The Long Island Advance
This Holiday Show Really Is Spectacular
Costumes that dazzle, singing to lift spirits, and mesmerizing and humorous skating scenarios, the Gateway’s “Holiday Spectacular on Ice,” featuring two-time Olympic and World Championship-winner Nancy Kerrigan, burst onto the stage Friday night in Bellport, loaded with colorful, fun, fast-paced entertainment.
Besides Kerrigan, world-class skaters included husband-and-wife team Frank Sweiding and Anita Hartshorn (yikes, those lifts!), Ian Lorello, Kayleigh Linkous, Courtney Hicks, Laura Seal, Rachel Thomas and aerialist Dayron Tondike. No camels or horses, but The Gateway’s Boston terrier, Brady, made it this year, popping up in one scene. And Gateway’s Youth Ensemble performed several times, completing the family-friendly spectacle.
There are 39 musical scenes, most with intricate skating choreography: 23 featured actors and skaters as well as the Youth Ensemble. They all performed on Gateway’s stage ice rink—not an easy feat. So we’ll plunge into some of the highlights.
Kerrigan was the exuberant host of the night, interacting with audience members, asking youngsters if they were being good. She displayed her artistry, clearly enjoying herself in gorgeous, fluttering creations with vibrant colors, some with rhinestones. The rest of the cast were outfitted in sumptuous velvet, calico, cowboy gear and ethereal details.
Vocalists Jennifer Brett and Bellport’s own and top 40 finalist in “American Idol” Shannon Gibbons, as well as Tyler Shore (he played in this year’s “Phantom”; watch him in “Law & Order SVU,” S26) are back on stage, all repeat performers from Gateway’s last “Holiday Spectacular on Ice,” in 2023.
Watch Brett wow the male ensemble skaters with her glitz and fun diva rendition of “Santa Baby.” She and Zion Middleton, newcomer to The Gateway, crack up the audience with “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” (Middleton’s eager/not eager persona is a riot.)
Hartshorn and Sweiding, gold medal winners at The World Professional Championships in Spain, performed amazing moves in the rollicking “Jingle My Bells,” with the calico-clad ensemble skaters. (Sweiding lifts Hartshorn over his shoulders as she hangs on with her ankles, then lands expertly. They don’t miss a beat in a number of maneuvers. Wow!)
Oh, that Ian Lorello! He’s the bravado bad boy ‘50s skater in “Run, Run Rudolph.” His exuberance, especially in his splits, is eye-popping. Wife Laura Seal, a principal performer and “Disney on Ice” host, swirls with other skaters in poodle skirts, colorful crinolines peeking out, as they swoon around him. Lorello is at it again in the “Hot Chocolate” scene, a new addition.
This show has everything. Courtney Hicks, a 2014 Olympic alternate, Grand Prix medalist and U. S. Junior Ladies Champion, performed the exquisite, dramatic “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo.” And Kayleigh Linkous, another “Holiday Spectacular on Ice” alum, handles amazing fire tossing and juggling smoothly while skating to “Code Name: Vivaldi.” (Linkous will be returning to the “Wizard of Oz On Ice” tour in late January.)
There are several lovely religious scenes, including “Silent Night” and a spirited “Chanukah O Chanukah” with skaters performing joyous jumps with the audience clapping along to the rousing tune; Tiny Skater Alexandra “Lexi” Konochuk performed with Young Skater Reese Sophia Wustenhofft. Konochuk was raised up during the hora dance. Speaking of young talent, the Gateway’s Youth Ensemble did a great job with medleys of “Felice Navidad,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause,” as the audience sang along.
Keith Andrews directed and choreographed the show, a Herculean feat considering the number of songs and dance steps; it’s his fifth time. He shares his choreographing expertise with Tara Modlin-Maurizi, who cast the figure skaters, many of whom won skating awards, and performed regularly as principal performers on cruise ships and ice shows, including “Disney on Ice.” Kudos to the entire Gateway team, production, lighting, costume design and music. This was a big one.
Infused with the talent and warmth of the skating and vocal performers, the musical ended with the entire company in full voice and an ice sprinkling and candy cane toss with Santa. We could all use a little Christmas right now, and this is the place to feel what hope, joy and performance excellence is all about.
Dan's Papers
Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular On Ice Is Truly Spectacular
There’s a good reason why Gateway’s holiday show is called Holiday Spectacular; it truly is spectacular. This two hour extravaganza of sight and sound is a gift for the entire family that spreads joy, thrills and magic.
