Performance of Dr. Seuss classic puts entertainment on ice
‘Grinch on Ice’ draws crowds to watch local skaters
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Simi Valley Acorn

Simi Valley Easy Street Ice Arena was transformed into a theatrical stage last weekend as more than 65 skaters, most of them local, participated in “The Grinch on Ice” holiday skating show.

Put on by the Tri-County Youth Productions Corporation, the performance of the Dr. Seuss classic was held Friday and Saturday nights to sizable crowds. Lauri Varvais, the arena’s skating director and TCYPC founder, served as choreographer.

“It’s a lot of fun, and we had kids of all ages performing, and they are very excited to perform,” Varvais said. “It gives them a taste if they ever wanted to enter the Ice Capades.”

Skaters ranging in age from preschoolers to teenagers and one adult took part in the show.

“The higher test skaters are doing double jumps, flying camels, death drops and Russian splits,” Varvais said. “The little babies are doing their dips and swivels and two-foot hops.”

In the opening number, Snowflakes dressed in blue with white crinoline skirts dipped and spun to “Snow,” recorded by Bing Crosby.

Ashley Cooke, 12, a student at Sinaloa Middle School, added comic bits to her solo as the Grinch’s dog, Max.

“I’m out there skating my heart out,” Ashley said. “Max is very energetic.”

Gabriella Weissman, 14, played the infamous Grinch. The Simi Valley resident, who’s been skating since age 2, said she added some advanced moves to her numbers.

“It’s really fun being the Grinch because he has a lot of different personalities,” Gabriella said. “He has a mean side and the nice side. It’s really cool to be able to act all those different parts.”

The character of Cindy Lou Who was skated by Song King, 13, of West Hills.

“I like this role because Cindy is very expressive,” Song said. “She’s determined to make sure the Grinch is happy during Christmas and everybody understands him.”

Later in the show, tiny tykes dressed as Christmas tree bulbs bounced to jazzy music. In another number, teenage skaters ringed with plastic trashcans playfully bumped into each other.

In the end, of course, the Grinch embraces the Christmas spirit with the same gusto shown by the lively cast.

This year, more than 300 people attended each of the three performances. The show delighted parents, grandparents and siblings as well as second- and third-graders from local Girl Scout Troop 340.

“We came to the show as part of our holiday celebration,” said Diane Gutierrez, the troop’s leader.

Simi resident Sara McNicoll watched her daughter, Kelly, 7, perform as a Candy Cane in the show. Like many other moms, McNicoll helped out backstage.

“I’m one of the moms who helps the skaters get on the ice on time and helps them find lost mittens,” she said.

Varvais said the annual holiday shows came about four years ago because organizers at the ice arena wanted their skaters to take part in something that wasn’t competitive like their typical performances. Along with Amanda Johnson,

the show’s co-producer, Varvais said she wanted to put together an event that focused on the fun side of skating.

“We wanted to have a fun outlet for the kids and for them to meet other kids from different levels and kind of bring everybody together,” Varvais said.

The first show the duo produced four years ago was “Princess of the Forest,” a Snow White story.

“We didn’t expect the response that we got,” Varvais said. “Before the show was over, the kids were asking, ‘What are we going to do next year?’”