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Ice Capades

January 06, 2023

The Ice Capades were traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances. Shows often featured former Olympic and US National Champion figure skaters who had retired from formal competition. Started in 1940, the Ice Capades grew rapidly and prospered for 50 years. A decline in popularity ensued in the 1980s, and the show went out of business around 1995. There have been several attempts to revive the show and its name.

Ice Capades Inc.
  • Ice Capades
  • Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades (1993–1996)
Formerly
  • Ice Capades (1940–1991)
  • Dorothy Hamill International (1993–1995)
FoundedFebruary 1940; 82 years ago (1940-02) in Hershey, Pennsylvania
FoundersArena Managers Association
DefunctAugust 15, 1997; 25 years ago (1997-08-15)
Fateclosed down
Key people
Parent
Divisions
  • The East Company (1940–1997)
  • Ice Cycles (1946–1956)
  • West Company
  • Continental Company
Promotional illustration for the 1965 Ice Capades

Similar traditional ice-skating entertainment shows included the Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice.

History

Ice Capades was founded in February 1940 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, by nine men who called themselves the Arena Managers Association. They met to discuss forming an ice show to play in their arenas during the 1940-1941 entertainment season. The arenas represented were all well-known venues of the day:[1]

In 1936, Harris had hired the legendary skater Sonja Henie to perform between periods of ice hockey games. She created a sensation among Pittsburghers, confirming his faith in ice skating's potential as a spectator amusement.[2] The other arena managers agreed with this assessment, chose the name "Ice Capades", and formed a group of skaters.

Early years

 
Crowd came to the show of the Ice Capades at Montreal Forum, 1944.
 
Ice Capades program from 1945, showing the many production numbers, and the large size of the cast. Single-themed shows had not yet been developed.

The group's first performance was four months after its founding, on June 16, 1940, at New Orleans Municipal Auditorium. The show closed there on June 29 and moved to Atlantic City Convention Hall, where it played nightly from July 19 through September 2. Famous skaters in the large cast included Belita, Vera Hruba, and Robin Lee. The group's first touring season under the Ice Capades name covered 24 cities between November 1940 and May 1941.[1]

The show's success spawned two films from Republic Pictures, Ice-Capades (1941),[3] and Ice-Capades Revue (1942).[4] The films featured actors and entertainers such as James Ellison, Ellen Drew, Jerry Colonna, and Phil Silvers, as well as the Ice Capades skaters. They were not considered to be films of quality, and the first one was panned by The New York Times.[3]

In 1942, the show featured world champion skater Megan Taylor, new talent Donna Atwood, and an acrobatic team from Boston called the Hub Trio featuring Leonard Mullen, Kenneth Mullen and Eddie Raiche. They were the first in the world to perform a back flip without the use of hands. The next year, U.S. figure skating champion Bobby Specht joined the show; he would be actively involved with Ice Capades for the next 31 years. 1943 also introduced the "Old Smoothies", Orrin Markhus, 51, and his partner Irma Thomas, 44, plus Trixie, the skating juggler. The production number "Toys for Sale" was the first story on ice with original words and music.[1]

Later years

Ice Capades shows were extremely popular for several decades and became a household name, although they were criticized by some as kitsch.[5] From 1941 through 1981, the Ice Capades show was a summertime fixture at what was then known as Atlantic City Convention Hall.[6]

In 1946 Ice Cycles, a co-production, was formed with Ice Follies.[7] In 1949, Ice Follies left the Ice Cycles show leaving it under Ice Capades' ownership.[8] Starting in 1949, Ice Capades started adding Disney's character segment to their performances. Costumes from those shows were used at the opening of Disneyland in 1955, and some performers were hired away by Disney.[9]

Harris sold the company circa 1964 to Metromedia.[10] By the mid 1970s, Ice Capades had grown to three different touring companies under one Ice Capades umbrella: The East Company (the original 1940 company), the West Company, and the Continental Company (formed in 1974). In this period, they owned several railroad baggage cars that were used to transport the show.[citation needed] In 1986, then-owner Metromedia sold Ice Capades, 15 Ice Chalet skating rinks, and the Harlem Globetrotters as a package to International Broadcasting Corporation for $30 million.[11]

Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades

A decline in popularity began in the 1980s, and the parent company went bankrupt in 1991. Olympic champion Scott Hamilton joined the show in 1984 but later left to start his own show, Stars on Ice. On June 24, 1993, Dorothy Hamill, who headlined the East Company from 1977 to 1984,[citation needed] bought Ice Capades' assets in a bankruptcy sale via Dorothy Hamill International company. Hamill International developed Frozen in Time: Cinderella on Ice, a theatrical style show billed as Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades.[12] The new company took on millions in loans to stay afloat, but attendance figures remained stagnant.[5] In May 1994, the Shriners dropped its sponsorship of the Christmas show in favor of Disney On Ice.[13]

