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Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music, and song.
Still reeling from two hours of unapologetic dance moves accompanied by superior vocals and instrumentalists, I am trying to decide what I loved most about this trifecta performance, and I am hopelessly torn. The youthfulness of the actors definitely played a role in the high-energy performance that kept the audience in automatic praise mode throughout every scene, but the staying power of this twenty-year legacy that began with Michael Flatley and his original principal Irish Dance choreography is definitely the underlying theme for greatness.
In following every scene, it is obvious that the actors which comprise the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe, are consummate professionals who seemingly came out of the birth canal with unbridled cadence and overdeveloped lungs, however, I can’t imagine how the instrumentalists acquired the ability to carry the performance on their own sans dancers and vocalists without lifelong training and discipline. The truth is, that according to their bios, this international cast boasts of actors who individually have acquired fame, honor, and recognition through their own discipline and motivation in their own right, and collectively have amassed an incredible and impressive amount of awards for their talent. Having said this, I’d be remiss not to acknowledge director John McColgan, producers Julian Erskine and Moya Doherty, and Composer Bill Whelan, as well as the entire staff for this theatrical masterpiece.
The scene and performance that stood out the most was the testosterone-infused dance completion that pitted the male principals against each other. More than a contest, it was a display of creativity, endurance, and training ground for carving diversity out of indifference and it transcended all elements of bias. To be honest, though, every element of this production was outstanding and worth seeing over and over again as it proved time does nothing more than add opportunity for greatness and twenty years seems to solidify the fact that “Riverdance” is still flowing in Irish greatness!
Now performing at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas thru March 25th
