From Vancouver to Smucker's Stars on Ice

The Olympians are coming. You saw them glide and jump their way across your television sets. Now, on the heels of a breathtaking 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, they descend on Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, showcasing the sport and entertainment that is world-class figure skating.
Fans of the sport, will get an up-close and personal look at what high-level competitive skating is all about in this latest installment of Scott Hamilton’s Smucker’s Stars On Ice tour.
The skating spectacle, in its 24th year, offers fans a glimpse of their favorite skaters performing routines especially created for the show. In keeping with Stars On Ice tradition, the all-new production promises to have the audience on the edge of their seats as the best skaters in the world reveal their amazing moves on the ice. Special guest, the newly crowned Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek headlines the production, joined by Olympic, World, and National Champions who show fans what it takes to be a champion.
“It’s a very entertaining show,” said Ben Agosto, who competes with partner Tanith Belbin as Belbin & Agosto. The pair, who took the silver medal in the ice dancing competition in the 2006 Olympic Games, placed fourth in Vancouver.
“This is the first time that we are performing full time with the tour and it gives us the opportunity to skate with amazing skaters,” Agosto said. “The audience will really enjoy it.”

Along with Lysacek, the pair is joined by their fellow 2010 Olympians: Silver Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and Silver Medalists Qing Pang and Jian Tong, as well as Mirai Nagasu, the 2008 U.S. National Champion, and Jeremy Abbott, a two-time U.S. National Champion.
Also appearing are 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen, World Champion and six-time National Champion Todd Eldredge, two-time World Bronze Medalist and three-time National Champion Michael Weiss, World Champion and two-time Japanese Ladies Champion Yuka Sato, and 2009 U.S. National Champion Alissa Czisny.
“It’s a larger cast than in the past,” Agosto said. “And coming off competition, there’s a different dynamic to the show. The skaters can really express themselves. It’s a release from all that competitive pressure.”
From triple jumps to those backflips not permitted in Olympic competition, this show has all the tricks that audiences love. “It’s very different than on TV,” said Belbin. “People are always surprised at how different skating is to watch live.”
Besides the skating technique, the production is known for intricate lighting, dynamic costumes, cutting-edge choreography and state-of-the-art technology, which all combine to create theatrical spectacle. “To see the athleticism mixed with with artistry really highlights all that skating has to offer,” Belbin said. “For us, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the success of ice dancing in the U.S. We hope everyone comes out to see the show.”

Smucker’s Stars on Ice
Saturday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $25; available at the Coliseum Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, (631) 888-9000 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale.