With almost 400 skaters, comprised of 170 cast members, nine teams for Team Excel, six teams for TOI of Boston, and forty-five Skating Academy kids, it was a real stretch of the imagination to envision it all coming together. Yet, this year’s Ice Chips did not disappoint.  Under the guidance of Show Director and Creative Producer Timothy LeBlanc, and Head Choreographer Michael Phaneuf, the creative team of Adam Blake, Pippa Teague, Linda Blount, Merita Mullen, Mandy Curtin, Keri Lee-Clancy, Melanie Lambert, Deidre Williams, and Christie Allen-Piper wove together a show that took the audience on an action-packed journey filled with spectacular music selection, dazzling costumes, and a dramatic light show display. All these elements complimented the joyful skating of Club members, in their solos, step-outs, and production numbers.

This year’s guest stars brought their individual and fresh styles to each of their numbers.  Ryan Bradley’s cowboy-inspired program got the crowd stomping, and his signature backflip awed spectators. The hometown audience for Ross Miner gave him thunderous applause and let him know in no uncertain terms how much he is loved and adored here in Boston.  Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker performed a moving and artistic dance routine during the first act, and then thrilled the audience with a fun and crowd-pleasing performance to music from Austin Powers during act two.  And, of course, Ashley Clark’s performance was literally on fire and wowed everyone with its special effects of lighting and fire.

Ice Chips has always been the opportunity for the Club’s membership to come together as one, after a busy season of skating in different directions. The show is a celebration of everyone’s accomplishments and the sheer joy of skating.  The Club’s show is unique for its longevity, robust size, volunteer management, and professional design and execution.  No other club show in the country is as well-organized, beautifully skated, and professionally presented as Ice Chips.

The show’s success was almost due entirely to the many volunteers who made significant contributions of time and passion to make the show possible.  Ice Chips Co-Chairs Meg Beriau, Eric and Ronellen Gagnon, Jo-Anna Lloyd, and Katharine Steeger worked closely with the many volunteers who kindly and generously donated their time and expertise. Without volunteers pitching in and taking on major roles, it would be impossible for the Club to do Ice Chips each year.  It really does take a village to support a cast of almost 400 skaters and bring their magic to the ice. It’s a large part of what makes the show so special. And, this year’s 106^th Ice Chips show exemplified once again the proud results when a community comes together with a single purpose and lets their imagination take flight.