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Ice Follies
Ice Follies
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The Ice Follies, formerly known as the Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies, is a touring ice show featuring elaborate production numbers, similar in concept to Ice Capades. It was founded in 1936 by Eddie and Roy Shipstad and Oscar Johnson.[2][1] In later years, Olympic skaters such as Donald Jackson, Barbara Berezowski, Peggy Fleming, and Janet Lynn were in the cast.[citation needed] Ice Follies also featured novelty acts such as Frick and Frack[3] and Richard Dwyer, who was billed as "Mr. Debonair".[4]

Key Information

The production company is now called Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice, Inc., a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment which produces the shows under the Disney on Ice and "... on Ice" titles. Feld formed the new subsidiary from the Ice Follies and U.S. Holiday on Ice touring companies.

The show was a variety show that included a chorus line called The Ice Folliettes, which led to synchronized figure skating, that famously precisely performed a kick line and pinwheel on ice.[1]

History

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Ice Follies founders Roy Shipstad, Oscar Johnson, and Eddie Shipstad

Son of Swedish parents who had migrant to St. Paul, Minnesota, typewriter salesman Eddie Skeppstedts (later Shipstads) became friends with chemist Oscar Johnson skating at local lakes. They practiced skating stunts together and were hired as halftime entertainment for the local professional hockey team and then for the National Hockey League New York Rangers.[2]

Eddie's brother Roy - himself a successful amateur skater - would later join them to perform charity shows and eventually as the Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies.[2]

Ice Follies produced the first large scale, professional touring show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 7, 1936.[1][5][6] Ice Follies was featured in the Joan Crawford film, The Ice Follies of 1939, MGM's answer to the popular Sonja Henie films of the time.[5] Frick and Frack, the comic skating duo, joined the show in 1939.[3]

In 1946, Ice Follies began co-producing Ice Cycles with Ice Capades.[7] In 1949, Ice Follies left the Ice Cycles show, leaving it under Ice Capades' ownership.[5] In 1950, Roy Shipstad retired from performing and recruited Richard Dwyer to take over his role of "Debonair" as the "Young Debonair". By 1966, "Young" was dropped from the role title that later became "Mr. Debonair".[4] Frack became ill in 1954 ending the duo,[3] but Frick continued at Ice Follies with other partners.[8]

In the mid-1960s, Thomas Scallen took an executive position with Ice Follies which he eventually bought[9] in 1964.[10] The Ice Follies were placed within General Ice Shows, Inc., a subsidiary of Scallen's Medical Investment Corporation. General Shows purchased Holiday on Ice (HoI) by August 1971. After lawsuits filed by HoI's Chaffen[11] and Arthur Wirtz were resolved in August 1971 and February 1976 respectively,[12] Wirtz gained ownership of both shows.[13]

Ice Follies at 1962 World's Fair 02

Mattel's Irvin & Kenneth Feld Productions purchased the Ice Follies and the Holiday on Ice from Wirtz for $12 million in 1979.[13] The company soon approached Disney about doing a Disney-related show on ice.[14]

Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice

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Ice Follies merged with Holiday on Ice in 1980, operating as a combined show in 1980 and 1981. The first Disney's World on Ice began touring in 1981.[1][14]

Frick suffered a career ending injury in 1980.[8]

In 1995, the company branched out from Disney's World on Ice with The Wizard of Oz on Ice,[15] the first of the Classic Ice Spectaculars.[16] Disney's World on Ice launched its first international tour in 1986 starting in Japan,[16] had five different touring units by 1988,[17] and changed its name in 1998 to "Disney on Ice".[18] The first ice show done in conjunction with 20th Century Fox was Anastasia On Ice starting in 1998.[19]

Ice Follies also expanded to perform Grease on Ice as early as 1999.[20] Based on the Disney Channel original movie, High School Musical was launched as an ice tour in 2006 and lasted three years, despite having been originally expected to last one year.[21]

Shows

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References

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from Grokipedia
The Ice Follies, formally known as the Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies, was a pioneering American touring ice founded in 1936 by brothers Eddie Shipstad and Roy Shipstad alongside their partner Oscar Johnson, blending professional , routines, , and theatrical musical numbers in large-scale arena productions. Originating from informal skating performances on frozen lakes in the late , the show evolved into a professional with its first major engagement in 1935 at Chicago's Hotel Sherman, before launching nationwide tours starting November 7, 1936, in . The production quickly gained popularity for its innovative format, which featured precision ensemble skating akin to a chorus line, elaborate sets, and live orchestras, drawing audiences across the and while occasionally venturing to international venues in Central and South , the , Africa, , and the , including a notable performance in an ancient amphitheater in . Key performers who defined the show's appeal included the Swiss comedy duo , who joined in 1937 and became synonymous with ice routines involving falls and spins, as well as Olympic champions like and pairs skaters such as Evelyn Chandler and Richard Dwyer, who showcased technical artistry alongside variety acts. The Ice Follies played a pivotal role in popularizing as family entertainment during its peak in the mid-20th century, influencing the development of rival shows like and Holiday on Ice, and helping to establish touring ice revues as a major cultural phenomenon in the 1930s and 1940s. The company remained under the original founders and their associates until the late 1970s, when it was acquired in 1979 by Mattel Inc. through its subsidiary Irvin and Kenneth Feld Productions from Wirtz Productions Ltd., which merged it with Holiday on Ice and eventually rebranded elements into the series starting in 1981, marking the end of the original Ice Follies format after over four decades of performances.

