St. Joseph Figure skaters practicing for “Wizard of Oz on Ice” performance. Photo courtesy Greg Kozol
St. Joseph figure skaters are gearing up for performances of the “Wizard of Oz on Ice.”
The St. Joseph Figure Skating Club said the spring show will be held Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.
There will be three show times that will feature 59 local performers from the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club and the city of St. Joseph’s Learn to Skate Program at Bode Ice Arena.
Audiences will see elaborate sets and high-energy skating routines featuring iconic characters such as Dorothy, the lion and the scarecrow, as well as lots of munchkins and flying monkeys.
“There will be a lot of skating, and a lot of group skating on the ice,” said Debbie ColeGerber, the show director. “It’s a huge production. There’s not another club within 300 or 400 miles that does a show with this kind of theatrics.”
Cole-Gerber said the production is based on the 1998 Wizard of Oz musical and includes the jitterbug character that was cut from the 1939 film.
Special performers will include both developmental and advanced synchronized skating teams from St. Joseph, as well as individual routines from Claire Palmer and Grace SlaterPinnick. The two high school seniors are advanced skaters featured prominently in the show.
The production also highlights 15-year-old Ian Smith, of St. Joseph. He was one of 36 skaters to advance to sectionals in the intermediate level of national competition last year.
Practicing a routine for the upcoming show. Photo courtesy Greg Kozol
Cole-Gerber called “Wizard of Oz on Ice” a family friendly event that costs less than a movie at many theaters. Audience members, both young and old, are encouraged to add to the
fun by dressing as characters from the Wizard of Oz.
All performances are held at Bode Ice Arena, 2500 Southwest Parkway, in St. Joseph. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, May 9.
Tickets are $7 for ages 13 on up, $3 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for anyone age 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased by calling 816-271-5506 or at Bode the day of the show.