In February 1995, Hamill sold the company for $10 million to television evangelist Pat Robertson's company, International Family Entertainment (IFE). Hamill and her husband, Dr. Ken Forsythe, were retained as president and CEO, respectively.[14] Ice Capades planned a tour of arenas as well as a TV special in China's Tiananmen Square but went out of business a short time later.[5]

The tour had a lackluster season which led Hamill to leave the company. IFE then searched for a management firm to handle the touring company for an equity stake. Instead, however, IFE sold Ice Capades in late 1995, to Del Wilber & Associates, while retaining the option to reacquire a majority ownership stake for 10 years.[15][16]

In 1996, Ice Capades and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer developed The Magic of MGM, which included Dairy Queen among its sponsors.[17] On August 15, 1997, Del Wilber shut down operations and laid off the performers. IFE had apparently continued to fund the Ice Capades as a secured creditor. IFE was acquired by Fox Kids Worldwide, funding was halted, and two scheduled tours were canceled.[15]

Analysis

Analysts believe the increasing popularity of the sport of figure skating meant that more sophisticated audiences came to prefer straightforward Olympic-style ice-skating competitions, or skating shows for adults (i.e., without cartoon characters), such as Stars on Ice. At the same time, shows such as Disney on Ice (featuring Disney cartoon characters) successfully competed for the child audience.[5]

Revivals and reunions

In the fall of 2000, Ice Capades was resurrected by Garden Entertainment in its original format, with a large cast of skaters. The new show was conceived, directed, and choreographed by the former German pair skating champion Almut Lehmann Peyper. The show was not a financial success and closed in November 2000, canceling the remaining tour dates.

Another attempt to revive Ice Capades was made in the spring of 2008, with plans for a tent show production called "Mystika", billed as "Cirque Meets Ice". In mid-August 2008, auditions were held in Lake Placid, New York for the all new Ice Capades. Developed by Entertainment Holdings and Red Brick Entertainment, Ice Capades was announced for production as live skating shows, television specials, episodic series, and web content. Three-time U.S. pairs champion and two-time Olympian JoJo Starbuck was named as Artistic Director.[18] However, in April 2009, the tour was canceled by its organizers, Garden Family Shows, stranding many of the performers without pay and leaving suppliers unpaid.[19]

Reunions

Former Ice Capades skaters have organized reunions, typically held every five years. The 2010 reunion, held in Las Vegas, commemorated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Ice Capades, and was attended by more than 500 people.[20] The 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration was held in June 2015.[21]

Productions

Licensed characters and properties used in productions included "A Flintstone Fantasy" (1967),[citation needed] "Hey Kids, Meet The Snorks!" (1985)[5] and "The Ewoks" (1986).[citation needed] From 1989 to 1990, as part of the show's 50th anniversary, the Ice Capades had a tour that featured a variety of segments, including appearances from Olympic medalist Elizabeth Manley, Super Mario Bros., and Barbie.[22][23] On December 28, 1989, ABC aired the Ice Capades in a special hosted by Jason Bateman and Alyssa Milano.[24] The special was written by Bruce Vilanch.[25]

