Ice Show to Feature Sights and Sounds of Christmas

About 100 skaters from age 3 to 50 will take to the ice Saturday for a holiday show featuring performances from Anastasia and Beauty and the Beast as part of the International Center for Excellence in Skating's 2011 Christmas Holiday Showcase.

The event will be held at noon Saturday in Arena Four of the , 1819 E. Big Beaver in Troy.

Ice show director and Theatrical Studio on ice producer Olga Volozhinskaya, Olympic choreographer, says she has fun working with the kids and watching them grow through the process.

 “Figure skating teaches kids lifelong skills. They learn how to handle obstacles and to not be afraid of anything in life,” said Volozhinskaya. “Theatrical Studio teaches them that they can fulfill their dreams.”

ICES is one of a few clubs in the country that offers Theatrical Studio. The center's Theatrical Studio took home first and second place at the 2011 National Showcase, Volozhinskaya said. ICES students come from Troy and surrounding areas but also come from as far as Holland, Canada and Russia, she said.

Along with other solo and semi-solo performances, ICES will also be showcasing their award-winning performance of Anastasia as well as a new Beauty and the Beast performance complete with larger-than-life backdrop, vivid costumes, and props, she said.

"It is all about fun and creativity. Skaters of all ages dress up in costume and use props or scenery to bring a story to life on ice," she said.

Because the event will showcase skaters of all skill levels, local residents will get the opportunity to see how they or their children could get involved in skating,  Volozhinskaya said.

"You don't want to expect a broadway show," she said. "It's like an example for the community of what they can actually do with their kids and their time. It's quite a thing to watch."

Tickets for the show are $8 for adults and $4 for children under age 12. For more information, visit www.troyices.com.