I attended the Chicago SOI last night. Suffice it to say I wasn't disappointed. This year's show is really wonderful. Here are my thoughts.

GET THE LED OUT
This was the opening program to four songs by Led Zeppelin. First the entire cast minus Scott came out. The ensemble work is incredible, because it really showcases how close the skaters get without running into each other. Lots of footwork, lots of close skating, lots of small groups breaking off and skating. Then Scott came out to a thunderous applause. He acknowledged the crowd with his wonderful smile, and then got down to work skating to "Heartbreaker". After that Kristi came out and skated to "No Quarter", being joined by Brian, Roz, Renee and Gorsha. After these five skated, Kurt dashed out in his hockey skates, skating to "Moby Dick". Amazing footwork, spinning, and hockey stops spraying the audience with ice shavings. Then came Paul. I am so amazed at his footwork in this program. He garnered many squeals from the audience, of course, but his footwork and general energy out there was amazing! It was great to see him featured so prominently in the opening. Bechke & Petrov finished up this section with "Whole Lotta Love", a true departure for them but they sure know how to pull it off!

PROMENADE DES MUSES
I love the addition of the muses! It's a great bridge between programs and it's a lot of fun to identify the skaters. Most of you won't believe this, but I had SUCH a hard time finding Paul! I mean, I figured I'd KNOW for sure his jawline and his face, but I kept mis-identifying Brian as Paul!

Then Katia came out and did her "3 Preludes" by Gershwin. I have read that she's had lots of trouble with her jumps in this program, but no evidence in Chicago! She was totally on - even completing a very gentle 3 toe loop. I was thrilled for her, and very enchanted by this program.

THE SMOOCH
This begins with the muses skating to "Topsy", and then leads into Kristi skating her "SWAK" program. Lots of posing, which is a direction I really hope Kristi doesn't follow too closely, but definitely a cute program. What can I say though, I love the songs! Kristi jumped really well all night, only doubling one triple.

SLEEPERS
This is a spellbinding program. I absolutely love it. I know it's been criticized as a "typical Mary" program, but it's not! To me it's a study in edges, which we all know Paul does better than most. The lighting really makes it a serious tone, and the finishing pose on his one knee leaning back is lit as a square of gray light on the ice, almost like he's in a prison. Very effective. He completed a beautiful double axel and triple toe, but unfortunately he popped his triple lutz into a single. But who cares? I sure don't.

WITH ONE MORE LOOK AT YOU
Scott at his best. This program is dedicated to us, the audience, and begins with Scott turning slowly with his arms outstretched to us, and as he does the lights pan the audience as Scott looks at each and every one of us - yes, he really does! (At least he makes you feel as though he did.) Scott took a bad fall on his triple lutz (a total wipeout), which garnered him a huge response of clapping in support from the audience. Gary Morris' vocal is beautiful, and I felt definitely loved by Scott as a fan.

MAN OF LA MANCHA
I have truly found my favorite Katarina program, and this is it! It so suits her style, and the vocal by Linda Eder is chilling and wonderful! I am still singing that song even today. Kat was on with her double axels, but her triple toe turned into a very nice double.

FUN & GAMES
Cast: Scott - Swifty; Kristi - Annie Ne'eragain; Katia - Lily Pureheart; Kurt - Cyril Lutz; Roca/Sur - Gorky/Park; Paul - Evian Merry; Roz - Ivana Medal; Katarina, Brian, Elena and Denis - Judges

Oh, my gosh! This is truly the highlight of the show! And for those of you who haven't gone yet, take my advice (which someone gave me and I'm glad I listened) - keep your eyes on Paul! If you want to see what the others are doing, watch TBS's tape, but to see Paul as the coach is so funny I was in hysterics! Every move the skaters made, he imitated from the side. He was shouting BRAVO very loudly - the entire arena could hear him! And he was definitely in character the whole time! At one point when Scott commentated about Kurt's footwork being like "the great Scott Hamilton", Paul looked extremely indig- nant. You see, at that point, Kurt was doing Paul's footwork, and Paul was pointing to himself and then to Kurt, but then Scott made the comment, Paul's reaction of indignation was priceless! When the judges came out and skated (which TBS chacked from their broadcast), Roz as the "skating mom" was trying to get their attention with her own brand of sex appeal, and Paul was gesturing wildly for her to come back to the bench and behave.

Roca and Sur play "Gorky and Park", ice dancers very much reminiscent of Pasha and Platov. First they start out as serious, "environmentally conscious" skaters whose program about the South African (or American) red ant is met with many low scores from the judges. They quickly change into skimpy outfits and skate to a Latin beat dance - when all else fails, Plan B always triumphs! This is the best time to watch Paul at his funniest.

Paul then skates with Katia and Kristi to encourage them as a coach as to how good they really are. They are very competitive with each other for their coach's approval. This was chacked from TBS, but should have been left in.

Katia played the innocent skating princess beautifully, with Kristi playing the stuck-up skating diva. Boy, did the fur fly between them! When they unzipped their warm-up suits to reveal the same costumes, Kristi's piercing scream could be heard throughout the entire arena! Her skating across the arena to go backstage, followed by Paul in close pursuit (half skating, half running) was funny. Then Scott announced that due to a heel to the shin "accident", Kristi's character won't be participating - she was shopping at a local mall at the time for a new skating costume when she was assailed by an as yet unknown person (Roz's dog barking all the while). Roz comes out with a gold medal which she promptly puts around Katia's neck, and then the victory skate, finished by Kristi taking the "BIG CHECK" from a muse on the side who looks every bit like Doug Ladret.