Ice Capades Tours

  • 34th Edition featuring Gypsy Magic, The Golden Hamburger Caper (McDonald's characters), and the precision group performing as The Rangerettes (1973)[26]
  • 35th Edition featuring Stereopticon, It's Christmas Every Day, and the precision group (referred to as the Ice Capettes) performing Touch of Classe (1975)
  • "Just for You" tour featuring Gym 'N Ice Tricks, A Pinball Fantasy, Happy Birthday Yogi Bear, and the World Famous Ice Capettes in Those Golden Girls (1975-76)
  • "It's Magic-Time" tour featuring Grand Illusions, Island Magic, Chopin Fantasy, Scooby-Doo and the Gang From Magicland, and the World Famous Ice Capettes in Thirty-Two of a Kind (1976)
  • "Make A Wish" tour featuring A Royal Welcome, Flintstone Frolics, An Oriental Fantasy, and precision skating by the Famous Ice Capettes (1978)
  • "Star Struck" tour featuring Disco Encounters, Wiz City (Hanna-Barbera characters), and Radiant Stars precision skating by the Famous Ice Capettes (1979)
  • "Let's Celebrate" tour featuring Latin Fire, The Magic Machine (Hanna-Barbera characters), and the Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets in Gershwin Hit Parade (1981)
  • "Light Up the Ice" tour starring Toller Cranston (in select cities) featuring Alice at the Wonderland Ball, Journey to the Ice Age, and the World Famous Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets in Precision on Parade (1981-82)
  • "Hello World Hello!" tour featuring Flight to Kismet, Smurfs Alive!, Viva Vegas Viva!, and the Very Best Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets precision number titled That's Jazz (1982)
  • "Skates Alive" tour featuring Wow! It's On Ice!, Dingbats & Ice Blobs, and the Very Best Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets precision number titled Dudes, Dolls & Diamonds (1983)
  • "Dream World: An Iced Delight" tour featuring For Your Ice Only, The Smurf That Learns to Fly, and the Greatest Precision Skaters in the World in the Star Time finale (1984)
  • "Hooray for Ice!" starring Kitty & Peter Carruthers featuring Ravel's Bolero, Hey Kids Meet the Snorks, The Chiller, and the World's Greatest Precision skaters in Rhythms for the Now Generation (1985)
  • "Bravo America: Bold, Bright, Beautiful" tour starring Paul Martini & Barbara Underhill featuring The Ewoks, Miss Liberty, and the World's Greatest Precision Skaters in Team Ice Capades (1986)
  • "The Best of Times" featuring The Beatles Remembered, The World of Teddy Ruxpin, and the World's Greatest Precision Skaters in Top of the Line (1987)
  • "Salute to Hollywood" starring Torvill & Dean (in select cities) featuring Noir Et Blanc- A Chess Fantasy, The California Raisins, and Our World Famous Precision Skaters in The Spectacles of Busby Berkeley (1988)
  • "Return to Romance" starring Elizabeth Manley featuring The Reckless Voyage, From the World of Nintendo: Adventures of the Super Mario Brothers, and the World Famous Precision Skaters in The Magic of the Can Can (1989)
  • "Golden Anniversary Edition" featuring The Golden Anniversary Ball, Barbie At the Big Top, Inside the Ice Capades Computer, and The Simpsons (1990)
  • "On Top of the World" featuring A Night in Metropolis, The Haunted House on Ice Mountain, and the Ice Capades Precision Skaters in Sing, Sing, Sing (1991)
  • "Made in America" starring Christopher Bowman and speed skater Cathy Turner featuring The Lovable Dolls: Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy, Frontier Days, and the World Famous Precision Skaters (1992)

Ice Capades theatrical shows

  • Frozen in Time: Cinderella on Ice (1993)[12]
  • Hansel, Gretel, the Witch and the Cat (1994) an adaptation of Hansel and Gretel[27]
  • The Magic of MGM (September 1996)[17]

Ice Cycles

In 1946, Ice Cycles was started as a co-production with Ice Follies and was designed to tour in smaller cities. They used skaters and production numbers from both tours.[8][7] In 1949, Ice Follies left the Ice Cycles show, leaving it under Ice Capades' ownership. Ice Cycles continued as a second tier touring company. In 1956, the Ice Cycles name was dropped in favor of the name Ice Capades.[8]

Notable skaters

These are some of the many notable skaters who appeared in Ice Capades shows or were involved in other aspects of the company:[1][28]

Portable ice rinks

In the early 1950s, the group started using portable ice rinks, called "tanks". This made it possible for them to perform in arenas that did not have their own ice surface, greatly expanding the number of venues where the show could operate. It took several days and 30-40 workers to install the tanks. In the late 1960s, Ice Capades designed and patented a new portable ice rink system that could be installed in less than 10 hours on most arena basketball floors or other surfaces.[1]

Chalet skating rinks

In 1966, Ice Capades bought an ice skating rink in Topanga Plaza shopping center, Canoga Park, California. The success of this venture led to the establishment of the Ice Capades Chalet Division, which owned and operated about 13 rinks, ran ice skating schools, and developed a curriculum that could develop a skater from beginner to competitive skater. Most of the Chalets were in California and Texas; others were in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. The chalets were started by Michael Kirby, former voice of Ice Capades shows, and eventually expanded to over two dozen facilities under the management of ISI Hall of Famer and Ice Capades VP, Michael R. Booker.

