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. It’s playing to Jan. 4. Get tickets at www.thegateway.org.