The upcoming home season performances from the Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY, icetheatre.org) on May 1–2 and 4 will include two world premieres, as well as some familiar programs from the ensemble skating company. ITNY’s benefit gala and performance on May 4 will include U.S. Olympians and World bronze medalists Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik.
Among the skaters performing is Emmanuel Savary, 28, who earlier this year competed at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. He will perform a version of his competitive short program, set to Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Moira North, ITNY founder and artistic director, recalled first inviting Savary to skate a solo for a Black History Month show when he was around 11 years old.
“Almost every year he’s done a performance with us,” said North. “To see him develop into such an extraordinary artistic skater is a great pleasure.”
The honoree at the benefit gala and performance is 2022 Olympic gold medalist, three-time World Champion, and six-time U.S. Men’s Champion Nathan Chen, the “Quad King,” who will not be skating. In his honor, three male skaters will perform solos. There will also be performances by Danil Berdnikov and Vakhtang Murvanidze. “They all show different types of artistic skating that display virtuosity,” said North.
The event will be the world premiere of “Wheels of a Dream,” choreographed by Olympian Kaitlyn Weaver and set to music from the musical version of “Ragtime.” ITNY company members Aaron Singletary and Liz Yoshiko Schmidt will skate the program. “It’s very touching and it has brought Aaron into another level of performing with his arms, his body, his face. He’s really embraced this piece,” said North.
Singletary said the theme of the program resonates: His character is a father eager to show his child the world, and Singletary is a new father, having welcomed a baby last December.
“Kaitlyn was the driver behind the song choice, and I wanted her to sink her teeth into whatever she wanted so we could do something we all enjoy and can connect with,” he said. “I’ve wanted to skate with Liz for a while because we’ve been working on pair skating for the past couple of years … Training for these performances has definitely reminded me of my competition days.”
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