In popular culture

The show has been widely parodied,[citation needed] for example by cartoonist Gary Larson's comic strip The Far Side with good-natured comics captioned "Ice Crusades"[30] and "Dirt Capades".[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Hamilton, F. F. Jr. (1974). Ice Capades "years of entertainment". Washington, DC: Penchant Publishing Company, Ltd.
  2. ^ Biehl, Mary A. (2004). "The Harris Family and its Ice Capades". Western Pennsylvania History. 87 (4): 37–39. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  3. ^ a b Crowther, Bosley (1941-09-25). "' Ice-Capades,' a Slow Comedy (With Incidental Skating), at Loew's Criterion". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  4. ^ "Ice-Capades Revue". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e Curtis, Bryan (March 16, 2005). "The Ice Capades: Requiem for the ice carnival". Slate. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  6. ^ Sokolic, William H. (September 19, 2006). "Former Ice Capades Performers Reunite". Courier-Post Online. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Kirschner, Betty Jean (January 9, 1946). "BETTY JEAN KIRSCHNER". Daily Illini. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c "Timeline". proskatinghistoricalfoundation.org. Pro Skating Historical Foundation. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  9. ^ Korkis, Jim (September 13, 2005). "Wednesdays with Wade: 25 years of "Disney on Ice"". JimHillMedia. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Hines, James R. (2011-04-22). Historical Dictionary of Figure Skating. Scarecrow Press. pp. 109, 119. Retrieved 2014-03-13. john h harris ice capades.
  11. ^ Rivera, Nancy (March 5, 1986). "Metromedia Will Sell Trotters, Ice Capades : Minnesota Company to Pay $30 Million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Deckard, Linda (July 12, 1993). . Amusement Business. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  13. ^ Sowa, Tom (May 5, 1994). . The Spokesman-Review. Cowles Company. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  14. ^ Deckard, Linda (June 13, 1994). . Amusement Business. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016 – via High Beam.
  15. ^ a b Waddell, Ray (September 8, 1997). . Amusement Business. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  16. ^ Mayfield, Dave (August 14, 1995). . The Virginian-Pilot. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Zuber, Amy (September 9, 1996). . Nation's Restaurant News. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  18. ^ . Archived from the original on January 31, 2009.
  19. ^ "Ice Capades scraps international tour". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network.
  20. ^ "70th Ice Capades Anniversary Reunion". Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  21. ^ "Ice Capades 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration". 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  22. ^ Weiss, Devi (September 29, 1989). "The Ice Capades Celebrates A Half-century Of Frosty Fun". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  23. ^ Yarrow, Andrew (January 19, 1990). "Weekender Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  24. ^ "Update". Los Angeles Times. December 28, 1989. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  25. ^ Swertlow, Frank (November 2, 1989). "Movers and shakers". Los Angeles Daily News. Digital First Media. p. L20. Bruce Villanche (sic), who wrote this year's Academy Awards show, was in Chicago recently to fine-tune the patter for the television special 'The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,' and he is also working on material for the upcoming ABC 'Ice Capades' show with Jason Bateman, which will be televised Dec. 28.
  26. ^ Hamilton, Frank. Ice Capades souvenir program.
  27. ^ Pena, Albert (October 7, 1994). . La Prensa de San Antonio. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016 – via HighBeam Business.
  28. ^ Hines, James R. (2006). Figure Skating: A History. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0-252-07286-3.
  29. ^ Hruska, Rachelle (June 24, 2008). "Interview With Richie Rich". Vimeo. IAC.
  30. ^ Norako, Leila K. . Rossell Hope Robbins Library, University of Rochester. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  31. ^ Larson, Gary (1992-06-01). Cows Of Our Planet (Far Side Series). Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0-8362-1701-2.

External links

  • Newsreel of 1962 Ice Capades show. Includes links to others.
  • 70th Anniversary Reunion web site (2010) - extensive collection of Ice Capades photos, historical content, etc.
  • 2000 Ice Capades revival feature story
  • Website of the 2008 Ice Capades revival.
  • Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/22/09 - Ice Capades alums say thanks for the memories
  • Historical photo and video essay by Ice Capades alumni/ae
  • Ice Capades of 1964

