Kurt Browning was a full-time member of the US cast from 1994
through 2003, only missing one year, in 1999, when he took the year
off for family reasons (his mother was ill, and passed away the next
year). However, he has never missed a Canadian tour, and 1999 was no
exception. This was the year that saw the introduction of
Rag-GIDON-Time, originally conceived as part of the larger clown
ensemble and theme for that year's tour, but which soon took on a life
of its own. That program (music chosen by Michael Seibert,
choreography by Sandra Bezic and Kurt) became one of Kurt's signature
programs, leading them to bring it back for the 2000 US tour, and to
continue the character throughout both 2000 tours. In the 1999 tour,
Raggy the clown wants to get on the ice and go skating with the rest
of the clowns, but is rejected (sending him into a temper tantrum and
leading him to wander around the periphery of the ice throughout the
Nosin' Around number). This led in beautifully to the actual
choreography of the Rag-GIDON-Time program, about Raggy, who finally
gets on the ice, but just doesn't seem to quite have control over his
body or his skates. Kurt also did some great work with Christopher
Dean that year. The two created an intricate, different program to
"Ain't No Sunshine", and put together a somber tango with Tara
Lipinski to the music of Malaguena.
In 1999, Stars on Ice also went
to Germany with Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Orser, Kurt
Browning, Mandy Wötzel & Ingo Steuer, Maria Butyrskaya, Jenni Meno &
Todd Sand, Shae-Lynn Bourne & Victor Kraatz, and Steven
Cousins.
Nosing Around - Tara Lipinski, Brian Orser, Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler, Josee Chouinard, Lu Chen, Steven Cousins, Jenni Meno & Todd Sand and Kurt Browning (58MB, wmv)
My favorite? There are so many, but I guess it would have to go back
to Raggy. It was one of the shows in Canada, and I had an idea to wear
red clown noses when we knew Raggy was coming up. Since we'd seen the
show before we knew exactly when to put them on....so we did. There
were quite a few of us scattered around the arena in ice seats wearing
red noses. So, I was sitting there watching the show and I happened to
look to my left and saw Raggy (er..Kurt) sitting on the screen in the
corner miming laughing at us and pointing. Next thing I knew...PLOP!
He came and sat right on my lap and proceeded to watch the rest of the
current skater's program (so long ago, I can't remember who it
was)....and he just sat there and watched, never coming out of
character....didn't say anything but he goofed around with us and we
had a blast. After the show, we posed in our red noses with him. I
still laugh when I see that picture. There are so many more memories,
but that one is definitely at the top. Thank you, Kurt! - Debi