Founding and Early Years

Origins and Founders

Ice Follies was founded in 1936 by brothers Eddie Shipstad and Roy Shipstad, along with Oscar Johnson, all native to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they honed their skating abilities on local frozen lakes and ponds such as Como Lake. Eddie Shipstad, a former salesman, and Johnson, a chemist by training, developed comic skating routines together, while Roy Shipstad, an accomplished solo skater who had won amateur titles, performed elegant numbers. The trio's backgrounds in local skating exhibitions and arena activities, including halftime shows for hockey games starting in 1924, laid the groundwork for their venture. The initial concept for Ice Follies arose as a touring ice that fused athletic skating with theatrical elements, drawing inspiration from comedy and the Shipstad brothers' prior informal shows in St. Paul, such as acts at the St. Paul and impromptu pond performances. These early efforts, often featuring daring stunts and humorous skits coordinated to music, evolved from small-scale entertainments at local rinks and hockey venues into a professional production aimed at broader audiences. The group's first major professional engagement came in 1935 with an eight-week run at the College Inn of Chicago's Hotel Sherman, which proved highly successful and sold out, paving the way for the full touring production. Launched during the , the show was structured as accessible, family-friendly entertainment to provide amid economic struggles, starting with a modest troupe of young skaters transported by bus and supported by a live . In its early organization, Eddie Shipstad and Oscar Johnson handled much of the choreography and comic performances, with Roy Shipstad contributing as a lead skater and the group collectively managing production logistics to facilitate touring. This collaborative approach enabled the to premiere successfully despite the era's challenges.

Debut Performances

The Ice Follies made its debut on November 7, 1936, at the Tulsa Coliseum in , marking the premiere of the first large-scale professional touring ice show. The inaugural production featured a cast of approximately 30 performers, including figure skating champions, who presented a variety of acts such as colorful waltzes, quadrilles, ice ballets, comedy skits, and musical numbers performed on a painted ice surface. Founded by Eddie Shipstad, Roy Shipstad, and Oscar Johnson, the show combined theatrical spectacle with vaudeville-style entertainment to create an accessible family-oriented experience. In 1937, the production embarked on an early touring schedule across Midwest arenas, including stops in Kansas City, , Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, as it expanded from its Tulsa origins. Logistical challenges were significant, particularly the use of portable ice rinks that required careful setup in non-refrigerated venues and transportation of the cast, costumes, props, and scenery via bus during harsh winter conditions. Initial reception was mixed due to a flu that hampered opening night ticket sales in Tulsa, but the show's innovative blend of athleticism and humor quickly garnered positive critical and public acclaim, with attendance starting at around 5,000 per performance and rapidly building to regional popularity as word spread. This early success validated the viability of touring ice spectacles, drawing enthusiastic crowds to subsequent Midwest engagements.

Growth and Peak Era

Key Performers and Signature Acts

One of the most iconic acts in Ice Follies history was the comedy duo , consisting of Swiss skaters Werner "Frick" Groebli and Hans "Frack" Mauch, who joined the production in 1939. Dressed in Alpine , they specialized in routines featuring eccentric tricks such as Groebli's cantilever spread-eagle and Mauch's rubber-legs maneuvers, which delighted audiences with their humorous physicality and precise timing on ice. Their performances, blending with skilled skating, became a staple of the show for over a decade until Mauch's retirement in 1954 due to a debilitating bone condition. Richard Dwyer, billed as "Mr. Debonair," emerged as a leading male performer starting in 1950, captivating crowds with his suave style and elegant pair skating routines. Over his 30-year tenure with Ice Follies, Dwyer partnered with multiple female skaters in sophisticated lifts and spins that highlighted grace and technical prowess, earning him a reputation as the epitome of debonair charm in ice entertainment. His act contributed significantly to the show's appeal during its peak touring years. In the late 1960s and 1970s, Ice Follies elevated its prestige by featuring Olympic champions who bridged competitive with revue formats. , the 1968 Olympic gold medalist in ladies' singles, joined as a guest star immediately after her victory, performing lyrical solos that showcased her balletic style and artistry. Similarly, , a 1972 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world silver medalist, signed with Ice Follies in the early for a groundbreaking $1.455 million multi-year contract—the highest ever for a female skater at the time—where her expressive routines drew massive audiences and solidified the show's competitive edge. Complementing these stars were ensemble acts like the all-female , which in the pioneered precision skating elements with groups of up to 16 women executing synchronized formations such as the famed pinwheel routine. These group numbers, performed to lively music, emphasized uniformity and intricate patterns, influencing later developments and adding visual spectacle to the revue's variety format.