January 06, 2023
capades, were, traveling, entertainment, shows, featuring, theatrical, skating, performances, shows, often, featured, former, olympic, national, champion, figure, skaters, retired, from, formal, competition, started, 1940, grew, rapidly, prospered, years, decl. The Ice Capades were traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances Shows often featured former Olympic and US National Champion figure skaters who had retired from formal competition Started in 1940 the Ice Capades grew rapidly and prospered for 50 years A decline in popularity ensued in the 1980s and the show went out of business around 1995 There have been several attempts to revive the show and its name Ice Capades Inc Trade nameIce CapadesDorothy Hamill s Ice Capades 1993 1996 FormerlyIce Capades 1940 1991 Dorothy Hamill International 1993 1995 FoundedFebruary 1940 82 years ago 1940 02 in Hershey PennsylvaniaFoundersArena Managers AssociationDefunctAugust 15 1997 25 years ago 1997 08 15 Fateclosed downKey peopleJohn H Harris founder amp president 1940 1964 Dorothy Hamill president 1993 1995 ParentArena Managers Association 1940 1964 Metromedia 1964 1986 International Broadcasting Corporation 1986 1993 Dorothy Hamill International 1993 95 International Family Entertainment Inc 1995 1995 Del Wilber amp Associates 1996 1997 DivisionsThe East Company 1940 1997 Ice Cycles 1946 1956 West CompanyContinental CompanyPromotional illustration for the 1965 Ice Capades Similar traditional ice skating entertainment shows included the Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1 2 Later years 1 3 Dorothy Hamill s Ice Capades 2 Analysis 2 1 Revivals and reunions 3 Reunions 4 Productions 4 1 Ice Cycles 5 Notable skaters 6 Portable ice rinks 7 Chalet skating rinks 8 In popular culture 9 See also 10 References 11 External linksHistory EditIce Capades was founded in February 1940 in Hershey Pennsylvania by nine men who called themselves the Arena Managers Association They met to discuss forming an ice show to play in their arenas during the 1940 1941 entertainment season The arenas represented were all well known venues of the day 1 Boston Garden Massachusetts represented by Walter A Brown Buffalo Memorial Auditorium New York Louis Jacobs Cleveland Arena Ohio Al Sutphin Hershey Sports Arena Pennsylvania John B Sollenberger New Haven Arena Connecticut Nathan Podoloff brother of Maurice Podoloff Philadelphia Arena Pennsylvania Peter A Tyrrell Pittsburgh s Duquesne Gardens Pennsylvania John H Harris Rhode Island Auditorium Rhode Island Louis Pieri Springfield Coliseum Massachusetts Edward ShoreIn 1936 Harris had hired the legendary skater Sonja Henie to perform between periods of ice hockey games She created a sensation among Pittsburghers confirming his faith in ice skating s potential as a spectator amusement 2 The other arena managers agreed with this assessment chose the name Ice Capades and formed a group of skaters Early years Edit Crowd came to the show of the Ice Capades at Montreal Forum 1944 Ice Capades program from 1945 showing the many production numbers and the large size of the cast Single themed shows had not yet been developed The group s first performance was four months after its founding on June 16 1940 at New Orleans Municipal Auditorium The show closed there on June 29 and moved to Atlantic City Convention Hall where it played nightly from July 19 through September 2 Famous skaters in the large cast included Belita Vera Hruba and Robin Lee The group s first touring season under the Ice Capades name covered 24 cities between November 1940 and May 1941 1 The show s success spawned two films from Republic Pictures Ice Capades 1941 3 and Ice Capades Revue 1942 4 The films featured actors and entertainers such as James Ellison Ellen Drew Jerry Colonna and Phil Silvers as well as the Ice Capades skaters They were not considered to be films of quality and the first one was panned by The New York Times 3 In 1942 the show featured world champion skater Megan Taylor new talent Donna Atwood and an acrobatic team from Boston called the Hub Trio featuring Leonard Mullen Kenneth Mullen and Eddie Raiche They were the first in the world to perform a back flip without the use of hands The next year U S figure skating champion Bobby Specht joined the show he would be actively involved with Ice Capades for the next 31 years 1943 also introduced the Old Smoothies Orrin Markhus 51 and his partner Irma Thomas 44 plus Trixie the skating juggler The production number Toys for Sale was the first story on ice with original words and music 1 Later years Edit Ice Capades shows were extremely popular for several decades and became a household name although they were criticized by some as kitsch 5 From 1941 through 1981 the Ice Capades show was a summertime fixture at what was then known as Atlantic City Convention Hall 6 In 1946 Ice Cycles a co production was formed with Ice Follies 7 In 1949 Ice Follies left the Ice Cycles show leaving it under Ice Capades ownership 8 Starting in 1949 Ice Capades started adding Disney s character segment to their performances Costumes from those shows were used at the opening of Disneyland in 1955 and some performers were hired away by Disney 9 Harris sold the company circa 1964 to Metromedia 10 By the mid 1970s Ice Capades had grown to three different touring companies under