2002 Olympic Champion Sarah Hughes Debuts in the Emmy Award Winning Production, Beginning Its 19th Annual U.S. Touring Season January 5, 2005

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Smucker's Stars on Ice, America's most theatrical figure skating tour and Emmy Award winning production, once again accelerates its artistry when it begins its 19th consecutive U.S. touring season January 5 through April 9, 2005.

Smucker's Stars on Ice will be co-headlined by a cast that incorporates seven Olympic gold medalists including reigning 2002 Olympic Champion Sarah Hughes (who makes her much anticipated debut with the production) and returning cast members: 2002 Olympic Champions Jamie Sale & David Pelletier, Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze, and Alexei Yagudin, along with World Champion Todd Eldredge, World Bronze medalists Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman, and eight-time British National Champion Steven Cousins. Two-time Olympic Champion Ekaterina Gordeeva and World Champion Yuka Sato will also be alternating as touring cast members in select markets. Additionally, Special Guest stars will appear in each market throughout the tour.

Breaking new ground with its theme of Time during its 2004 U.S. touring season, critics and audiences from coast to coast heralded the production as one of the most exhilarating Stars on Ice experiences ever. Distinguished dance critic Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times most aptly said "...the show soars to new heights," a true testament to the show's provocative creative team -- Director/Choreographer, Emmy Award winner and Olympic Champion Christopher Dean; Director/Costume Designer and two-time Emmy Award winner Jef Billings; and Olympic Champion and skating icon Scott Hamilton -- who co-founded Stars on Ice in 1986 and has since served as a Producer.

Hamilton, Dean and Billings promise a cavalcade of comedy and pathos, evolving from a new theme entitled Imagination. Set within an atmosphere of whimsy, fantasy, wonderment and mind-boggling magic, audiences can expect the unexpected, not to mention dazzling offerings on a menu of spectacular surprise.

For further tour information, including a complete list of tour cities and performance dates, and the opportunity to participate in an advance internet pre-sale of tour tickets now through November 5, 2004 only, please visit http://www.starsonice.com. The national on sale date for tickets on the internet and at venue box offices and/or ticket agencies in each tour city will begin November 8, 2004.

The all-new production will "preview" at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York, Saturday, November 27, 2004.

The J.M. Smucker Company continues to serve as title sponsor of Stars on Ice. "We are proud to be the title sponsor of the world's foremost skating tour, Smucker's Stars on Ice," said Smucker's President & Co-Chief Executive Officer Richard Smucker. "Building upon the excitement generated by last year's tour, this year's theme, 'Imagination' combines the creative genius of Scott Hamilton with performances by world-class figure skating talent and remarkable special effects to provide a truly memorable theatrical experience."

Not only does Smucker's and Smucker's Stars on Ice represent wholesome, family entertainment, but it acknowledges the literacy and education initiatives of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Now 144 years young, the organization has grown to serve over 4 million youth annually in 3400 Boys & Girls Clubs in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands plus domestic and international military bases. A portion of the proceeds from each tour ticket sold will be donated by Smucker's Stars on Ice to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Smucker's Stars on Ice is an IMG Production. Executive Producers are Robert D. Kain and Gary V. Swain. Byron Allen produces with Scott Hamilton.