Ice skaters on the State Theatre stage?

What sounds impossible becomes reality at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton. "The Holiday Ice Spectacular" features world-class figure skaters performing to holiday favorites on the more than 100-year-old State Theatre stage.

Sean Wirtz and Cristen Cowen are a pairs skating team with "The Holiday Ice Spectacular" production. Both were raised in figure skating families.

Wirtz grew up in Toronto, Canada, and has two uncles who represented Canada in figure skating in the Olympics.

Cowen grew up skating in Spokane, Wash. Her mother skated with the "Ice Capades," a popular touring figure skating show in the 1970's and 80's.

"Growing up, my mom loved telling me all the fun stories about the 'Ice Capades' and life on the road," says Cowen. "Those stories influenced me to want to give it a try, too."

Wirtz and Cowen are partners not just on the ice rink, but in life. The two are involved romantically and professionally. "We are dating and we get to work together," says Cowen. "It's really exciting."

They are quick to mention that pairs skating is a challenge for even the most experienced skater.

"Pairs skating is difficult," says Wirtz. "It takes a lot of practice, a lot of timing. With pairs, you have to be on the same page at all times. You have to be on point."

Cowen adds that pairs skating is also fun: "I like to fly high up in the air."

For "The Holiday Ice Spectacular," Wirtz and Cowen perform a "Nutcracker" skit, where Cowen plays Clara and Wirtz is the Nutcracker.

"The show is filled with lots of great holiday selections like that," says Cowen. "It's a really happy and fun show."

"This is our first show like this together," says Wirtz.

"It's new for us, getting to visit the theater-style venues. We get to connect with the audience on a more intimate level.

"Plus, it's Christmas time and we get to share that spirit with the audience. We are really lucky."

Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132