Olympics stars add lots of glitter to toned-down Stars on Ice show

In sync with the leaner economic times, the newest Stars on Ice show touring the country is a less flashy affair than in years past. It has a toned-down aura, muted costuming (lots of bluejeans) and lacks some of its most popular former cast members: Kristi Yamaguchi, Ilya Kulich and Tara Lipinski (who's out temporarily due to an injury).

Despite that, and with fewer impressive ensemble numbers and thematic linkages than usual, there was enough championship-level agility and artistry to make Saturday's Stars on Ice performance at KeyArena quite enjoyable.

Much of the pleasure came from such assured skate champs as Kurt Browning, Katarina Witt and Todd Eldredge. But the crowd also got a closer look at several 2002 Olympic gold medalists: figure skater Alexei Yagudin, and two pairs who shared gold at Salt Lake City after a notorious judging scandal: Canadian figure-skate duo Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, and Russian team Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze.

At KeyArena, Sale and Pelletier logged more ice time and shone brightly in two form-fitted duets. In the blithe, sleek "Come Fly With Me," vivacious Sale was like a white bird lifted aloft again and again by Pelletier, to a snazzy rendition of an old Frank Sinatra tune choreographed with panache by Christopher Dean and Michael Siebert.

The duo also excelled in a sensuous duet devised by Stars on Ice director Sandra Bezic, to Journey's "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin.' "

In their one featured number, Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze went for a hokey novelty routine: a musical encounter between Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. It was a crowd pleaser, but what a shame we didn't get to see this Russian pair in the classical, lyrical mode, which is their forte.

Yagudin, in Seattle just last year with a rival ice show, is a more boyish presence than expected, given his tremendous blade power. As the show's resident young hunk, he donned a leather jacket to do some cheerful bump and grind to Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild," punctuated by marvelous triple jumps. And in "Racing," Yagudin streaked across the ice like a human bullet train and zapped through a passage of breathtaking footwork.

Just as welcome was Browning's smooth maturity in a charming solo backed by a Tony Bennett tune, and his splendid, mock-klutzy cavorting to a blues song.

Witt contributed her earthy elegance to a sultry "Blues in the Night" trio (partnered by pair skaters Gorsha Sur and John Zimmerman), and a lovely rendition of a Barbra Streisand ballad.