White Canvas`Productions

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White Canvas'Productions
'Collaboration and Creativity -' on Stage and Behind the Scenes
"White. A blank page 'or <;anvas.' His favot:ite. So mal1:Y'possibiHties."These words from Sunday
in the Park with George, StephenSondheim and James Lapine's musical about painter Georges
Seurat,.:have inspired creativity 'on another type of "canvas'; - ice. White Canvas Productions
Inc., the figure skating production company founded in 1995 by Brian Boitano, Doug Zeghibe,
and Franc D'Ambrosio, explores the artistic and entertainment potential 'of figure skating
through television specials and live perfonnances. "My canvas is ice.;. and ice is white,"
muses Boitano. "We're always looking for fresh ideas'that haven't been done.';
This year, White Canvas will pay tribute to vintage ice shows such as the Ice Capades and Ice
Follies, presenting a fresh look at a format unfamiliarto manyoftoday's
skaters and audiences.
In preparation for the sixth annual Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacula1', Boitano researched the
old shows, which he enjoyed seeing as a child. The special, sponsored by Metabolife, will play'
live in Las Vegas in December and air on NBC New Years Day. Pop sing~r Jessica Simpson
and Olympic Speed Skating Champion Apolo Anton Ohno will ,also appear. Pasf Skating
Spectacular shows have featured top skaters perfonning with acrobats, musicians, an4 modem
dance company Pilobolus. "It's important to get ideas from a variety of places . ;.' to layer ' '
elements to creatively interest audiences," says Boitano.
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Not content to repeat past s~ccesses,.Boitano, Zeghibe, and 'D' Ambrosio 'Challenge themselves,
on stage and behind the scenes - "in front of the curtain; and behind it," Zeghibe explains. In
addition to the annual Skating Spectacular, White Canvas has created and produced a variety of
shows, including the Skating Romance series (NBC), Skating Kicks Back: Country Music &
More (USA), Three Masters of Ice (Turner), and Skate Against Hate (USA). Zeghibe recalls
that when they began, they had no roadmap to follow. "The shows we do are so theatrical,
creative, and original in fomiat," he says. 'Zeghibe manages the production behind the curtain,
while Artistic Director Bojtanoleads the, effort in 4"ontof the curtain. D'Ambrosio, Zeghibe
describes, was central to the company's founding ~nd is "the glue" that keeps the collaborati()n
true to its mission and spirit.
White Canvas' mission goes beyond the artistic, beyond profit. The company seeks'talented
skaters and staff who work well together - and who may not have had the opportunity to
participate in prestigious events. Says Boitano, "I love surprising the audience with lesser
known talent
[~eie ,are] so many mcr~dible skaters with limited visibility." Backstage,
Zeghibe takes a.similar approach, "right down to the ,production and assistant level." Acclaimed
skaters Yvonne Gomez and Scott Williams now work behind the scenes with White Canvas.
Choreographer Lea Ann Miller, a four-time U.S. Pairs' medallist, Olympian, and accomplished
professional skater, has "given us some amazing shows," says Zeghibe. Remarks Steve Disson,
President of Disson Skating and Executive' Producer of many White Canvas specials, "It's a
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good combination, a collaborative; effort. TlleY,bring som.ethi1lgJar more than just [skating] ...
they give op,portunity, knowing the be~t people aren't necessarily the best known people."
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What will the future hold for White Canvas? "Professional shows are needing some fresh
fonnats," states Boitano. All agree that creating a live;showthat also works for television
presents achallelJ,ge. "It's important to keep thesponsor,s, site, ~d networks happy," Disson
says, noting that the Skating Spectacular specials have consistently earned strong ratings.,
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Zeghibe adds that trey can,coUnt on ~Qitano's loyal fans to provide, input~ Eachyear,:fan club
members attend the show,in Las Vegas, along with local audiences and tourists. "We receive
mail, email, compliments, suggestions - wha~ worked, what didn't work ... great audience
feedback.'"
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As Boitano, Zeghibe, and D'Ambrosio prepare, f()rthis year's Skating Spectacular, they're
already thinking ahead, loggmg'ideas for future White Canvas events. With I;!achZamboni run,
the white canvas of ice again becomes blank., ,"A blank page or capvas ... So many
pos~ibilities."
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About White Canvas Producti~ns. Inc.
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Franc D'Ambrosio
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Franc D'Ambrosio is a world~renowned, Grammy-nominated singer. He starred in the San Francisco
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Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera for six years, earning the title of "World's
Longest Running Phantom." D'Ambrosio appeared as Anthony Corleone in the Oscar-nominated motion
picture Godfather III, as well as the 'filmS Jungle Fever and Kurt Weill in Amerika (BBC). He has performed in
Broadway and Off-Broadway productions,including Sweeney Todd, Kismet, She Loves Me, a LittleNight
Music, and Elisabeth TakesHt:r Leave.
Brian Boitano
Olympic Clliunpion, two-time World Champion, four-time U,S. National Champion, five-time World
Professional Champion, and Emmy winner,Brlan Boitano is both a legend and an active creative force in the
world of figUre skatIDg.'His evolutlOll as 'an athlete, artist, and entertafuer openS doors for others to experience
figure skating in new ways. In 1998, Boitano, coach/manager Liilda Lever; and Doug Zeghibe fOlUlded'Brian
Boitano's Youth Skate, a program thatprovidenkating instruction to school children at the Verba-Buena Ice
Skating Center in San Francisco.
Doug Zeghibe,
In addition to running, White Canvas, Doug Zeghibe
is Founder and President of Bluecat Entertainment, Inc" a
specializing in the <k.velopment artd production pffigureskating events. A ,
sportslentertainmentcompany
former competitive skater, he began working inproduction as an undergraduate student at Harvard Unive~ity,
when he co-chaired An Evening 'with Champions iCe show. He went on to earn an MBA at Stanford University.
Zeghibe was Executive Director of the 2001 U.S; Figure Skating ChampionShips and Executive Producer in
2002. He returns as Executive Director in 2003. "
Jaya Kana/ is'~ writer, figure skatingprofessiona/, and PFSC member.'