Skating show to feature champions, holiday themes

Starring a world champion roller skating team, "Christmas on the West Side' will mix it up with a seasonal motif and a Broadway favorite.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 27, 2002

World champion roller skaters Adam White and Melissa Quinn will star in the fifth annual roller skating show, Christmas on the West Side, on Sunday at SpinNations Roller Skating Center in Port Richey.

The show is traditionally presented before Christmas, but because many performers were in competitions in the United States and other countries at the usual time, it was scheduled for after the holiday.

Still, many numbers will have a holiday theme, said Angela Serini, publicist for Florida Skating Academy, the sponsor of the event.

A 17-member group will perform one scene in angel costumes. Others will be in tin soldier outfits.

U.S. Free Dance and Sophomore Team Dance champions Mark Cropley, 22, and Rebecca Pallesen, 16, will make their first appearance in the organization's annual show.

The show's biggest number, though, features 30 skaters performing to songs from the Broadway musical West Side Story. In this segment, Ms. Quinn will portray Maria, the Puerto Rican girl in love with Tony, the former leader of a rival gang. White will portray Tony.

The pair won gold medals in World Championships in 2000 and 2001 and won silver in 1998 and 2002. They also won gold medals in the Pan American Games in 1999 and in the World Games in Japan this year. They have been U.S. World Class Dance Champions 1999-2002.

Others in the show have won medals at regional, national and world competitions.

The director is Dan Littel.

The show is about two hours long. The shows are at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before each show for open seating. Each show will have seating for about 300 people.

At a glance

WHAT: Christmas on the West Side

WHERE: SpinNations Roller Skating Center, 8345 Congress St., Port Richey

WHEN: 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.

TICKETS: $6 in advance; ticket office is open 1 to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. $8 at the door.

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