Then it was time for Kurt's "Cyril Lutz" part - the men's hope of the team. He started out being very nervous, then began his long program to "2001 Space Odyssey" music. He was dressed a la Todd, and skated a perfect combination of Paul's style, Kurt's own style, and Scott's style. (Watch Paul in particular imitating and directing his own style of skating for Kurt.) Kurt completed a triple axel during this portion, as well as a great triple/triple combo. Finally, he won the competition, to the cheers and hugs of his team. He finishes with a victory run up the stairs, stands on the platform gesturing in victory, and is fol- lowed by Scott who runs up the stairs and gives a high five to Kurt, which prompts Kurt to fall backwards off the platform! Scott smiles in embarrassment to the audience and waves. When the cast comes out and takes their bows, you see Kurt struggling to climb back onto the platform with no luck - he falls back again.

The muses coming out after the intermission was fun. The winner of the lace-up was once again Katarina, with Paul a close second. Unfortunately I didn't see the program they all did after this because of trying to get rude people in our row to let my mother through. Oh well, I'll have to pay attention in Milwaukee.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
The more I see this, the more I love it. Roca and Sur are my favorite dance couple anyway, but being a lover of this song for over a year (my father brought the CD back from Italy where it was already popular), I was not as sure about the choreography of this piece, but now I like it. Renee is very graceful and Gorsha is so great in his expression and dance. Huge round of applause on this one.

THE STORY OF MY LIFE
I love this program. Brian did a wonderful job and I'm sure his mother is smiling down at him for his perfor- mance, and the obvious love he pays her in this program.

SWEET ROSALYN
I like this program too - Roz has a lot of fun in this and it's full of interesting footwork and moves which are a departure from what she's done lately.

ANTARES
My absolute favorite Kurt program. This one is wonderful, but somehow I lost the impact I felt when I first saw it on TV. Maybe it was because I couldn't see it as clearly. He again completed a triple axel in this program and his footwork and the music is great! His long spread eagle around three sides of the arena had so much speed, and he did it with a big smile instead of the serious expression I saw on TV.

IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN'S WORLD
I love Katarina, but I really don't like this program. She does well, of course, but I can't stand Cher and the song leaves me bored. (Who told Cher she could sing anyway?), But Kat's expression and artistry is still first rate.

JOUE JUSQU'AU MATIN
This program by Bechke and Petrov is reminiscent of their Russian folk dance last year - and is extremely good. They did their usual, wonderful lifts, spins and tricks. They have added something really cool on to their version of the death spiral - the one where Elena's foot is on Denis' foot as they rotate. This time he lifts that foot and she lifts her other foot, and his foot is holding her up as they rotate. It's something I've never seen, and it garnered a great response from the audience, and especially from me.

GO THE DISTANCE
Always brilliant, always beautiful. I love this program. I felt badly that Paul popped his triple lutz again, but the program is such a great tribute to him, his career, and his fans that I didn't mind. But I am ashamed of my hometown - no standing ovation. He got lots of applause and shouting, and took his time taking his bows and waving goodbye to us, but he deserved a standing ovation and I'm surprised he didn't get one.

Elvis Presley Medley with Katia, Kristi and Kurt. They began with "Fever", then Katia skated to "Can't Help Falling in Love With You". She did a good job but stepped out of a couple of jumps - no falls, though. She is elegant and has so much speed as she covers the ice - truly delightful to watch. Kurt came out and skated to "Are You Lonesome Tonight". It was good and moving, but not particularly the best of what I know Kurt can do. Still it was nice. Then Kristi came out and did "Trouble". It was high energy and a crowd pleaser, but as many know I'm not a fan of Kristi's "sexy" programs because I don't think she pulls it off well. She's a beautiful classical or romantic skater, and does comedy well and the fun programs such as "Doop Doop", but when she's trying to be sexy with the pouting lips and all the expressions, she just looks like she's making funny faces. Katarina, Roz, and even Katia pull of sexy much better in my silly little opinion. Then the three of them ended up with "Surrender", which is a great program for them. I think that Kurt would have made a good pairs skater given the chance, and his rapport with Katia and Kristi was good. The cute, funny thing about this was that at one point Kurt was holding one of their hands and spinning them while crouching down, and he fell back onto the ice. The audience giggled and so did the skaters.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Scott's "Wizard of Oz" program - no prop problems tonight! It was funny and ingenious. Sarah Kawahara should get a lot more recognition than she does, because she is the genius behind Scott's programs. Of course Scott's input is seen very much, but the collaboration is right on.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
I wish this wasn't so short, because it's really good. But I miss the "medley" finales that SOI used to do, like the Queen, Stones and Beatles finales. Still, this was good, although I don't think the dresses, though beautiful, really fit a Led Zeppelin song. I think they should have returned to the red tops and black leather pants for this one, as was worn in the opening program.

This was followed up by "Bow Wow", when they take their bows. Scott took the mike and thanked us for being there, promising we'd see them again.

But all I could think, of course, was "Sure we'd see them next year, but without Paul!" How I shall miss him.

Kathleen (kruss)