one Ice Capades umbrella The East Company the original 1940 company the West Company and the Continental Company formed in 1974 In this period they owned several railroad baggage cars that were used to transport the show citation needed In 1986 then owner Metromedia sold Ice Capades 15 Ice Chalet skating rinks and the Harlem Globetrotters as a package to International Broadcasting Corporation for 30 million 11 Dorothy Hamill s Ice Capades Edit A decline in popularity began in the 1980s and the parent company went bankrupt in 1991 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton joined the show in 1984 but later left to start his own show Stars on Ice On June 24 1993 Dorothy Hamill who headlined the East Company from 1977 to 1984 citation needed bought Ice Capades assets in a bankruptcy sale via Dorothy Hamill International company Hamill International developed Frozen in Time Cinderella on Ice a theatrical style show billed as Dorothy Hamill s Ice Capades 12 The new company took on millions in loans to stay afloat but attendance figures remained stagnant 5 In May 1994 the Shriners dropped its sponsorship of the Christmas show in favor of Disney On Ice 13 In February 1995 Hamill sold the company for 10 million to television evangelist Pat Robertson s company International Family Entertainment IFE Hamill and her husband Dr Ken Forsythe were retained as president and CEO respectively 14 Ice Capades planned a tour of arenas as well as a TV special in China s Tiananmen Square but went out of business a short time later 5 The tour had a lackluster season which led Hamill to leave the company IFE then searched for a management firm to handle the touring company for an equity stake Instead however IFE sold Ice Capades in late 1995 to Del Wilber amp Associates while retaining the option to reacquire a majority ownership stake for 10 years 15 16 In 1996 Ice Capades and Metro Goldwyn Mayer developed The Magic of MGM which included Dairy Queen among its sponsors 17 On August 15 1997 Del Wilber shut down operations and laid off the performers IFE had apparently continued to fund the Ice Capades as a secured creditor IFE was acquired by Fox Kids Worldwide funding was halted and two scheduled tours were canceled 15 Analysis EditAnalysts believe the increasing popularity of the sport of figure skating meant that more sophisticated audiences came to prefer straightforward Olympic style ice skating competitions or skating shows for adults i e without cartoon characters such as Stars on Ice At the same time shows such as Disney on Ice featuring Disney cartoon characters successfully competed for the child audience 5 Revivals and reunions Edit In the fall of 2000 Ice Capades was resurrected by Garden Entertainment in its original format with a large cast of skaters The new show was conceived directed and choreographed by the former German pair skating champion Almut Lehmann Peyper The show was not a financial success and closed in November 2000 canceling the remaining tour dates Another attempt to revive Ice Capades was made in the spring of 2008 with plans for a tent show production called Mystika billed as Cirque Meets Ice In mid August 2008 auditions were held in Lake Placid New York for the all new Ice Capades Developed by Entertainment Holdings and Red Brick Entertainment Ice Capades was announced for production as live skating shows television specials episodic series and web content Three time U S pairs champion and two time Olympian JoJo Starbuck was named as Artistic Director 18 However in April 2009 the tour was canceled by its organizers Garden Family Shows stranding many of the performers without pay and leaving suppliers unpaid 19 Reunions EditFormer Ice Capades skaters have organized reunions typically held every five years The 2010 reunion held in Las Vegas commemorated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Ice Capades and was attended by more than 500 people 20 The 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration was held in June 2015 21 Productions EditLicensed characters and properties used in productions included A Flintstone Fantasy 1967 citation needed Hey Kids Meet The Snorks 1985 5 and The Ewoks 1986 citation needed From 1989 to 1990 as part of the show s 50th anniversary the Ice Capades had a tour that featured a variety of segments including appearances from Olympic medalist Elizabeth Manley Super Mario Bros and Barbie 22 23 On December 28 1989 ABC aired the Ice Capades in a special hosted by Jason Bateman and Alyssa Milano 24 The special was written by Bruce Vilanch 25 This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed April 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Ice Capades Tours 34th Edition featuring Gypsy Magic The Golden Hamburger Caper McDonald s characters and the precision group performing as The Rangerettes 1973 26 35th Edition featuring Stereopticon It s Christmas Every Day and the precision group referred to as the Ice Capettes performing Touch of Classe 1975 Just for You tour featuring Gym N Ice Tricks A Pinball Fantasy Happy Birthday Yogi Bear and the World Famous Ice Capettes in Those Golden Girls 1975 76 It s Magic Time tour featuring Grand Illusions Island Magic Chopin Fantasy Scooby Doo and the Gang From Magicland and the World Famous Ice Capettes in Thirty Two of a Kind 1976 Make A Wish tour featuring A Royal