Innovations and Touring Expansion

Advancements in portable ice-making equipment following enabled touring ice shows like Ice Follies to perform in various arenas without permanent rinks, allowing expansion of year-round operations and reaching dozens of U.S. cities annually by the . This logistical advancement distinguished Ice Follies from localized rink performances, facilitating a national scale that supported consistent scheduling and broader audience access during the post-war economic boom. Ice Follies incorporated theatrical elements such as elaborate costumes, sophisticated lighting effects, and live orchestras to elevate its productions, with shows typically lasting 2-3 hours and featuring more than 20 acts ranging from comedy routines to adagio pairs and precision skating ensembles. These enhancements created a Broadway-like spectacle on ice, blending figure skating with vaudeville-style entertainment to captivate diverse crowds and sustain high production values across tours. Following , Ice Follies underwent significant expansion, extending to international venues in , Central and , the , , , and the , including a notable performance in an ancient amphitheater in . This growth culminated in peak attendance figures exceeding 60 million viewers by 1966, reflecting the show's widespread popularity and cultural resonance. In parallel, Ice Follies adapted to emerging media by appearing in television specials during the , including annual network broadcasts that highlighted excerpts from its live tours and introduced skating artistry to home audiences nationwide. These appearances amplified visibility and drew new fans to the live productions without shifting focus from the core touring model.

Merger and Transition

Acquisition and Combination with Holiday on Ice

In the late 1970s, the Ice Follies faced financial pressures that culminated in its sale, reflecting broader challenges in the live entertainment industry such as escalating operational costs and shifting audience preferences toward televised sports and other media. These difficulties prompted the owner, Chicago-based businessman through Wirtz Productions Ltd., to divest the production. In 1979, Irvin & Productions acquired the Ice Follies and the U.S. operations of Holiday on Ice from Wirtz for $12 million, with the purchase handled on behalf of toy giant Inc., which sought to expand into family-oriented live events. The acquisition marked a pivotal shift, integrating the Ice Follies into the Feld family's growing portfolio of circus and spectacle productions, initially under Mattel's oversight but with day-to-day management by Irvin and . In 1982, the Feld brothers bought the company back from for $22.8 million, gaining full independent control. To streamline operations and leverage combined resources, the two shows were merged in 1980, forming Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice Combined Shows as a single entity. This union pooled talent rosters, production assets, and touring schedules, launching two unified touring units for the 1980-1981 seasons while initially retaining the Ice Follies branding alongside Holiday on Ice in promotional materials. Post-merger, operational control centralized under the Feld organization, diminishing the independent creative autonomy that had characterized the Shipstad and Johnson era. The combined entity operated from a new subsidiary, Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice, which coordinated logistics, casting, and choreography across North American arenas to address the financial underperformance observed shortly after the 1979 purchase. This restructuring aimed to enhance efficiency amid rising expenses, though it signaled the end of the as a standalone venture.

Shift to Branded Productions

Following the 1980 merger with Holiday on Ice, shifted the Ice Follies' format toward licensed, theme-based productions, beginning with the launch of Walt Disney's World on Ice in . This inaugural branded tour premiered on July 14, 1981, at the in , integrating Disney characters such as , , and into elaborate skating routines that blended traditional ice follies elements with storytelling from Disney films. This evolution expanded in the 1990s and 2000s through adaptations of popular Broadway and musical intellectual properties, transforming the shows into narrative-driven spectacles. Notable examples include on Ice, which debuted in 1995 and toured through 2000, featuring Olympic skaters in roles like Dorothy and the while recreating key scenes from the 1939 film on a custom . Grease on Ice followed in 1999 as a co-production with Troika Entertainment, starring as Sandy and incorporating high-energy skating to the musical's rock 'n' roll score during a North American tour. Later, High School Musical: The Ice Tour, produced in association with the and directed by , ran from 2007 to 2009, adapting the Emmy-winning Disney telefilms with ensemble skating numbers across the U.S., , , and . To enhance these productions, incorporated advanced during the and , including video projections for immersive backdrops, for dramatic scene transitions, and innovative lighting to synchronize with skating choreography. These elements were prominently featured in arena tours accommodating over 10,000 spectators annually, elevating the shows beyond vaudeville-style revues into experiences that appealed to broader family audiences. As of 2025, continues to operate these branded ice shows as part of its portfolio, with ongoing tours like presents Frozen & and new productions such as presents Let's Party! scheduled for the 2025-2026 season across 36 cities. While the original Ice Follies name has largely been retired, occasional revivals and thematic integrations maintain its legacy within family entertainment offerings.