Take one ice skating rink, put it on top of the Gateway stage, add Olympic silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan, surround her with ice skaters, ice dancers, gymnasts, stunning voices all wrapped up in a quick paced joyride and you get a holiday spectacular that takes your breath away.
How do they get an ice rink to stay frozen on a stage? How do they keep it smooth without a Zamboni? How do Kerrigan and the other skaters perform all those twirls and jumps in a relatively tight space compared to the grand arenas they are used to? So many questions, yet it works with visuals that enthrall.
Kerrigan once again reminds us why she is an Olympic star who is in a class of her own. From the moment she steps onstage wrapped in a flowing red coatdress, she is magnetic with that broad, welcoming smile that reaches the back of the house. Her exciting skating throughout the show emits much deserved applause and standing ovations on each brilliant routine.
This is truly an interactive show with Kerrigan talking directly to the audience and includes audience participation with a sing along on “Feliz Navidad.”
This tantalizing treat with nonstop action was meticulously directed and choreographed by Keith Andrews with captivating figure skating choreography by Tara Modlin-Maurizi. Andrews and Modlin-Maurizi have crafted outstanding dance routines on ice like a line of skaters that revolve, reminiscent of Busby Berkeley’s geometric style, coming daring close to the edge of the stage causing audible gasps from the crowd. There are Rockette routines replete with the iconic synchronized kick line but here it’s done on skates.
This quick paced show whisks the audience from one specialty act to the next. “Hangin’ Round the Mistletoe” features the incredible pole dancing aerialist and skater, Dayron Tondike. In “Code Name: Vivaldi,” Kayleigh Linkous accompanied by Allen Shannon, Dayron Tondike, Aaron J. Gutman does an unbelievable, edge of your seat fire dance and juggling routine after which Kerrigan says, “Please don’t do that yourself at home.” So true! Ian Lorello’s skating artistry combined with Tyler Shore and the Youth Singers vocals on “O Holy Night” is gorgeous. Laura Seal is perfection on ice. The graceful and charming Courtney Hicks captures our attention every time she hits the ice. Husband and wife skating pair, Frank Sweiding and Anita Hartshorn, turn in jaw dropping performances with their gravity defying routines.
The score, under the masterful direction of Hosun Moon, is a cornucopia of classic carols and contemporary holiday songs that receive enchanting treatment from vocalists Jennifer Brett, Shannon Gibbons, Zion Middleton and Tyler Shore. Each singer appears throughout the show in a quartet and is highlighted in solo performances. Brett’s soaring soprano captivates and when she does a Marilyn Monroe take on “Santa Baby,” it is sheer delight! Middleton mesmerizes with his smooth as silk vocals. His duet with Brett on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is magic.
A showstopper is when Bellport’s Shannon Gibbons, who was a contestant on American Idol, belts out “Like It’s Christmas” to Kerrigan’s phenomenal skating routine.
Costume design by Janine Loesch is a visual feast for the holidays with reds, greens, whites and blues that sparkle and flow like characters themselves since they aide in creating the tone of every scene. There are poodle skirts in the fun 50’s take of “Run, Run Rudolph,” angelic flowing white confections with flowing scarves that extend from shoulders to fingertips making for a dream-like “Silent Night,” and a giant Frosty the Snowman with top hat, carrot nose and big round button eyes.
The set by Brittany Loesch is highly functional consisting of an upstage staircase on either side of a bridge, towering buildings up left and right frame the stage and a hint of snow on the ground. Brian Loesch’s lighting design sets the mood for each vignette with stars that twinkle red, yellow and white against a black sky. And of course, the centerpiece is that ice skating rink.
The Youth Ensemble, Young and Tiny Skaters are a double cast that alternates. At the show reviewed the Youth Ensemble consisted of Gavin Gronenthal, Chase Petrucci, Kyle Walters, Sofia Da Costa-Wilson, Avery Dawson, Ella Rogacki, Abigail Pirozzi, Rosalie Kubacki, and Samantha Hayes. The Youth Skaters were Mackenzie Rowan and Gabrielle Kanog Freeman. Cudos to all for a job well done.
Toward the end of the show, Kerrigan gives a heartfelt thank you to the crowd. “I’m so happy to still be able to do something that I started at age 6. So, thank you.” This is truly a two-way street as the audience is also thankful for just experiencing ice skating royalty at work.
The finale is a two part celebration with the full cast onstage for “We Need A Little Christmas” followed by “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”
The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular with its superlative cast featuring Nancy Kerrigan will fill you and your family with the spirit of the holiday season.