Welcome Flintstone Frolics An Oriental Fantasy and precision skating by the Famous Ice Capettes 1978 Star Struck tour featuring Disco Encounters Wiz City Hanna Barbera characters and Radiant Stars precision skating by the Famous Ice Capettes 1979 Let s Celebrate tour featuring Latin Fire The Magic Machine Hanna Barbera characters and the Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets in Gershwin Hit Parade 1981 Light Up the Ice tour starring Toller Cranston in select cities featuring Alice at the Wonderland Ball Journey to the Ice Age and the World Famous Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets in Precision on Parade 1981 82 Hello World Hello tour featuring Flight to Kismet Smurfs Alive Viva Vegas Viva and the Very Best Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets precision number titled That s Jazz 1982 Skates Alive tour featuring Wow It s On Ice Dingbats amp Ice Blobs and the Very Best Ice Capettes and Ice Cadets precision number titled Dudes Dolls amp Diamonds 1983 Dream World An Iced Delight tour featuring For Your Ice Only The Smurf That Learns to Fly and the Greatest Precision Skaters in the World in the Star Time finale 1984 Hooray for Ice starring Kitty amp Peter Carruthers featuring Ravel s Bolero Hey Kids Meet the Snorks The Chiller and the World s Greatest Precision skaters in Rhythms for the Now Generation 1985 Bravo America Bold Bright Beautiful tour starring Paul Martini amp Barbara Underhill featuring The Ewoks Miss Liberty and the World s Greatest Precision Skaters in Team Ice Capades 1986 The Best of Times featuring The Beatles Remembered The World of Teddy Ruxpin and the World s Greatest Precision Skaters in Top of the Line 1987 Salute to Hollywood starring Torvill amp Dean in select cities featuring Noir Et Blanc A Chess Fantasy The California Raisins and Our World Famous Precision Skaters in The Spectacles of Busby Berkeley 1988 Return to Romance starring Elizabeth Manley featuring The Reckless Voyage From the World of Nintendo Adventures of the Super Mario Brothers and the World Famous Precision Skaters in The Magic of the Can Can 1989 Golden Anniversary Edition featuring The Golden Anniversary Ball Barbie At the Big Top Inside the Ice Capades Computer and The Simpsons 1990 On Top of the World featuring A Night in Metropolis The Haunted House on Ice Mountain and the Ice Capades Precision Skaters in Sing Sing Sing 1991 Made in America starring Christopher Bowman and speed skater Cathy Turner featuring The Lovable Dolls Raggedy Ann amp Raggedy Andy Frontier Days and the World Famous Precision Skaters 1992 Ice Capades theatrical shows Frozen in Time Cinderella on Ice 1993 12 Hansel Gretel the Witch and the Cat 1994 an adaptation of Hansel and Gretel 27 The Magic of MGM September 1996 17 Ice Cycles Edit In 1946 Ice Cycles was started as a co production with Ice Follies and was designed to tour in smaller cities They used skaters and production numbers from both tours 8 7 In 1949 Ice Follies left the Ice Cycles show leaving it under Ice Capades ownership Ice Cycles continued as a second tier touring company In 1956 the Ice Cycles name was dropped in favor of the name Ice Capades 8 Notable skaters EditThese are some of the many notable skaters who appeared in Ice Capades shows or were involved in other aspects of the company 1 28 Donna Atwood Tai Babilonia Belita Judy Blumberg Dick Button Linda Carbonetto Kitty Carruthers Peter Carruthers Tiffany Chin Robin Cousins Toller Cranston Wolfgang Danne Christopher Dean John Dowding Jacqueline du Bief Michelle Duarte Harris Richard J Eichorn now known as Richie Rich 29 Todd Eldredge Peggy Fleming Randy Gardner Margot Glockshuber Michel Grandjean Silvia Grandjean Dorothy Hamill Scott Hamilton Vera Hruba Maria Jelinek Otto Jelinek David Jenkins Johnny Johns Jane Kirby Michael Kirby Sonya Klopfer Terry Kubicka Donald Knight Erik Larson Robin Lee Tommy Litz Albert Lucas Janet Lynn Karen Magnussen Elizabeth Manley Paul Martini Melissa Militano John Nicks Lynn Nightingale Eleanor O Meara Peter Oppegard Robert Paul Brian Pockar Ludmilla Protopopova Oleg Protopopov Edi Rada Guy Revell Barbara Roles Wolfgang Schwarz Barbara Ann Scott Michael Seibert Ron Shaver Ken Shelley Bobby Specht JoJo Starbuck Charlie Tickner Kay Thomson Megan Taylor Jayne Torvill Barbara Underhill Gary Visconti Barbara Wagner Jill Watson Ingrid Wendl Lorna Wighton Tim Wood Aja Zanova Elaine ZayakPortable ice rinks EditIn the early 1950s the group started using portable ice rinks called tanks This made it possible for them to perform in arenas that did not have their own ice surface greatly expanding the number of venues where the show could operate It took several days and 30 40 workers to install the tanks In the late 1960s Ice Capades designed and patented a new portable ice rink system that could be installed in less than 10 hours on most arena basketball floors or other surfaces 1 Chalet skating rinks EditIn 1966 Ice Capades bought an ice skating rink in Topanga Plaza shopping center Canoga Park California The success of this venture led to the establishment of the Ice Capades Chalet Division which owned and operated about 13 rinks ran ice skating schools and developed a curriculum that could develop a skater from beginner to competitive skater Most of the Chalets were in California and Texas others were in Arizona Georgia