normally only used in the summer shows and with new costumes purchased by Sun Valley Resort.

"It was just a little more spectacular," he said.

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Adding to the performance was a special guest appearance by reigning Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, who had performed in the Sun Valley "Silver and Gold Ice Show" earlier last week. Irvine said Lysacek volunteered to perform during "The Nutcracker," using a piece from his performance on Tuesday, set to the "Nutcracker Suite" by the Kirov Orchestra.

"That was such a huge bonus, not only for the audience but for the kids, to be in a performance with an Olympic gold medalist," Irvine said. "Having Evan here was just the icing on the cake."

The show included children from the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club and local world-class skaters. Sun Valley Figure Skating Club coach Darlin Baker starred as the Sugar Plum Fairy, while choreographer Gia Guddat performed the Arabian dance with skates on both feet—and both hands.

Irvine said about 6,000 people attended this year's show.

"That's the biggest turnout we've ever seen," he said.

Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com




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