skateSARAH HUGHES IS SKATING TO EVA'S SINGING! 2005

An archive page


Skate EVA ON ICE -- AGAIN! Remember Michelle Kwan's "Fields of Gold" and Kristi Yamaguchi's "Imagine"? Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes is now the third top-rank figure skater to perform to the music of Eva Cassidy. Hughes will be skating to "Over the Rainbow" during the "Smuckers Stars on Ice" tour beginning in January 2005, according to this PDF file on the "Stars on Ice" site, listing musical programs. It will be near the end of Act II. I really can't imagine how the choreography will look!

**UPDATE #1: This will be shown on television in the United States on NBC, January 8, 2005, 4:30-6:00 PM EST.

**UPDATE #2: For skating enthusiasts only: Laurie gave me permission to quote from her post on one of the on-line skating discussion forums. She wrote after seeing the premiere of the "Stars on Ice" show in Lake Placid, "Sarah is wearing a beautiful light multi-hued gray chiffon-type dress. Flowy connecting moves, spirals, double jump which might have been a flip, Ina Bauer, camel spin, back spirals, Ina Bauer, falling leaf, forward spiral, double loop, forward spiral, her always wonderful layback, steps with lots of edge work to them, flying camel? it was a camel spin, anyway. Really pretty and graceful program full of spirals and showing off Sarah's nice edges." Thanks, Laurie! (Updated December 21, 2004) SkateSARAH HUGHES: The Seattle Times mentioned "Over the Rainbow," though not Eva, in an article about "Stars On Ice" on January 7th. Theater critic Mischa Berson wrote, 'Juggling her skating career with studies at Yale University, Sarah Hughes, 19, is still evolving as a performer. But her intrinsic strengths were clear in a lovely solo to "Over the Rainbow," performed in a flattering, silky black-and-gray outfit with all the warmth and grace this sturdy young star can bring to the ice.' Note: We cannot be certain whether "Over the Rainbow" will be part of the January 8th television program, but it seems likely, since Hughes is reigning Olympic champion and a preview was shown during the "Katarina Witt and Friends" special. Cross your fingers! (Added January 3 and updated January 7, 2005)


SkateMORE ACCOUNTS FROM 'STARS ON ICE': Olympic gold medallist Sarah Hughes continues to dazzle audiences with her performance to Eva's "Over the Rainbow." Bill sent me a quote from the magazine "Blades on Ice" about the program (written by Allison Stack): "In the second act, [Sarah Hughes] skated to Eva Cassidy's [Over The Rainbow]. Skating in a new grey and black dress. Hughes showed off her strong spins, especially long, deep-edged camel spins.... Even though she only did double jumps, Hughes didn't look as though she had taken any time away from the ice, let alone a year and a half. She looked beautiful and the audience welcomed her warmly." Bill adds, "I had a great time at SOI and I'll just say that Allison's description of Sarah's OTR skate was accurate. I feel that the chorography does fit the music. All of the time Sarah was on the ice it was really quiet so Eva's voice & music came through just beautifully. As I expected, Eva's name was mentioned on the loose enclosure named the singers and the names of the music everyone was using. None of this information was provided over the PA system."


SkateANOTHER ACCOUNT FROM 'STARS ON ICE': Scott in Texas writes, "When I first heard Eva sing, it was on a light rock station, KOOI-FM 106.5 out of Jacksonville/Tyler/Longview, Texas. And it was 'Over The Rainbow.' I heard that song again last weekend when I attended the 2005 edition of Stars On Ice and Sarah Hughes skated to that song...and I cried! I was shedding tears during that routine. The audience was so spellbound by Sarah's interpretation of Eva's version [of 'Over the Rainbow'], you could have heard a pin drop in the American Airlines Center that night. I had my doubts from hearing about Sarah fighting fatigue this early on the tour, but it seems that she is picking up some steam heading into February. Stars On Ice has a message board that has a thread for show reviews (you have to register first to access the review thread). And most of the reviews have been positive for Sarah's 'Over The Rainbow.' Can't wait to see it again when A&E air the SOI tour in its entirety March 11 (9-11 p.m. Eastern time)." (Added January 30, 2005)


Skate"STARS ON ICE" ON TELEVISION: Did you watch Sarah Hughes skate to Eva's "Over the Rainbow" on A&E this weekend? I don't have cable television so I'll have to wait to see a friend's videotape of the program. Scott commented, "They didn't mention Eva's name. Instead, they had a tease of Sarah having a big star attitude (which was hilarious) and went straight in to her entrance on the air before the song started and the caption that read 'Sarah Hughes: Over The Rainbow'... but you could clearly hear the music and Eva's voice singing. They did an excellent job on editing her song to fit the time element with Sarah's routine! And Sarah's costume fit the mood of the music. Eva would have been proud of Sarah's routine." A couple of other viewers disagreed about the music edit, complaining that it was very jarring and not well done. I'll have to hear it for myself! (Updated March 16, 2005)


Click here to return to the Welcome Page.
Click here to go to the "What's New" page.

Eva Cassidy Website Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 - Laura Claire Bligh.  All rights reserved.