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The Knoxville News-Sentinel Monday, August II, 1969 GRAND FINALE----the cast of Holiday on Ice takes a bow after the beautiful Christmas production in last night's dress rehearsal for the world premiere of the ice show. The show opens tonight at the Coliseum and runs through Sunday. ?╟÷News-Sentinel Staff Photo 25lh Anniversary of Spectacular Happy Holidays Here Again! HOI Opens at Coliseum Tonight By LINDA KELLEY News-Sentinel Staff Writer Happy holidays are here again with the 1969 world premiere of the Holiday on Ice Silver Anniversary show opening tonight at the Civic Coliseum. The dress rehearsal last night went as smooth as ice and the skaters are definitely ready to present a gorgeous spectacle to the opening night audience Off to a glittering start, the first production number begins a vivid celebration of the-New Year, a new show and HOI's 25th Anniversary. The Ice-Squires and the Calendar Girls whirl under pale lavender and blue lights to the Lovely Number "Happy Birthday" song, while Grete Borgen does a lovely solo number as Miss Soubrette. Champagne-like bubbles float around Marei Langenbein as she adds an elegant touch to the f e$- - tivities in her silver costume. Alice Quessy and Ray Bolmer, (Oh, how they danced) skate as a wedding couple remembering the years gone by. Then the number turns from an elegant fox-trot mood to the rock of the 1960*s> A huge bunny in a top hat adds a gay mood to the party as skaters appear with balloons and dressed in very "mod" pink, blue, and yellow velvet pant-suits. Touch of Humor A touch of humor is added when Alfredo Mendoza and John Ladue as the hilarious "Ole Houn' Dawg", turns up after the party with a party hangover. Houn' Dawg is perked up somewhat by the appearance of a lovely french poodle who scorns his advances. The St. Valentine 's Day num-j ber is charming, with Carol Johnson appearing as Miss; Funny Valentine in a solo. Juan- j ita Percelly and Tommy Allen, I a husband and wife team, skate so J>eautifully together they. WHAT: World premiere, Holiday On Ice. WHO: Outstanding performers on ice, directed by Donn Arden. WHERE: Civic Coliseum. WHEN: 8 p.m. today through Friday. 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. make their duet look like a solo, too. Family Act The Cook Family?╟÷Cal, Dori, Kim, Kris and Kelly?╟÷give a touch of spring to the show as they skate to "Stormy Weather" in raincoats and umbrellas. "Pennies From Heaven" fall as Kim and Mr. Cook do a delightful father-daughter duet. A 200-pound toy soldier leads the band as animals dance to the tune of xylophone-playing chorus girls and show that they truly belong to 'The Mad, Mod World of April Fools." Ronnie Robertson appears in the next number with 9 spotlights trained on his every dra matic expression. He skates with amazing energy and talent to "Pagliacci," a famous opera, and demonstrates why he is the star of this fantastic production. 'Mexican Monkeying' Werner Muller's Holiday Chimps ham it up in "Mexican Monkeyin," spinning and jumping rope in their own variety of high-jinks. A pagan touch is added to the show in "A Roman Holiday." Ray Balmer appears with Marei Langenbein as the Hero and the Golden Goddess in a number rich with elegance. j Cleopatra and Marc Antony couldn't have been as funny as are Paul Andre and Johnny Leech in their bouncing-bed and| bathtub routine appearing in "Leave 'Em Laughing." Easter is a composition of elegance and comedy as the Glam- our-Icers and Ice-Squires take an old-fashioned walk dressed in delicately-colored costumes of the 1890's. Grete Lorgen and John LaDue See HOI, Page 2 HOI Ops at Coliseum Starts on Page One appear in "A Baby Buggy Romance" in this number and "baby" pulls a switch on "Dad." Juanita Percelly and Tommy Allen do a bouncing comedy-hobo number, definitely in contrast to the dignified Easter Parade following them. The precision skating of theli chorus in "Fireworks"?╟÷-It's Independence Day" seems impossi- (] ble with so many skaters, but they make it look as easy as pie. Alice Quessy adds the rhythm and mood to the number as she appears as Miss Star Spangled Jazz. Her high-kicks are very, very high. "That Perfect Pair" you see in the next number are Alfredo Mendoza and Darolyn Prior, who are the show's adagio act. Their skating is acrobatic, and even more so as some uninvited participants get into the act. The beat of bongo drums sets the pace for the "Holiday In Rio" number which follows, as Grete Borgen and Ray Balmer become the Boy friend and the Girl from Ipanema. The skaters in bright greens, oranges, and pinks become iridescent under the black spotlights beamed on them. Kernel and the Pearl, who are Johnny Leech and Paul Andre, pole fun at the fried chicken j business in their exploding, comedy car. They are hilarious in "Those Chicken Delites." Adorable Witches precede Ronnie Robertson in his second number ac he appears as the Devil's Disciple. He stirs up his j own brand of "ole' black magic." Giant gnarled trees peer out! at the audience in the Autumn Holiday number, while life-size scarecrows watch the skaters put on an old-fashioned hoe- down. Kossmayer's mules, the unrideable ones, appear in this year's show. They are frisky as ever, and provide a real challenge to those souls brave enough to try to ride them. Christmas is the grand finale and, undoubtably, the most beautiful number in the show. Ballerinas dressed in white, chorus girls dressed in hoop-skirts, which light like Christman trees and Santas galore skate beneath gorgeous combinations of lights while gentle smonw falls on them A spectacular end to an unforgettable show. The credits go to the director Donn Arden, to the President of HOI, Morris Chalfen and to the Production Director John Finley, as well as to their numerous assistants. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the holidays, with Holi day On Ice, now through Aug. 17. Tickets are still available at the Coliseum and at Miller's in Oak Ridge. _____