By Elise Speiser.
After an absence of several years, Olympic figure skating icon Nancy Kerrigan makes her return to The Gateway in the Holiday Spectacular on Ice! This show is a fun and festive celebration of the holiday season that is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit (and Chanukah too)!
Kerrigan hosts the show in addition to skating, and is adept at both roles. As a skater she is as graceful and impressive as ever, and as a hostess she is warm and natural, drawing the audience in and welcoming us to participate in the revelry from our seats.
The performance showcases the talents of Kerrigan as well as a full cast of figure skaters and singers in a holiday revue of routines and songs. Directed by Keith Andrews, who also choreographed along with Tara Modlin-Maurizi, the show moves quickly and smoothly from one routine to the next, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. The various routines are well-balanced between high-energy antics and poignant flowing pieces, preventing it from ever feeling either overwhelming or too slow.
The base set is a picturesque town and bridge framing the open stage which has been transformed into a real ice rink under Executive Artistic Director Paul Allan. And the effort is well worth the result as the skaters perform all the wonders of their medium, complete with snowy shavings flung upon the audience on occasion.
Lighting Designer Brian Loesch creates a beautiful atmosphere with swirling lights projected onto the ice and color palettes that compliment the moods of the various routines. The costumes, designed by Marianne Dominy are a positive parade of sparkle and shine. At every turn there are new and interesting looks for the skaters and singers to correspond with the themes of the show’s segments, including classic retro, country, and modern winter styles.
Jennifer Brett, Jose Contreras, Shannon Gibbons, and Tyler Shore comprise the quartet of singers who perform many of the songs during the show in various combinations or solos. Their clear and strong voices grace the stage and bring the songs to life with holiday spirit.
The talents of this skating cast cannot be overstated. Not only do they display incredible athleticism, but they do so while executing the heartwarming, and at times surprisingly comedic, pantomime storytelling from routine to routine. Some highlights include: the adorable young skaters (performed alternatively by Conalie Julia King, Gabrielle Freeman, Charlotte Gilroy, and Reese Wustenhoff); the remarkably quick Ryan Dunk in the 1950s inspired routine of “Run Run Rudolph”; the hilarious physicality of Ariela Masarsky, Viktoria Chiappa, Violet Presley-Wolff and Madison Patrell in “A Holly Jolly Christmas”; and most especially, the incredible Nancy Kerrigan herself in several solo performances throughout the show.
If you’re looking for a fun way to get into the merriment of the season, go check it out! This show is suited to all ages, though parents should be prepared for their kids to ask for skating lessons afterward.
Holiday Spectacular on Ice! is running now at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY from December 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
Run Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes including one 20-minute intermission.