Stars on Ice missing some spark

The annual Stars on Ice show glided into KeyArena on Friday, with a new headliner (glamorous 2006 Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen), and some splendid pair skaters in tow.

But much missed this year are some of the franchise's most entertaining skaters (e.g. Kurt Browning), and finest choreographers (Christopher Dean, Sandra Bezic). And the current show has more lackluster choreography (credited solely to show veteran Cindy Stuart), schlocky music (TV theme songs!), and inept comedy than usual.

As the U.S.'s elite amateur skating world is in a rebuilding phase, after the retirement from competition of Cohen, Michelle Kwan and other champs, Stars on Ice also seems to be in transition.

The fashion code is fun, sparkly and sequined. And in athletic terms, the skaters excel.

At the Key, charismatic Olympian Ilia Kulik's triple jumps were still wondrously ethereal. Michael Weiss skated with vigor and polish. And crowd favorite Todd Eldredge performed cleanly, if blandly.

More exciting: the pairs. Newcomers Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, of China, are two-time bronze Olympians and a pleasure to behold. To a Michael Bublé tune, they looked jazzy and elegant, dispatching double-jump throws and backhanded lifts with precision and joy.

Also, new to the cast, Canadian ice-dance champs Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon added playful spice with their "Fire" number, and fluid romanticism in a duet to a Billy Joel ballad.

The tiny Kyoko Ina and towering John Zimmerman, Stars on Ice regulars, are still great daredevils, executing thrilling lateral catches, and stunner dangling-by-the-knee moves.

As for Cohen, she's best in a skateless turn as a contortionist doll. And her limberness always impresses — those amazing back bends! Those knee-to-nose leg lifts!

But artistically, Cohen's solo skates were ho-hum compared with the fiery choreography of her Olympic routines. And she had trouble with some jumps.

Finally, Canada's Jennifer Robinson is a pleasant skater, but she's saddled with most of the stand-up comic bits. A comedienne, she's not.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com