Legacy and Impact

Influence on Ice Entertainment

Ice Follies played a pivotal role in establishing the ice revue as a staple of mass , pioneering a format that blended athletic with theatrical spectacle, including elaborate costumes, lighting, music, and choreography. Launched in 1936 by founders Eddie Shipstad, Roy Shipstad, and Oscar Johnson, it was the world's first large-scale touring ice show, setting a template for variety performances on ice that emphasized precision, humor, and grandeur. This model directly influenced subsequent productions, such as the , which premiered in 1940 under promoter John Harris, and Holiday on Ice, which began in 1945 and expanded the format internationally. By the 1940s through the 1960s, Ice Follies' success inspired a wave of similar revues worldwide, including European pantomimes and later adaptations like in 1981, solidifying the genre's appeal as accessible family . The show's extensive tours brought to audiences in urban centers and remote locales alike, fostering widespread interest in the sport and elevating its cultural status. By 1969, Ice Follies had drawn more than 60 million spectators across the and , a figure that underscored its role in transforming from a niche Olympic event into a mainstream phenomenon. This massive exposure helped cultivate public enthusiasm, which in turn supported greater investment in training programs, Olympic participation, and the development of professional pathways allowing elite skaters to extend their careers post-competition. Ice Follies also advanced synchronized skating through its signature ensemble, the Ice Folliettes, a chorus line of approximately 36 female skaters who executed highly coordinated routines featuring formations like kick lines and rotating pinwheels. Debuting in the early 1940s, these performances predated the formal emergence of synchronized skating—initially termed "precision skating"—as a competitive discipline in 1956, and their popularity helped lay the groundwork for its adoption in organized competitions by the 1970s. The precision and teamwork displayed by the Ice Folliettes influenced the sport's emphasis on intricate group maneuvers, contributing to its recognition by bodies like U.S. Figure Skating. Economically, Ice Follies stimulated growth in the ice sector during the mid-20th century by necessitating large-scale production teams, including skaters, choreographers, technicians, and support staff for sets, costumes, and logistics. Its annual tours across dozens of cities not only employed hundreds directly but also boosted ancillary jobs in arena operations, transportation, and local hospitality, while encouraging the construction and maintenance of ice facilities to accommodate such productions. This sustained thousands of positions in the skating and industries over decades, underscoring the show's broader contributions to workforce development in a burgeoning field.

Notable Alumni and Cultural Reach

Several notable performers from the Ice Follies transitioned to influential roles in figure skating and entertainment after their time with the show. , who joined the Ice Follies following her 1968 Olympic gold medal, later became a prominent television commentator, serving alongside for ABC Sports and for 28 years starting in 1981, covering major events including multiple Winter Olympics. Similarly, , who signed a record-breaking $1.455 million contract with the Ice Follies in 1973 after her 1972 Olympic bronze, exerted significant coaching influence in the Midwest; champion skaters trained under her guidance at facilities in Rockton, , contributing to the development of regional talent. The comedic duo , Swiss skaters Werner Groebli and Hans Mauch who starred in the Ice Follies from 1937 onward, left a lasting legacy in humor that extended beyond the rink. Their signature cantilever lean and pratfalls inspired references in popular media, including recurring nods in Charles M. Schulz's comic strips during the 1970s and 1980s, where emulated their style. Their routines also appeared in films like Silver Skates (1943) and Lady, Let's Dance (1944), cementing their influence on ice comedy. The Ice Follies extended its reach through media adaptations, beginning with the 1939 MGM film The Ice Follies of 1939, which starred , , and as a skating troupe navigating fame and personal conflicts, incorporating real Follies performers in elaborate ice sequences. Later, television specials brought the show's spectacle to broader audiences, such as the 1966 presentation hosted by featuring acts like the Beattys, and a 1979 highlights special that showcased Olympic medalists including . A 1981 joint Holiday on Ice/Ice Follies TV production further highlighted Fleming as a guest star, blending live performances with broadcast entertainment. Cultural artifacts from the Ice Follies endure in museums and archival collections, preserving over 50 years of its history. The World Museum and Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs houses an Ice Follies exhibit with original costumes, videos, and memorabilia from its early Hollywood premieres, illustrating the evolution of ice revue aesthetics. Additional documentation appears in institutional archives, such as the Historical Society's collection of photographs, programs, and spanning 1922 to 1972, which fan enthusiasts and historians use to chronicle the show's touring legacy. These resources highlight the Follies' role in American entertainment, with preserved items like sequined outfits reflecting its glamorous production values.

References

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