and North Carolina The chalets were started by Michael Kirby former voice of Ice Capades shows and eventually expanded to over two dozen facilities under the management of ISI Hall of Famer and Ice Capades VP Michael R Booker In popular culture EditThe show has been widely parodied citation needed for example by cartoonist Gary Larson s comic strip The Far Side with good natured comics captioned Ice Crusades 30 and Dirt Capades 31 See also EditDisney on Ice Ice Capades Ice Capades Revue Ice Follies Nice CapadesReferences Edit a b c d e Hamilton F F Jr 1974 Ice Capades years of entertainment Washington DC Penchant Publishing Company Ltd Biehl Mary A 2004 The Harris Family and its Ice Capades Western Pennsylvania History 87 4 37 39 Retrieved 2014 03 13 a b Crowther Bosley 1941 09 25 Ice Capades a Slow Comedy With Incidental Skating at Loew s Criterion The New York Times Retrieved April 3 2009 Ice Capades Revue AFI Catalog of Feature Films American Film Institute Retrieved September 6 2016 a b c d e Curtis Bryan March 16 2005 The Ice Capades Requiem for the ice carnival Slate The Washington Post Company Retrieved November 19 2015 Sokolic William H September 19 2006 Former Ice Capades Performers Reunite Courier Post Online Retrieved November 27 2009 a b Kirschner Betty Jean January 9 1946 BETTY JEAN KIRSCHNER Daily Illini Retrieved September 6 2016 a b c Timeline proskatinghistoricalfoundation org Pro Skating Historical Foundation Retrieved July 30 2015 Korkis Jim September 13 2005 Wednesdays with Wade 25 years of Disney on Ice JimHillMedia Retrieved July 30 2015 Hines James R 2011 04 22 Historical Dictionary of Figure Skating Scarecrow Press pp 109 119 Retrieved 2014 03 13 john h harris ice capades Rivera Nancy March 5 1986 Metromedia Will Sell Trotters Ice Capades Minnesota Company to Pay 30 Million Los Angeles Times Retrieved September 6 2016 a b Deckard Linda July 12 1993 Ice Capades sale final new owners talk plans Amusement Business Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 via HighBeam Research Sowa Tom May 5 1994 BREAKING ICE 40YEAR RELATIONSHIP ENDS Shriners fire Ice Capades hire Disney on Ice The Spokesman Review Cowles Company McClatchy Tribune Information Services Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 via HighBeam Research Deckard Linda June 13 1994 Cable TV s IFE buys Ice Capades Amusement Business Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 via High Beam a b Waddell Ray September 8 1997 Ice Capades is forced to cancel two fall tours Amusement Business Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 Mayfield Dave August 14 1995 International Family Entertainment to Sell Ice Capades The Virginian Pilot Knight Ridder Tribune Business News Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 a b Zuber Amy September 9 1996 Dairy Queen straps on its skates for Ice Capades Nation s Restaurant News Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 via HighBeam Research IceCapades tv August 16 2008 Archived from the original on January 31 2009 Ice Capades scraps international tour The Vancouver Sun Postmedia Network 70th Ice Capades Anniversary Reunion Retrieved 2011 01 18 Ice Capades 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration 2013 10 17 Retrieved 2015 04 04 Weiss Devi September 29 1989 The Ice Capades Celebrates A Half century Of Frosty Fun Orlando Sentinel Tribune Publishing Retrieved June 21 2017 Yarrow Andrew January 19 1990 Weekender Guide The New York Times Retrieved June 21 2017 Update Los Angeles Times December 28 1989 Retrieved June 21 2017 Swertlow Frank November 2 1989 Movers and shakers Los Angeles Daily News Digital First Media p L20 Bruce Villanche sic who wrote this year s Academy Awards show was in Chicago recently to fine tune the patter for the television special The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and he is also working on material for the upcoming ABC Ice Capades show with Jason Bateman which will be televised Dec 28 Hamilton Frank Ice Capades souvenir program Pena Albert October 7 1994 Dorothy Hamill s Ice Capades presents Hansel Gretel the Witch and La Prensa de San Antonio Archived from the original on September 18 2016 Retrieved September 6 2016 via HighBeam Business Hines James R 2006 Figure Skating A History Urbana Illinois University of Illinois Press ISBN 0 252 07286 3 Hruska Rachelle June 24 2008 Interview With Richie Rich Vimeo IAC Norako Leila K The Crusades and Western Cultural Imagination Rossell Hope Robbins Library University of Rochester Archived from the original on February 15 2009 Retrieved 2009 11 27 Larson Gary 1992 06 01 Cows Of Our Planet Far Side Series Andrews McMeel Publishing ISBN 0 8362 1701 2 External links EditNewsreel of 1962 Ice Capades show Includes links to others 70th Anniversary Reunion web site 2010 extensive collection of Ice Capades photos historical content etc Two program covers 2000 Ice Capades revival feature story Archived web site of 2000 Ice Capades revival Website of the 2008 Ice Capades revival Pittsburgh Post Gazette 3 22 09 Ice Capades alums say thanks for the memories Historical photo and video essay by Ice Capades alumni ae Ice Capades of 1964 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ice Capades amp oldid 1080284103, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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