The Natural
May 1, 2011
By Scott Kindberg (skindberg@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

Adrian Rosenberg admits to not being too fond of heights. He even says he fears it.

But the Pittsford resident appears to be about ready to conquer that fear.

In a big, big way.

One of the featured performers at next Saturday's Excellence On Ice at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, Rosenberg, 18, has recently been offered the professional skating opportunity of a lifetime from Disney On Ice.

And he's anxious to fly with it.

Literally.

When you're asked to play the role of Peter Pan, the self-proclaimed "boy who never grows up," on a nationwide tour, well, you have no choice but to forge ahead to fulfill a life-long dream, phobia and all.

"This show is a brand-new show,'' said Rosenberg, a Jamestown Skating Academy student for seven years. ''A big part of it will be a Peter Pan production. They hook you up to a cable and you do a flying routine."

"I have a fear of heights, but I'll get used to it."

While a contract has yet to be signed, Rosenberg expects to do so within the next couple weeks.

"I think it's such a unique opportunity,'' he said. "It gives me a chance - besides the travel and meeting all these people - to break the mold."

In other words, instead of following the traditional path of teenagers after high school - Rosenberg will graduate from McQuaid Jesuit in June - he will now be able to purse his professional ice skating dream.

"The more I've skated, the more I've realized it was something I could do with my life,'' he said.

His resume certainly supports that ambition.

A freestyle gold medalist and a two-time national competitor, Rosenberg has been performing at a high level ever since he hooked up with JSA co-directors Lenel van den Berg and Kirk Wyse seven years ago.

"They've been my mentors through this whole thing,'' Rosenberg said. "They've mentored me as coaches and helped me set my goals for skating. Once I realized that competing wasn't the thing I wanted to do, they helped guide me through the whole (Disney On Ice) application process."

Of course, van den Berg and Wyse know a thing or two about professional ice shows.

Van den Berg is a former seven-time national champion of his native South Africa, was a member of his nation's international figure skating team and he also toured professionally for seven years with Holiday On Ice.

Wyse, meanwhile, toured the world, starring with Holiday On Ice and the Ice Capades for 18 years before beginning a full-time coaching career. In 1996, he was the choreographer of world champion Todd Eldredge.

"They know everything inside and out about the business,'' Rosenberg said. "The major advantage for me getting into the show is them.''

"Adrian is a performing natural," Wyse said. "The Disney On Ice production team loved his audition DVD and responded immediately that they wanted him."

Area skating enthusiasts will have a chance to see Rosenberg perform at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. next Saturday when he and the rest of the JSA students perform in what van den Berg and Wyse describe as "America's most spectacular community ice show."

Rosenberg, who will be appearing in Excellence On Ice for a fifth time, will perform two solo numbers - a routine from Aladdin and a routine to the music of recording star Usher.

"Every time I go out there (during Excellence On Ice),'' Rosenberg said, "it's a whole new experience to me because (van den Berg and Wyse) manage to keep it refreshing and new."

The annual ice show has also given Rosenberg, the son of Gary and Graziella Rosenberg, opportunities, most notably the one that is coming up with Disney On Ice.

"I got my first taste of performing in front of a big audience and feeling the high of the applause from Excellence On Ice,'' Rosenberg said. "It gave me a very small glimpse into the world of the professional skating world."

"I think he was 12 when he first performed in Excellence on Ice," said van den Berg. "He skated to the Bee Gees 'Stayin' Alive' and he stopped the show. A new ice show star was born. Trust me, his performances this year will not disappoint."

VIP seating will once again be featured for Excellence On Ice. Flooring material will be placed around the perimeter of the ice accompanied by tables adorned with linens, hor d'oeurves, wine, and soft drinks. The arena seats will be utilized for reserved seating. Concert-style lighting will be provided by APG of Fredonia.

VIP on-ice tickets are $30 and reserved arena seating tickets are $10 or $12.

The box office at the JSBIA is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To reserve tickets by phone, call the Excellence on Ice ticket line at 484-2624 or reserve tickets online at www.JamestownArena.com . Excellence on Ice is sponsored by The Post-Journal, the Warren Times Observer, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Wegmans, and SE-93.