Friday, November 20, 2015

Count Weircula Plays in Peoria

Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Johnny as Dracula in Nancy Kerrigan’s Halloween on Ice during the tour’s stop in my hometown: Peoria, IL. It was his twelfth performance in three weeks, with a not-fully-healed right ankle, and he was, as always, absolutely amazing. Exclusive photo © David Keyser.



Yes, there's more Halloween on Ice tour picspam! And video! Because who doesn’t want a gazillion new pics of Johnny skating in (a) a sheer red lace bodysuit or (b) a dramatic silken cloak, portraying the Vampire King as only he can? (Haha wait is that even a question...?)

Today we have complete coverage of Johnny from the Halloween on Ice tour’s stop in Peoria. As mentioned previously, we had a unique perspective at the Peoria show, where we were seated at the far end of the ice facing the skaters, rather than to the side of them at center ice. This offered more opportunities for long shots, capturing the excellent lighting effects and the beauty of the skaters—and the ice itself—in a cavernous arena. It was a whole new way to see the show, and I loved it.

As always, most of these photos are fabulously huge, so please click to revel in all their glorious detail.



For yet more picspam and video from the final tour stop in Grand Rapids, including a special encore by the skaters, please visit this post.



PART 1: Bloody Mary / Hell


Johnny’s first solo, which begins with a pairs-style moment between his Bloody Mary character and zombie Brent Bommentre...

Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
...but after the lights go out and come up again, Brent has disappeared and Johnny is revealed in all his red-lace glory, immediately launching into his high-energy skate to the Squirrel Nut Zippers.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
No one owns the ice like he does...


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
...Seriously. No one.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Ending pose.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Acknowledging the roar of the crowd.


VIDEO!




Johnny’s complete first solo, to ‘Bloody Mary’ by Lady Gaga and ‘Hell’ by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Video link.




PART 2: I Put a Spell on You


Near the end of the first Act, Johnny reappears as Dracula, intent on transforming Nancy Kerrigan’s princess character into his Queen. Full photo series and video from Peoria in this post, but here’s the video again ICYMI.



Johnny’s grand entrance as Dracula to ‘I Put a Spell on You.’ Also the source of this blooper reel posted on his Instagram.
Video link.




PART 3: The King and Queen’s Duet


The King and Queen open Act II with a lovely skating duet, then assume their thrones to enjoy entertainment from their subjects.

Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Ensconced on their thrones in the darkened arena.


VIDEO!




The King and Queen’s duet, plus the first of their evening’s entertainment: a mashup of Thriller and Heads Will Roll performed by the Pumpkinhead skaters.
Video link.




PART 4: Dracula’s Masquerade: Waltz


Once again, Johnny’s solo masterpiece was the highlight of the show, earning him (again) the longest and loudest ovation of the night.

Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Dracula arrives after the Queen’s solo, escorted by his subjects.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Viewers of all ages are completely entranced.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Ending pose. This program is simply a triumph. Worth watching over and over...


VIDEO!




Johnny’s brilliant and haunting Masquerade: Waltz as Dracula.
Video link.




PART 5: Finale


Johnny-centric footage of the cast taking their bows. Just the way we like our finales.



Video link.



BONUS PICS


From the Peoria post-show meet-n-greet, where Johnny was funny, gracious, and unfailingly kind, as always.

Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Receiving a gift from my lovely friend Angela Alvarado, who met him for the first time.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Cracking me up as he describes in his own inimitable Johnny way the exciting day off that he and other cast members enjoyed in Peoria.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
More gifts amid the ongoing hilarity.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
With Chicagoland’s Christian Scalise, founder of entertainment outlet Showbiz Deluxe, who did this awesome interview with Johnny back in 2011.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Chatting with my friend and fellow photographer Stacy McReynolds.


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
Prom pictures! With dear friend Chris Krafft...


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
...Angela...


Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser
...and Binky.


And one more of our beloved Dracula:

Johnny Weir (c) David Keyser



Exclusive photos © David Keyser.