Knott’s Skates to Pure American Themes

The Tour of World Figure Skating Champions doesn’t hold a monopoly on ice shows tonight. That’s also when Knott’s Berry Farm premieres its summer show.

“Diamonds on Ice: A Knott’s Celebration,” through Labor Day, pays tribute to the theme park’s 75th anniversary.

The first of the show’s four acts, “The New Ice Age,” is a futuristic number that incorporates electronic music and special effects. “Ways of the West” is a mix of contemporary and traditional country-Western tunes, set in a saloon. “Those Fabulous Forties,” set in a USO dance hall, recalls the World War II years. The finale is a contemporary patriotic salute.

“We’re trying to show a little bit of the generational changes through the 75 years of entertainment that Knott’s has given the public,” said producer Dick Foster, who put together several previous Knott’s shows and numerous productions for champion skater Peggy Fleming.

The program, in the newly refurbished Chevrolet/Geo Good Time Theatre, also takes into account the age range of park visitors.

“We have to be careful that we’re keeping the younger generation entertained without losing the older generation,” Foster said.

The 35-minute show stars Doug Mattis, winner of the 1992 U.S. Open Challenge Cup professional competition, Jennifer Lyles and the pairs team of Kevin Day and Elisa Curtis. Theme park mascot Snoopy is billed as a special guest star.

According to Foster and director David Gravatt, another Knott’s show veteran, this summer’s outing features far more dancing amid the skating.

“We have jazz, country line dancing, ‘40s swing, clogging, partner dancing,” Gravatt said. “We wanted to theatricalize ice, not just bring skating to the [stage’s] small surface. The combination of dance energized with the ability to glide hasn’t been taken to its fullest potential.”

* “Diamonds on Ice: A Knott’s Celebration” is performed three times daily except Mondays and is included with regular admission at Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Through Labor Day. $18.50 to $28.50. Call (714) 827-1776 or (714) 220-5200 (tape).