Patch
Review: The Gateway's "Holiday Spectacular on Ice!" Is a Jubilant Treat for the Whole Family!
The Gateway's "Holiday Spectacular on Ice!" dazzles with a captivating mix of stellar vocals, athleticism, and artistry, ensuring there's something magical to behold for every audience member. This show overflows with heartwarming holiday classics, riveting ice-skating routines, and stunning costumes that showcase the cast and creative team's talent and dedication.
One of America's most beloved sports legends, two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan, hosts and performs throughout the show. During the opening number, "Where Are You, Christmas," the audience clapped enthusiastically, expressing their love and appreciation for Kerrigan as she skated onto the stage, graceful and gifted as ever.
I loved all the big production numbers, especially "Run, Run Rudolph," where the energetic Female Ensemble Skaters, donning poodle skirts, glided around Ian Lorello, whose fun, fabulous, and funky skating moves stole the show. During the solemn "Silent Night," the Female Ensemble Skaters appeared like graceful snow angels floating among clouds, and during the upbeat "Sleigh Ride," they performed like the Rockettes on ice! One of the show’s highlights featured the Female Ensemble Skaters, accompanied by two rising megastars, The Young Skater, Gabrielle Kanog Freeman, and Tiny Skater, MacKenzie Rowan, delivering a moving performance of "Chanukah, O Chanukah."
A showstopping number was performed by Aerialist Dayron Tondike during "Hangin' Round the Mistletoe." Tondike is a highly trained skater and athlete who held the audience in the palm of his hand with his gravity-defying moves. Another high point of the show was watching Kaleigh Linkous' "Code Name: Vivaldi," where the audience was captivated as she skated around the stage with flaming torches, which she also juggled!
This festive holiday show features many children's Christmas classics performed by the talented Youth Singers, including "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," which highlights Giavanna Neri as Santa's most famous reindeer, and "Frosty the Snowman," in which a larger-than-life Frosty entertains the audience as he skates across the stage. This year's superstar pair skaters, Laura Seal and Ian Lorello, and the husband-and-wife dynamic duo Anita Hartshorn and Frank Sweiding mesmerized the audience with their precision-perfect routines. As singer extraordinaire Jennifer Brett belted out "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Seal and Lorello performed one of the most beautiful ice-skating routines you will ever see. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" was exquisitely sung by Bellport's own Shannon Gibbons, an American Idol Top 40 contestant, while Hartshorn and Sweiding wowed the audience with their exhilarating and masterful skating skills.
Act II opened on a high note with Female Soloist Courtney Hicks' awe-inspiring routine, dramatically choreographed to "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo." Two other lead vocalists, Zion Middleton and Tyler Shore, brought their A-game to the production. An updated version of the song, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," featuring Middleton and Brett, elicited some of the biggest laughs of the evening, and Shore, accompanied by the Youth Singers, delivered a heartrending performance of "O Holy Night," featuring an intricately choreographed skating routine expertly executed by Lorello.
The outstanding Skate Ensemble is composed of Marina Nelson, Alexis Hughes Parker, Ian Lorello, Laura Seal, Rachel Thomas, Courtney Hicks, Alivia Signorio, Giavanna Neri, Kayleigh Linkous, Dayron Tondike, Aaron J. Gutman, and Allen Shannon.
The Young Skaters, alternating performances, include Gabrielle Kanog Freeman and Reese Sophia Wustenhoff, while the Tiny Skaters, also sharing roles, are Alexandra "Lexi" Kononchuk and Mackenzie Rowan. Watching these talented and charismatic young skaters command the stage is worth the price of admission.
The dedicated Youth Ensemble includes Sonnie Betts, Sofia Da Costa-Wilson, Gavin Gronenthal, Avery Dawson, Chase Petrucci, Ella Rogacki, Kyle Walters, Abigail Pirozzi, Rosalie Kubacki, Anthony Scheifele, Emilia Gilligan, Samantha Hayes, Julius Lovelace, Kailyn Collins, Liam Valenti, Charlotte O’Leary, Moon Sossich, and Bree Wilkens.
The Gateways top-notch Creative Team deserves a big round of applause and includes Director and Choreographer Keith Andrews, Figure Skating Casting and Choreographer Tara Modlin-Maurizi, Music Director Hosun Moon, and Costume Designer Janine Loesch.
The Gateway's "Holiday Spectacular on Ice" features a stunning finale where the Full Company fills the stage to deliver memorable performances of "We Need a Little Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." The children in the audience squealed with delight, sighting Santa on his sleigh and candy canes soaring through the air!
