Fourth edition of Kurt Browning's Gotta Skate show set for Copps Coliseum

(CP) - Brian Orser started it all, Kurt Browning followed in his blade grooves, and Elvis Stojko capped a fabulous era in Canadian men's figure skating.

In all, the three won eight world championships between 1987 and 1997. To see them on the ice together, in the same show as will be the case Saturday night in Hamilton's Copps Coliseum, is a sweet slice of nostalgia for skating fans.

"It's a lot of fun for me to be on the ice with these two guys," Orser said during a break in practice Thursday at Copps. "I feel somewhat responsible for getting the ball rolling for men's figure skating in Canada.

"When Kurt took over in '89 I was proud of him. And then he had something to do with Elvis coming up. It was neat to see these guys take the torch. Now I get to share the ice with them."

They performed together last February during a tour of mostly small-market Canadian arenas but Browning's Gotta Skate IV takes the trio to a higher level.

The all-star cast includes Olympic pairs co-champions Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, world ice dance champion Shae-Lynn Bourne as a solo act, former Olympic champion Katarina Witt and multiple Canadian champion Jennifer Robinson.

Michael Bolton, who sings opera to open the show, and Jann Arden provide live musical accompaniment to the skating.

The show will be taped and broadcast in December on TV.

Orser, Browning and Stojko were crowd-pleasers to the max - still are.

"When we're in front of audiences, we revert back to each wanting to grab the audience's attention," said Orser. "It keeps us on our toes. But there are no egos involved."

Browning found himself doing a lot of watching Thursday.

"It's like old-home week around here," he said. "I got the cast on the ice and I realized that, inadvertently or on purpose, I had hired really good friends.

"The skating is going to be great."

Orser and Browning insist the younger Stojko won't be skating circles around them, and Stojko doesn't expect to.

"It's been a real joy," he said of getting together again with the men who paved the way for his three world titles.

Their trio routine is "an instrumental piece with fast footwork and fun stuff, some jumps, and it brings out our personalities," said Stojko.

Orser, 42, has a busy winter ahead. Besides performing, he does a lot of choreography.

"I have a full dance card for pretty much the whole season," he said. "I'm making a segue into other areas of the business.

"There's going to be a day when I'm going to have to wind down. I always say one more year but there'll come a time . . . but I'll continue on with choreography and directing."

With the NHL lockout, he envisions figure skating getting more play on television this winter.

"I have a feeling skating is on the upswing," he said. "I think the audience will come back."

Browning, 38, will be part of a December tour of Canada, Celebration On Ice, with Stojko and Robinson, and he'll be in a world team competition in Winnipeg.

Stojko, 32, is furthering his acting career this autumn with a role in Grease for two shows in Hamilton and four in Toronto.

"That's the direction I want to go," he said.

Bourne's solo act will be a highlight Saturday.

"I just saw it in practice," said Browning. "It's unbelievable.

"Whenever you saw Shae-Lynn and Victor (Kraatz) skate, you were watching Shae-Lynn. She was like a magnet. Vic was a brilliant skater to be able to show her off the way he did. She's so incredibly strong and agile and has so much personality that you can't stop watching her."

Witt travels with a personal trainer to stay fit. Her approach also is different. Comedy will be a big part of her role Saturday. All through the second act she appears and reappears with a mop and pail.