Evan debuted his new exhibition program at the Champions on Ice show in Ft. Myers, Fla. on April 7.

The tour program includes a voice over and three songs from Chris Brown, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. The "fun mix" of songs was accidental.

"I couldn't decide what music to skate to. Lori Nichol was in Los Angeles and we were going through tons and tons of music," Evan said. "I was like borderline cardiac arrest with one day left to get a program."

"So, I pulled out my iPod and looked at the recently played songs and I improved to them," he said. "Lori [Nichol] said 'ok, that's a good idea. We'll use all three of them.'"

The songs he uses in his program are "Run It" by Chris Brown, a cover of Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm" and "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley.

But since putting together the program in April, the three most recently played songs on his iPod have changed.

"I always listen to the 'First Single' by The Format," he said. Evan also regularly listens to Block Party Positive and Bowling for Soup.

"I guess I've been in a punk mood lately," Evan said.

2006 Champions on Ice Review
May 7 performance in Detroit, Mich.
By Mary Crispin

I’ve been an avid fan of figure skating all my life, eagerly anticipating each new season almost before the current one concludes. In all that time, I can’t think of a skater I’ve watched with more interest and excitement than Evan Lysacek. From the first time I saw him take to the ice, he has held my imagination and my heart. It has been a real joy to watch his career develop – each season building steadily on the achievements and momentum of the one before it. So when an opportunity came to see him skate in person, I leaped at it.

I knew that Evan would not be appearing in all cities on the tour, and from the moment I clicked to submit my online ticket order I was a bit nervous that Detroit might be a stop he had to miss. My husband and I arrived at the arena almost 2 hours before the show was to start to allow plenty of time for travel and other delays. Fortunately none occurred, and we were among the first to arrive. As soon as the doors opened, we found our way to our seats, eagerly awaiting show time!

The anticipation built as the arena filled. By the time the lights went down and the music came up, I was practically on the edge of my seat, waiting to see when, or even if, Evan would skate.

Fortunately, I didn’t have long to wait. Much to my delight, Evan was the first Champion to take the ice in the ensemble show-opener. And take it he did, appearing in a neon orange, rhinestone studded costume and skating to the pulsing beat of "Pump It" as performed by the Black Eyed Peas. Evan hit the ice running and skated with an energy that flowed up from the ice to each and every seat in the house, striking the bull’s-eye when it reached mine!

Though only a teaser for what was to come, it was nevertheless a non-stop combination of jumps, spins and flashing blades as he sped from one end of the ice to the other. A perfect beginning to the show that I believe set the tone for all the wonderful skaters that followed. I knew from the first moment that Evan was having the time of his life and was there to entertain. I also knew from that moment he would succeed.

It was a good thing for my peace of mind that Evan did skate first, as it was part way into the second half of the show before he appeared again. Wearing black sweat pants, a gray thermal weave long-sleeved shirt topped by a bright yellow T-shirt declaring "Art is Alive!" he arrived on the ice. CD player in hand, he prepared to skate to the "last three songs from his iPod!" A very daring way to pick music that could only be pulled off by someone with total command and understanding of his music and an ability to improvise. Evan showed both in abundant supply.

While I missed seeing the lyrical grace with which he skates "Time to Say Goodbye," one of my very favorite of Evan’s programs - I loved this number, too. It tickled my funny bone while it showcased Evan’s versatility as a skater and proved that Evan’s artistry on ice is indeed alive and well, in all its forms.

I first saw this fun and funky program on TV when he presented it at this years Marshall’s International Showcase. It’s even more fun seen live, as the atmosphere of the arena and the presence of a live audience enjoying it with me added a dimension not available in the isolation of my living room.

He skated this number with a playful abandon that revealed a fun-loving side of his nature only hinted at in other programs, all the while executing dance steps on ice that most have trouble achieving even on "dry" ground.

So expressive was his delivery that I felt he could’ve skated it to the "sound of silence" just as well as to the medley of "Run It," "Get Rhythm," and "Hound Dog" and still have gotten the message across. Not only was it packed with the spins and leaps we’ve seen him execute so well in competition, it was delivered with a loose-jointed style that had me grinning and chuckling from beginning to end.

Such was his command of the music that he had the added flexibility of making changes in the program, almost, it seemed, as the mood or the music dictated. I know I saw some variations this time around – one being a combination jump that didn’t appear in its first incarnation. While never knowing quite what he will do next, one thing is certain, we’ll never see him skate any of his programs exactly the same way twice.

There were still a few more brief solo moments for Evan during the closing ensemble skate. When it was his final "time to say goodbye," we were once again treated to the elegant length of line and the blurring spins and twisting leaps that have become such an integral part of Evan’s skating style.

Whenever Evan was on the ice, one thing that came across the footlights with crystal clarity was his amazing talent and absolute love of skating and his joy in sharing both with an audience. This was true whether he was shining under the glow of the solo spotlight or skating with the ensemble in its shadow. It was never more true this day than when, dressed in sparkling white that glistened even in the shadows, I caught a glimpse of Evan in position at my end of the ice during the finale.

There, so close to the end of the show, after more than two hours in performance mode and who knows how many hours of travel and performances prior to that, he still radiated the same energy and excitement that he brought to the ice at the beginning of the show. Not once did I see him out of character. He was always "in the moment," moving with the beat and sporting a beaming smile that stretched from ear to ear.

Sometimes it’s the smaller things in life that make a lasting impression. This was one such moment.

Sadly, like all great things, this spectacular show had to come to an end. There was no question that Evan was thrilled to be part of it all. Just as there was no doubt that I was thrilled to have been there to witness his performances in it.

An event so long anticipated and so quickly over begs the question, similar to the one Evan asked himself at the end of his incredibly courageous Olympic free skate, "Is that it? Did it really happen?" The answer, in both cases, was a resounding, "Yes!" and magnificently, too!

Not only is Evan a gifted and accomplished figure skater, with numerous awards and medals to his credit, he is also an uninhibited performer and consummate entertainer who reaches across the footlights, pulls his audience into every performance, and skates his way into our hearts.

For making this a day I shall forever remember I can only say, "Thanks, Evan, for the memories!" See you next season.