Have a skate time

I found a show that I can wholeheartedly recommend for the entire family this holiday season. The Victorian-style restaurant and showplace at Lily Langtry’s is featuring a colorful, fast-paced and hilarious piece of entertainment called "Winter Wonderland — A Holiday Ice Spectacular."

Just about everyone loves ice-skating and this show is loaded with world-class figure-skating talent, all beautifully choreographed by Ryan Hunka.

Lily Langtry’s dinner theater in King of Prussia has showcased exciting Las Vegas-style productions since 1981. The beautiful restaurant-theater features 30-foot-high garden skylights and decor depicting turn-of-the-century San Francisco. Balconies circle the stage.

The dining area is meticulously clean and every table has a good sight line of the stage. The audience area is roomy but not too large, and you have no trouble seeing the expressions on the performers’ faces.

One of the big hits of the evening is the delightful cuisine. Under the watchful eye of manager Phil Peluso, Lily Langtry’s in the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel is a first-rate restaurant that serves generous portions. The mixed drinks were a bit potent, but I didn’t hear any complaints.

The entertainment is just as satisfying. The performers deliver fluid choreographed dance routines that have an eye-popping mixture of precision and form.

This show features Rosanna Tovi and Andrei Bannikov, an impressive skating couple who begin with a well-executed ballet danced to an aria sung in English and Italian. It leaves no doubt about the quality of skating that will follow.

Other skaters of note include Natalia Kanounikova, Ashley Wyatt and Scott Foster. Kanounikova is a three-time medalist in the Moscow Championship and was the principal skater for the Moscow Ballet on Ice International Company. Foster began skating at age 12, touring Europe, Japan and the United States. Wyatt, a native of Kansas City, is a skating coach and has appeared in several productions in Asia and the United States.

To keep the evening on the light side, "Winter Wonderland" showcases the talents of two comedians. They prove a point about which I’ve always been a stickler — you can be very funny and downright hilarious without being risqu� or offensive.

Comedian Jason Neistadt began his career at age 16 as a finalist on America’s Funniest People and, since then, he’s performed at every major hotel and casino in Las Vegas. He not only writes great material but, using a hundred different voices and facial expressions, he delivers a punch line like few comedians can. His endless catalogue of impressions includes Johnny Carson, Bill Clinton, Jack Nicholson, Willie Nelson, Elvis and Kermit the Frog.

Matt Marcy, a magician/comedian who also has Vegas experience, rounds out the team.

I have only one major objection to a minor skit: The show opens with a nasty scene in which a Nancy Kerrigan-type skater is menacingly threatened and then beaten by a stalker. I can’t imagine what the producers were thinking. This skit is completely out of touch with the upbeat holiday content of the show and needs to be cut from the program.

Everything else about the show and theater is quite enjoyable, including Lily Langtry’s acoustically perfect wraparound sound system, IntelliBeam and RoboScan lighting, and an expanded stage area. The multicolored VariLites enhance the onstage action.

Lily Langtry’s is featuring a Sunday brunch with Santa Claus this week and Dec. 19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy a lavish buffet display with all your favorite breakfast and lunch cuisine. Santa will visit each table for photo opportunities.

You also can celebrate New Year’s Eve at Lily Langtry’s; two dinner and show times are offered.

The early party is for the entire family. Doors open at 4 p.m., dinner starts at 4:30 and the show begins at 6.

Doors open for the late show at 9 p.m. Dinner is at 9:30 p.m., followed by an 11 p.m. show. An open bar is available along with dancing after the performance. Tickets are $99 per adult.

Winter Wonderland — A Holiday Ice Spectacular
Lily Langtry’s Restaurant and Showplace
Radisson Valley Forge Hotel
1160 First Ave.
King of Prussia
Matinee and evening shows Tuesday through Sunday
877-783-LILY
www.lilylangtrys.com